Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1896-01-15

ierky, somewhat hIn6rlcaneke draw
he ordered the scout to stand aside.
Then tie question was put to the pris-
oner, Well, Sergeant Yorke, what
have you got to say for yourself?'
! Itwas Il rather remarkable thing that
the officer trying the case should never
look at the prisoner. Perhaps it was as
we'll Who knows but that beneath the
almost harsh demeanor, the too strict
and stern sense of discipline that nearly
always characterized his bearing toward
/ those whom he officially came in con-
tact with, there was q tender place in
this man S heart, the existence of which
he was conscious Of, and which was al
ways menace against the proper carry
ing out of an all too rigorous policy
which he erroneously considered it his
duty to pursue? Doubtless he erred on
the side of duty, and true to the adage
that extremes meet" his policy was
productive of much that initiated
against a healthy moral tone and that
4 sense Of honor il. is essentially necessary
should prevail in appellee force. But,
/ regarding The man himself, at heart he
was a well meaning man, and to any
one who could see beneath the surface
| Of things, who could read Alright the in
! tonation OF voice or the glance OF an
eye, no matter how harsh and severe
they seemed, there was much that was
coed and even likable in him. He was
one Of the stern sort. He doubtless was
sorry when he saw good man come to
| grief, but he never said so. Perhaps II
o little of the suaviter in modo had
come more naturally to him he would
have been more popular than he was.
No man living need think that he can
rule solely by the fortiter III re. In the
natural order Of things it cannot be-
the darkest tragedies of history are writ
ten in the blood Of tyrants. In justice
to this man, however, be it said that III
his heart there was 10 hatred toward
his fellow man; it was pity he should
be so afraid of that better self which
was most assuredly in him. Itwould
not have detracted from the dignity or
power of his position. A beneficial and
lasting influence would thus have been
exercised, instead Of mistaken and
pernicious species Of terrorism that did
hundred times more harm than good
And now there was a significant 81
fence in that orderly room, and every
eye was turned inquiringly on the ac-
cused With the more than lightning
like rapidity of thought Harry Yorlze
had realized the position in which he
stood.
He knew that as Inspector Bounder,
with his usual shortsightedness, had
seen no tracks of a woman's feet lead
ing from the house door, it would be
dangerous for him to say to the presid-
ing officer that he had not looked for
tracks; he-Sergeant Yorke-had there
fore only to say that the girl must have
escaped from her bedroom window or
by some back door, and he could clear
himself Of the responsibility, for the
officer s cc1rmandS had been given, spe-
officially enough, to watch the kitchen
door from the room IN which they lay,
but given only when the girl had made
good her escape. But to Sergeant Yorke
there was cnly one thing that was evil
dent, and that was, whatever cCnstrIc-
tion he might put upon his conduct, he
could never be otherwise than guilty in
his own eyes. To make a clean breast Of
the whole affair would be to commit a
palpable absurdity that the law did not
demand, that no one would thank him
for, and that would not only incrimi-
nate Marie ST. Denis, but would not
mitigate his offense. Such a course was
not to be thought of. Again, if by using
that prerogative which wisely enough !
is permitted the British soldier, of mag
ing the best defense he can for himself, /
he utterly upset the inspectors charge |
which, being wrong to begin with,
could have easily been accomplished /
and he proved that there was in reality
no ground for conviction against him.
would it be conducive to his self re-
spect? The very idea of denying the fact |
of having aided the flight of Marie S.. !
Denis seemed in itself the most objec !
tionable treason. 1t was like denying |
taken place, he felt was we'll worthy of
his respect, and who, indeed, at all |
times, was occupying very great share
in his thoughts. Deny her, indeed =
and his denial Of this charge would be
akin to it. He felt it would better be-
come him to draw attention to the base
insinuation Of the commissioned cad
who had, to further his own selfish ends,
aspersed the fair name of pure mind
ed girl. Deny the charge, indeed, and
God given thought suggested to him
that old world scene, where in the court
of the high priests palace fond but
faint hearted follower stood warming
himself III the chill dawn by fire OF
Goals, but whose love, alas, was not
proof against that significant, soul
searching question, did not see thee
in the garden with him." For the an
swer came back, with an oath, 81 know
not the mani as he denied the Master.
What more simple or comprehensive
in this world s history than such les
son? How could he again look that girl
in the face, knowing that he had lied
30 save three paltry stripes? There was
sin enough against him as it was. Now