The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-07-19
CHAPTER vii

CHAPTER VIII.
When Brown was released from con-
finemcnt he went at once TO his quar-
tiers, and was accorded warm welcome
by his comrades. He took bath and
changed his clothing. for the guard
houses of frontier military posts are
not noted for cleanliness. and then
went TO report for duty to his troop
commander. Capt. and Mrs, Colby
were sitting on the porch of their
quarters when he came up, and re-
specially saluting the captain and re-
moving his cap he said:
81 am instructed, sir, TO report to you
for duty"
81 am glad of it. Brown" the captain
replied. Il am gratified that the re-
suit of your rash act has not proved so
serious as | had feared | know that
you will kindly receive some advice
from me. for assure you feel more
than ordinary interest in your well
fare"
"Shall retire captain" asked Mrs.
Colby.
mo, my dear. | wish you to remain.
am not going to reprove Private
Brown very severely, nor in the least
humiliate him. just wish to say this,
Brown. You are not an ordinary sol
dier. Your demeanor, your language,
your every act indicates that through
some chain of circumstances, which |
shall not inquire into. you are placed
in position far beneath the station in
life in which you are fitted by educa-
ton and training to hold an honored
place. You no doubt at times deeply
feel the chains of Bervitude which
bind you, and unpleasant experiences
which an ordinary soldier would ac-
cept as n matter of course, awake In
your sensitive nature a spirit OF resent
ment. think understand and be-
lieve can fully appreciate your feel
ings in the recent trouble you had
with superior officer. Your sense of
manhood revolted at the unwarranted
abuse heaped upon you, and in your
rage you lost sight Of your army rank
and assaulted him. That was very un-
wise. The men at the stables were
witnesses TO your alteration with
Lieut.. Vandever. and would have testi-
fed to that officers action toward you
in an official inquiry, and had you qui-
city submitted to his treatment and
reported the matter TO myself as your
troop commander, thorough investi-
CATION would have followed, and full
justice would have been done you.
have but this advice to offer you,
Brown. While you remain in the ranks
you must never lose sight of your po-
sttion, and must submit to annoyances
which YOU would resent in civil life.
Always keep in mind the fact that the
humblest private in the ranks has
rights which his officers are bound to
respect, and that redress for his wrongs
Is provided for by the rules and regu-
lations governing military discipline.
This cloud upon the face of your most
excellent record as a soldier is not in
effaceable, and you can soon be in MS
good standing as you were before the
unfortunate occurrence.
Brown listened attcntively to the
kind words of the captain, and quietly
replied:
II thank you, sir, for the words you
have spoken, and | deeply appreciate
the spirit in which the advice is given.
! assured you when you so kindly Wis
tied me in the guard house that deep
ly regretted my assault upon Lieut..
Vandever, and now repeat it, sir, that
am sincerely sorry did not bride my
temper and seek for redress through
the proper channels"
The captain regarded the young sol
der attentively for moment, and said:
IF asked to do so, Brown, would you
go to Lieut.. Vandever and offer him an
apology for striking him?'
Browns face flushed and look OF
manly independence shot from his eyes
but, before he could reply, Mrs. Colby
with marked emphasis, exclaimed:
Indeed, he would not, Capt. Colby.
This man is "a"
There, there, my dear ! was just
testing the young mans mettle, and his
eyes have answered me-" the officer in
terrupted with knowing smile. 81
had no thought of asking him to humil-
late himself to a man who certainly
wronged him. The testimony given
at the court-martial showed conclusive
ly that Lieut. Vandevers action toward
him was unwarranted, every officer In
the garrison knows IL was unwar
ranted, and the action of the command
ing officer when reviewing the findings
and sentence was re3ulSe to the lieu