The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-03-28


indeed to bring him to heel and convince
him he would be wise in future to do
homage instead of slight, aud what
made Loring's Indifference so exasper-
ating was that Strain himself was forced
to see that Loring was not only no fool,
as he admitted, but a man of brains,
courage and ability, which he would
not concede aloud. Strain, sent for at 8
O'Clock by the department commander
to listen to the aids wrathful account
of the interview with Loring, fumed
and fidgeted and strove to ask some
questions to make matters clear, but
Petty was already on the defensive and
did not mean to be questioned, and the
general kept interposing.
Let him tell his tale his own way,
colonel. Let him give you the whole
story, Monterey and all. I" And Strain,
who had hoped to spend the evening
with his cronies at the club and whist,
was compelled to sit till long after 9
and hear the details of Petty's asinin.
ity.
Stripped of unnecessary explanation,
it seems that toe general and Strain
had decided that their dignity and pre-
rogative had been invaded by the sum-
mary orders from Washington, which
were at once criticism of their action
in not relieving Loring, and demand
for an immediate explanation as we'll as
an implied threat that unless that re-
port was entirely satisfactory Loring
must be allowed to proceed. They had
spent an hour or more in the prepara-
ton of the telegram, which finally
caught the wires at 6o'clock; presented
their view of the case, represented that
If Loring left it would be under cloud,
and that he should not now be allowed
to leave because of the fact that his
having resorted to forbidden and insub-
ordinate means to procure his release
was in itself virtual admission that
he feared to stay and face the constant
~ recurring accusations.
1t was very adroitly and impressively
worded, but still the general and chief
of staff felt nervous and i'll at ease.
Down in their hearts both realized that
nothing had been proved against Lor-
ing, and that the chances were ten to
one that nothing ever could or would
be. What was more, both were begin
ming to realize that Loring had been
badly and stability treated. Yet this
conviction only made them the more
ready to listen to any story-grasp at
any straw-that lent an atom Of weight
to the case against him. Dinner had
brought no comfort to either, and Petty's
preposterous story, swallowed whole by
the chief while still bristling with the
nervous strain of the concoction OF that
telegram of explanation. had further
upset his digestive powers. The aid
had been sent forthwith 10 notify Mr.
Loring Of the new story at his expense
and to demand his version thereof. Pet
ty was at no time a diplomatic man,
and at this time did not mean to be.
Both in language and manner he con-
trived to. make his mission as offensive
as he dared, for Loring had braved him
SO exasperatingly on every previous oc-
casion that, now that he had him safe
in arrest, he meant to taunt and did it,
but his sneering sings broke harmless
on the polished armor Of the engineers
placid disdain. The madden Petty got
the cooler was Loring, and when Dennis
dropped in just at the close of the inter-
view worse whipped man was never
seen than the aid, who ratified back to
his general, thinking of what be ought
to have said, his wits, like his brevet to
the double bar, coming to him long aft
er the war was over.
He treated me and the generals Or
ders with perfect contempt" said Petty
finally, and the general looked into the
face Of his senior staff officer, hopeful
that Strain would seem properly i'm
pressed But Strain did not. 1t was one
thing for Loring to ignore him, but
quite different when that officer failed
to stand and deliver at the demand Of
4 Petty Strain treated him with scant
respect himself when the general wasn't
around and Lid been heard to say that
generals who allowed their wealthy rel
atives to dictate who should be their
aids were foisting heavy loads upon
the service. 1t was nearly 10 o'clock
his evening was spoiled. He was crab
bed, therefore. and he spoke accordingly.
.'Mr. Petty-I-mean Captain Petty
(Strain, who didn't get one, said a
March, 1867, brevet was Of no earthly
account, and he for one proposed to
ignore them), may i ask what were
your words when you-you have given
us Mr.. Loring s-were communicating
the generals message to him? Were
they, for example. carefully chosen? Did
you observe courtesy Of manner. avoid
ing all that could irritate, Or
''Of course l did. You never saw a
man SO contemptuously, insultingly
cool in your life He JUST
Blu. Strain held up his hand. ~
* .7SlfS.l