The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-07
GEN. COUCH AND THE LIEUTENANT
A story with n sound Moral for All
New Made Title Holders to Mark.

Gen. Darius Couch. who. during the civil
war, commanded the department of the
Susquehannah stationed at Harrisburg
was fine old school gentleman, simple
and courteous in manner, caring not in the
least for ostentation or display. One day
in the Gate autumn of 90, wearing as usual
an old SLOUGH hat and light civilian over
coat over his stripes and epauletles. he
boarded a train at Washington for Har-
risburg. and casually dropped into the
first unoccupied seat that he came to. He
had been sitting there but a moment when
a dapper young officer. resplendent in a
new uniform, came along, touched him on
the shoulder and said:
Il beg your pardon, sir, but you have
my seat"
II saw nothing to Indicate that the seat
was taken" politely responded the gem
eral
For answer the youthful official pointed
to the rack above. containing his sword
and grip.
The Older man arose and with a word
of apology took a seat farther forward.
A few stations from Washington the
train was delayed some time and Gen.
Couch became very much interested in a
little group OH the platform. 1t represented
just one of the homely little tragedies with
which the days and weeks were filed dur
ing the war, but 1t somehow touched the
generals kind heart in an unusual man
ner. An emaciaed and sick looking boy
in blue and grey was taking what looked
like a final farewell of his father and
mother, both of whom wore the delicate,
pinched, hard-worked look of very poor
country people and the mother especially
was scantily clad.
Presently came the last kiss the final
grasp of the hand, and the soldier entered
the-car, followed by the restrained, yearn-
ing gaze of his parents.
Gen. Couch beckoned to the young man
to take the seat beside him and immedi-
ately engaged him In conversation. Find
ing that he was on his way TO join his
regiment after a leave of absence on ae-
count Of sickness the general exclaimed:
"Why, man. you are not 1T. You can't
perform the duties of a soldier; you need
more time for recuperatlon."
Il know it," responded the youth, "but
my furlough is up; / can't get a dis
charge. and If I do not report for duty
l shall be branded a deserter. There is
nothing for me to do but TO go back TO
my regiment"
Now, look here, my boy" said the gen
eral, you just get right off at the next
StdNloil anu 20 DUCK TO your IdNnsf ana
mother and remain with them until you
are entirely well. ] will attend to getting
your discharge. and when you are At for
duty, come to Harrisburg, and 1 will
have some place for you by the way
bring your father along with you. / guess
can get something for him to do that
will pay him better than his farming -
Then followed plans and explanations un-
til the station was reached and as the
soldier boy was leaving the train the gen.
eral slipped ten-dollar bill into his hand
saying; Take home to your mother a
nice warm shawl"
The smart young officer in the rear had
not failed to take in the situation, and
became exceedingly Interested in the little
drama When, however, the removal oil
the overcoat revealed the generals rank
and later he caught the sound Of his name
his interest changed to uneasiness and
ehagrin After the invaded soldier left
the train. he again touched the general
on the soldier, but this time with quite a
different air from his former aggressive
| ness.
Gen. Couch" said he. will you allow
me 10 apologize to your
For what?" asked the general: 81 dc
not see that you have any occasion"
But l wish to ask you to pardon my
rudeness in demanding my seat"
"Oh, that's all right" said the general
| 1T is not of The slightest consequence
! But how long have you been a leuten.
anti" cycling the spck and span uniform
"Only since Tuesday" replied the Off
| Ger.
Hum" said the general. let me see
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
four days. Wen, remember. young man
1t takes a puppy nine days to get it's eyes
open" d. t. Davis