The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-06-15
,moklng on The veranda before turning

smoking on the veranda before turning
In for the night 4. n. n hi
The conversation turned after d while
Into q more analytic channel, and one
OF the speakers remarked that In his
opinion all heroistn was tlnged with self,
ishness. and that all deeds OF bravery
were prompted by egotlsm and the NOR
BID craving for notoricty, fame or,self-
glorlncatIon. 5lI, "A III \
Captain Miller, who had hitherto been
listening unnoticed to the conversation.
hearing the different garblcd reports OF
an action the details OF which he knew
so well, sprang 10 his feet and addressed
himself to the youthful fcynlc who had
undertaken to discuss the ethical aide
OF Hobson's herolsm. lE n.
May ! ask who YOU are, sir?" asked
Captain Miller, In n courteous and dig
nihed manner. but In n voice quiycring
with suppressed anger and emotion. He
waited for the answer and then replied:
Il am Captain Miller, commander OF
the MerrlTac, l overheard your remark
and wish to tell YOU that have known
Lieutenant Hobson for years. I was his
professor at the naval academy, and
have ever since been close TO him. IEager
and anxious rs was to be allowed the
privilege OF taklng the MerrImac Into
the Santiago channel. felt certain
pride In Admiral SIMPSONS selection
of Mr.. Hobson. I knew him 70 be
man fearless and brave, devoted TO his
duty and his country. There Is not ono
particle OF seltishness in Mr.. Hobson's
makeup, assure you, and on the night
that he sank the Merrimac he went forth
to meet certain death without n sin
gle thought OF self. Now, beg you to
contradict the statement you Just made.
Won't you please retract III"
Captain Milicr's words were listened
10 In silence, and q graceful PREPARATION
was expected for the thoughtless and
nasty expression that had called forth
this Just, but polite, rebukc.
Ear from It, however, the lconoclnstic
and arSumentative young man stood
his ground, and refused 10 allow Can
tain Miller's opinion to override his own
right to free thought and It's expression.
u For fully fifteen minutes Captain MIL
Ter ccndescendcd to argue with his oppo-
nent. and repeatedly invited him to take
correct and lofty view Of fierolsm, but
to no avail. u
The evidence on both sides was In, and
the young man proceeded to the sum-
ming up OF his case with what he com
sidered n telling and crushing blow.
You don't mean to tell nc, captain"
he said, that II a man with home tics
or engaged affections Is ordered to carry
out desperate plan In which sure
death is his only material reward, and
that man does not funk. but obeys his
orders, his real motive for SO doing and
the only voice that prompts him to do
what you call his duty. is not the voice
OF selflshness, the ambition and vain
glory Of having his name 60 down to
history as a hero and q martyr, do your"
Sir" answered Captain Miller. bow
Ing, II have no desire to waste my time
answering questions by man OF your
convictions. beg these gentlemen's
pardon for having lntruded, but, as a
representative OF the United States
navy and friend OF Mr.. Hobson's,
would advise you to walk down to the
dock and drown yourself. / can now
realize why you don't understand what
heroism means. Good night"
Captain Miller walked away, and CALL
ed for his key to his room, wondering
II the young man would have the hero
ism to carry out the water plan of self
destruction he had prescribed. but it Is
safe to say that his courage failed him,
as he has been seen alive and dry since
daybreak. s5