Evening star., 1900-12-15

so buOyantly away into the night, bent on
deeds that were to teach the zoe to repent
this invasion of WouId-bc neutral SAFE.
There was no enVying OF the detected rag
ments that came stragglng back. FIRST TO
arrive was the main body, probably little
more than ha.f the OrIglnal force, led now
by Lieut.. Tanning, ana bring ng with them
one prisoner and a dozen different tales OF
disaster There was but a single point on
which everybody seemed united. Disaster
always demanding victim, the Wnoie
blame was rested by them on the shoulders
of their treac herous guide who had pur-
pOseIy led them by roundabout road had
given warning to the enemy's pckets in
front of Asholt, ana secre;cd h.mself in the
ShTUbDery when the attack began. COwed,
said they, by the loutenants pistol, he had
guided them homeward a much shorter
way. CAT least, 50 ii seemed, and certa My
it took far less time.) But they had left
behind them their brave captain. two lieu
tenants ard haIf the mon, some killed, some
wounded, but all doubtless IN the enemy 5
hands, and had had terrible ride for 1t
gettir g back. Some Of the men did not
scruple to declare they had cut their way
through overpowerins forces of southern
horse who Nered the country in all d!rec-
tions. All maintained that d great army
was advancing upon them from beyond the
Hardin hills, and that the sooner they
sought shelter in the forttcations of Louis
vile the safer they would be. Some few
went so far. in fine. as the fortilications
themselves, without the informed ate for
mality of reporting to a commander at
BardStoWn or other point. But this, too
was very early in the war days before the
western American had begun to realize that
the time had arrived when he could by any
human possibility be called upon to obey
any other will than his own, unless he felt
like it. The armies of the north had yet
to learn the lesson of discipline and sub
ordination The day fast com ng when,
individuals, they could hardly believe
they were the same who swarmed into
Kentucky during that fall Of 81
was "A rough ride for Wings uadron
but just as Wing had foretod. it was going
hard with Norman Holt, held to be re-
sponsble for the entire failure. He had
heen turned over, prisoner, by Lieutenant
Tanning to the commanding officer of the
Union camp, had been arraigned before
that high official the following morning by
which time dozen more of the squadron
had come riding or footing it leisurely in,
saying disdainful things of the comrades
who had run away and left them to fight
the whole gang, but there were no officers
with these stragglers and while what they
said as to being left was entirely true, the
weignt of testimony went against them as
II did against Holt, who had no friend at
court, who had not a soul to aid him when
accused of deliberate treachery. The one
officer to be heard upon the subject was
Lieutenant Burnett Malloy, whose influence
was dead against the accused" OF the
squadron Lieutenant Tanning and a ser
gaant testified that they heard Captain
Wing say he expected treachery on the
par. of the guide, and had heard him
warn Holt that If they failed 1t should
go hard with him. There was no one
to speak for the guide The colonel list
ened In gloomy silence to the statements
OF the various persons interrogated and
when the brief preliminary examination
was over, despite Hollis protestations of
innocence and his plea not to be put un-
der guard. orders were issued that, for
reasons concerning the personal safety of
the accused soldier, he should be sent
forthwith to Louisville. under heavy escort
there to be tried for his crime To keen
him another hour al the front was smplv
to invite lynching.
That was a black night In the career of
Norman Holt, but no blacker than the
Christmas day just gone by. In bitterness
OF heart unspeakable he found himself
again and again recalling the warmth. the
gladness, tbs hospitality of the Chris. mas
of year agone, his fathers words of
welcome, his genial toast to one and all
Peace on earth and good will toward men.
and may we meet again, one and ALL within
these walls another year" Good God,
What had that meeting beeni What had
not loyalty cost him! And to what end
to what good? Only his own abasement!
On rude Platform car, surrounded by
armec men who had heard only the cruel
stories at his cost. Norman was joited
back to the junction and thence northWard
to Louisville. The dawn of another day
was upon them as the party climber stiffiy
to the ground in the crowded station yard
He had spent nearly forty-eight hours with
out sleep, was broken in heart, health and
hope. He felt that fate had arrayed all
her forces against him. that now he ha
killed forever the possibility OF his being
restored to his fathers love and regard
He felt that henceforth he would be con-
J sidsred only as Q son who had purposely.