The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-12-22


Ro~5evel. AID Secretary OF War Root
his commission as a lieutenant in the
regular army, to which his military
superiors warmly recommended him.
This case, says The New York Word.
is unique in the military history OF the
country.
Because he broke faith with the wo-
n1an he had promised 20 marry the
path TO military disunction-to an
honorable career in the service of his
country upon which he had so prom
isingly entered-is forever closed to
HIM Crawford, says the Secretary of
War. played an unworthy part toward
the woman that loved him Therefore
ne IS unworthy to wear an officers
uniform.
II you have never known that Pres
idents and cabinet officers gave up
weeks to the consideration of the love
affairs of would be ueuterants study
the follow curious and instructive his
tory of Capt. Crawford, who, because
he would not wed Miss Rebecca Doug
lass when he might, could not become
lieutenant when he would.
But in spite of the publicity the af-
fair has gained the reason for the
captains strange action is not even
suspected.
1T is told in South Carolina that
Crawford's military career began, as
1T ended, in a love affair. Some years
ago, It is said the young man was en-
gagged TO bea .Ntffuf gle She Tilted
him and married another man.
hftfprad nv this aXDeii ence CraW-
ford tried to divert his mind by as
suming the editorship of a local paper.
He shortly tired OF this, however, and
decided to end the army. 1t was ar
ranged that he should go to Cuba.
He was utterly desperate. He told his
friends that Cuba might bring him
death or it might bring him distinc-
tion-he cared nothing. And he buc-
killed. on his sword with a fine air of in
difference.
Cuba brought him little opportunity.
But it gave him taste for war. He
returned with the determination to go
TO the Philippines.
The day before he left for the East.
however, he met for the first time the
woman who was to have so strange an
influence in the ordering of his fate.
This was Miss Rebecca Douglass,
charming and cultivated young wo-
man, in whose presence Crawford for
befallen his heart and fell precipitately
in love.
Il feel as If / had known you al
ways" he said to Miss Douglass with
a deep sigh.
She smiled encouragingly.
"Indeed,' protested the impetuous
lover, "if / had know you years l
could not love you more VIII you
marry me? Will you wait for me?"
Now Crawford, as even Secretary
Root will tell you, has the most win
ming face, the most persuasive manner
IN the world.
And Miss Douglass promised.
The next day he was off for the
Philippines with Rebecca Douglass
picture next his heart.
AS for Miss Douglass, she took up
her profession of trained nurse with d
light heaFtedness she had never known
before.
Crawford fought bravely in the
Philippines.
TT is the Thought Of your love, your
pride in me, that has helped me-" he
wrote to his fiancee. Nor did his brave
deeds pass unnoticed.
THAT boy will make a soldier" said
his superiors. Some day he'll be
heard from"
And, indeed, when Capt. Crawford
came back to the United States he
bore as many honors as a man in his
position could have Won No wonder
that he saw fame shining ahead
1t was at Raleigh, N. c.. that the
young man found his betrothed still
engaged in nursing.
Il cannot have you give UP your
time to caring for other people now. .
he said. Il shall need you. Give up
your work, come back to Chester, and
as soon as 1 get my commission we will
be married"
They had not to wait long. The ap-
polntment was soon made and accord
ingly the wedding day set.
Miss Douglass prepared an elaborate
trousseau. The cards were issued. the
wedding breakfast ordered. But when
the day came there was no bridegroom.
Capt. Crawford two days before sent a
letter to the mother of the bride. Just
what is in that letter only the Captain,
the mother, possibly Miss Douglass.
and recently the Secretary of War and
the President, know. On the contents
of that letter hung Capt Crawford s
fate.
Immediately on the notifying
breaking off of the marriage Miss
Douglass left Chester and has since
remained in seclusion. She has talked
but little and will say nothing for pub
location.
sent that her friends made the affair
public by carrying it to the War De-
par tment and demanding that Craw-
ford's commission be withheld.
Pending an investigation their
wishes We're complied with. Then
these friends secured the aid of in
fiuential congressman.
Crawford declined TO make an ex-
PLANTATION TO the Adjutant General be-
yond saying he did not love the young
lady and could not marry her,
On the eve of his own marriage Gen.
Corbin ruled against Crawford, saying
his conduct barred him from that class
Of gentlemen in whi"E .olders of COM
missi""- must belong"
an che absence of Gen. Corbin, Craw-
ford had a personal interview with
Secretary Of War Root and so inn
pressed that official by his manner and
appearance that the Secretary consent
ed to give him another hearing.
1T IS true that I was engaged to
Miss Douglass" Crawford confessed.
1T is true that refused to marry her.
But I had good reasons"
Name them" demanded the Secre-
tary.
Il must decline to do so, said the
Captain, respectfully. "They are in
the possession OF one person only.
Miss Douglass mother. II she is will
ing to communicate them to you / can
have no objection"
Very well, Captain" said the Secre-
tary, I'VE will let your honor and your
commission rest upon that letter"
Which has been the case. After