Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-12

been drugged. yet he had had nothing to
eat or drink except the bareback and coffee
shared literally by d dozen men. not one
OF whom had experienced any such Sensa-
ton. The story did not help Norman. 1t
seemed as though he w>-e past help. Ten
days he was held :--:ner guard at the front.
then sent by order to Nashville. where he
seemed 10 have not a friend in the sarri-
son until there came a day that brought
Bob Enyart captain and assistant inspector
general. back from the front. where, as
luck would have it, he had met poor. be-
wildered old Gaffney, heard his story. then
that of the coloners, whom he knew by
re reputation only. and the first thing he did
on reaching Nashville was to ask where
Holt to be found, and then to go and
find him.
Eleven strong sat the court on the mo-
mentous morning when the case Of Nor
man Holt was called, the array having
been reduced from thirteen the result
of the heat and a resort on part or one
OF their membership To unhallowed stimu-
liant, authorized to proceed with the busi-
ness before them. even though reduced be
low the original thirteen. Eleven red-f3ced.
red-sashe1. blue-coated men, and one pal
lid, nerve-racked captain In a flannel sack,
the judge advocate of the court. assembled
for duty, and the latter looked dubiously
on the prisoner as he quietly took his seat
and a calm. sad survey OF his judges In
the exercise of his prerOgative legal
adviser of the accused. as we'll as his prose-
cutor, and with laudable intent to expedite
the action Of the court. Captain PuTdy had
talked seriously for an hour with the young
Kentuckian. tad urged him TO plead guilty,
make a statement setting forth the eXhaus-
tive nature of the duties he had been called
upon to perform for several days prior ID
his offense: to call on his captain. or any
body else he could think Of, for testimony
as TO character. and then throw himself on
the mercy of the court: ITS the best you
car do" SAID he. THE evidence Of the
officers of the guard of Sergeant Shannon
pd others is inilnd convict and 81
court Is always more apt to be hard on
fellows vino fight than those who come out
like little men and frankly admit their
guilt" And to his manifest disappoint-
ment. if not chagrin, the accused had very
respectfully but positively declined.
II was not asleep" said he. IT was
conscious of what was going on around me.
/ was on the verge of a swoon, perhaps.
will not plead guilty.
Purdy had communicated the decision Of
the accused to the court, and that august
body shrugged its shoulders, while the pres
ident. colonel of volunteers, via long
service in the regulars, ominously said "AIi
right" but was manifestly disturbed, ON
looking up from the newspaper he had
been reading, to see among the gathering
spectators Captain Bob Enyart of the head
quarters staff West Pointer. and a man
OF mark and Influence. Whats he doing
here?' asked the president of Purdy.
Says he's interested in this case OF
Hoit's." answered the judge advocate.
'Arcades ambo. 1 suppose. which means
both Blue Overwhelmingly cousins
The colonel frowned 1t never pleases
court to feel that 1t is under supervision.
Headquarters might have to pass upon its
finding and sentence. If so, 1t was OBJ
vIously indicate in headquarters to have
its representative present during the trial
itself. Several other officers had entered
and taken seats, but of them the president
took no account A dozen soldiers were
grouped on the opposite side of the long,
bare room. The guard yawned in the cor
ridor without. The witnesses waited and
wilted in adjoining room-save Malloy.
who with nervous step paced up and down
the hall. 1t Is a gruesome thing to swear
away a mans life. but had he not practi-
caily so sworn already? Could he now
recede from his original reports and state
ments? Would he II he could? The judge
advocate had purposely sent his witnesses
for the prosecution out Of the prisoner
sight as silently. passively, sadly Norman
climbed the stairs from the hot sunshine
OF the outer street. The only hope, help
or consolation that had come to him since
they sent him back from camp and out Of
range Of sympathetic Emmets was brought
to him by Enyart's brief visit. and his soul
had been faint and weary within him. But
EnyartS vehement, urgent words had
sounded the call to battle again. The spirit
out brave defense Of his own good name
and bitter blows at those who would de-
stroy It.
You still adhere to your decision?" asked
Purdy, as he signaled Holt to draw his
chair closer to the table. grave bow
president. the Judge advocate arose. cleared
his throat and In perfunctOry fashion rapid
iy read or the order converting the court,
| and without the faintest alteration OF tone
| o. manner. but as though the formula were
printed at the bottom Of the page. turned