The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-04-25

do, or who is more prompt ct rccoSniz-
ing their rank than ! when meet
them. Lieut.. Vandcver came into the
quarters an hour ago just as was
leaving the room, and saluted him rs
was my duty. A moment later ! was
standing on the porch just outside the
door when he came out, and assumed
the position Of soldier and waited for
him to pass No officer who has been
any length OF time in the service would
have desired or expected repetition
of my salute, but the lieutenant stepped
up and shook his fst at me and rough
ly said
What do you mean, fellow? Do
you know who am? Why do you not
salute mop
Il tried to explain to him., but he
Grossly told me to smut up, and said he
would teach me the respect due an Off
GER He then placed me under arrest.
Sir, served as private soldier for six
years and was never in the guardhouse
as prisoner, and during my fourteen
years service as a non-commissioned
officer | have never until now been
under arrest, and 1t hurts me, sir. He
humbled me before some of the men of
my troop, but | don't mind that so
much as the disgrace he has fastened
to me-"
us that all that passed between you,
sergeant?'
THAT is all, sir. The lieutenant
used some language that he would be
ashamed to use toward soldier of my
service after he has been in the army
awhile, but do not complain of that.
! wish the disgrace of arrest wiped
from my long record, sir, that is all. 3"
IF it will in any manner soothe your
wounded feelings, sergeant, I will say
to you that | have known you for a
long time and have always regarded
YOU as model soldier. You can go to
your quarters will look into the
matter"
The sergeant saluted and retired,
and an orderly was dispatched to sum-
mon Lieut.. Vandever to headquarters.
The young officer had from his window
seen the sergeant leave the Office, and
instinctively felt that his unwarranted
action had been reported to the colo
mel. He entered the commanders
presence with a tiinid air, and seated
himself ina chair pushed toward him.
Lieutenant, you have placed Sergt.
Barrett Of your troop under arrest
Eyes, sir, for showing me disrespect. I"
"In what manner?"
''He failed to salute me when passed
him, and retorted when reprimanded
him."
Had he not salutcd you in a proper
and respectful manner but moment
beforc?"
Eyes, sir, but then was entering
the quarters. He did not recognize me
when | came out any more than he
would have done one of his own COM
panions."
"In what language did he retort
when you. reprimanded him?"
"He cndcavorcd to excuse himself for
--his--his-hi breach of military iisch-
plinc. His words were respectful, sir
but the expression on his face was
not
"A look of pain at the unmerited dis
grace you. had inflicted on him, or one
of contempt"
Contempt, sir. UnmistalSable con-
tempt"
'Out of respect for your rank, Lieut..
Vandever. the sergeant should have
tried to hide his feelings wish to
say to you, sir, that Sergt. Barrett
was tried and true soldier when you
were pulling infant in your mothers
arms. have known him for many
years. and in all of his long and faith
full service this is the first blot er
cast on his record. He is man f ed
by education and long service to fill u
position above the one you now oc-
cupy. Sergt. Barrett is soldier who
is not at all lacking in respect for his
superiors in rank. We're to meet him
and receive and acknowledge his salute
and on turning around he should sa-
lutte me again, would think he had
been drinking, sir, and would pardon
his excessive manifestation of respect
on that ground. believe l have moth
ing more to say to you, sir, further
than that your hasty order placing this
man under arrest must be instantly re-
volied."
Stung to the quick at this official re-
buke. the lieutenant sought his quar-
tiers. An order was at once sent to the
non-commissioned officer annulling the
verbal order of arrest, and directing
him to report to the first sergeant of his
troop for duty.
Lieut., Vandever and Miss Sanford
frequently met, and it did not take the
young officer long to learn that any at
tention shown her outside the bounds
of ordinary politeness and courtesy
would be met with marked displeasure
He was really desperately in love with
the beautiful girl, and did not despair
of Grousing in her heart responsive
emotion; but her attitude toward him
told him all too plainly that he could
never gain her favor through the me
dunn of light hattery and gallant at
tention which had proved so effective
in transitory love affairs at '.The
Point" He soon ceased to force his at
tentions upon her, and tried to be con-
tent to wait and hope. He felt that his
charm of manner was irresistible-doz
ems of girls had told him so in moon
light wandcrings-andh he did not doubt
that at some future day the fair girl