The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-05-23

uOt uOicC lOT ClcIniitiCSS, anu tncn
went to report for duty to his troop
commander. Capt. and Mrs. Colby
were sitting on the porch Of their
quarters when he came up, and re-
spectfully saluting the captain and re-
moving his cap he said;
Il am instructed, sir, to report to you
for duty"
81 am glad of it, Brown" the captain
replied II am gratified that the re-
suit of your rash act has not proved so
serious as had feared. | know that
you will kindly receive some advice
from me, for assure you feel more
than ordinary interest in your wei
fare"
|. "Shall retire, captain?' asked Mrs.
Colby.
"No, my dear, wish you to remain,
/ am not going to rcprove Private
Brown very severely, nor in the least
humiliate him. iist wish to say this,
Brown. You are not an ordinary sol
der. Your demeanor, your language,
your every act indicates that through
some chain of circumstances, which
shall not inquire into, you are placed
in position far beneath the station in
life in which you are fitted by educa-
ton and training to hold an honored
place. You no doubt at times deeply
feel the chains CT scrvitudc which
bind you, and unpleasant experiences
which an ordinary soldier would ac-
cept as q matter of course, awake in
your sensitive nature spirit of resent
ment. think | understand and be-
lieve | can fully appreciate your feel
| ings in the recent trouble you had
with superior officer. Your sense of
manhood revolted at the unwarranted
abuse heaped upon you, and in your
rage you lost sight of your army rank
and assaulted him. That was very I'M
witnesses to your alteration with
Lieut.. Vandever and would have testi-
| fed to that officers action toward you
in an official inquiry, and had you qui-
| city submitted to his treatment and
reported the matter to myself as your
troop commander, thorough investi-
cation would have followed, and full
! Justice would have been done you.
have but this advice to offer you,
Brown. While you remain in the ranks
you must never lose sight of your po'
sition, and must submit to annoyances
which you would resent in civil life
Always keep in mind the fact that the
humblest private in the ranks has
rights which his officers are bound to
respect, and that redress for his wrongs
is provided for by the rules and regu
lations governing military discipline
This cloud upon the face of your mos
excellent record as a soldier is not in
effaceable, and you can soon be in al
good standing as you were before The
unfortunate occurrence"
Brown listened attentively to thu
kind words of the captain, and quietly
replied:
II thank you, sir, for the words yo,
have spoken, and l deeply appreciate
the spirit in which the advice is given
assured you when you so kindly Wis
tied me in the guard house that deep
ly regretted my assault upon Lieut.
Vandever, and now repeat it, sir, tina
am sincerely sorry ! did not bride m,
temper and seek for redress through
the proper channels"
| The captain regarded the young sol
der attentively for moment, and said
"If asked to do so. Brown, would yo,
) 60 to Lieut.. Vandever and offer him al
apology for striking him?"
Browns face flushed and look o
manly independence shot from his eyes
but, before he could reply, Mrs. Colby
with marked emphasis, exclaimed:
Indeed, he would not, Capt Colby
This man is "a"
"There, there, my dear. | was JUS
testing the young mans mettle, and hi
eyes have answered me-" the officer in
terrupted with knowing smile. 6
had no thought of asking him to humil
late himself TO man who certainl,
wronged him. The testimony givel
at the court-martial showed conclusive
ly that Lieut.. Vandever's action TOWARD
him was unwarranted, every officer il
the garrison knows it was unwar
ranted, and the action of thecommand
ing officer when reviewing the finding
and sentence was rebuke to the lieu
tenant which sincerely hope he ma,
profit by. You will report for duty :
your first sergeant, Brown, and l trus
that no similar trouble may ever agail
come into your army life.'
The young soldier saluted and wa
about to retire when Mrs. Colby said
81. have been informed that you ar
an artist, Brown"
"Yes, madam, but very ordinar,
one. A much poorer one than hop
to be some day when again given facil
} tiles to follow an art which l derrl,
love"
J II have a painting in my parlo
: which would like to show you.
J was gift from my mother on my wed
ding day, and l prize it very highly
J! III i Gl.