The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-03-31

Buckner drew near the desk piled
high with mail matter. OH IL he dared
but seize upon every document there and
destroy all, SO that his own be among
them! But the discipline of the trained
Annapolis man stood him in good stead,
and with as calm a voice as he could
summon to his aid he explained the mat
ter of such great moment TO him, to the
chief clerk!
when was that paper mailed?"
Saturday afternoon"
"And you wish to withdraw it?"
Eyes, yes! For Gods sake give It to
mer'
The Chief Clerk was slowly turning over
the mail. Buckner watched him with anx-
ious eyes.
81 don't see it here" he said. halting
ly for he ptied the younger man.
'But it must be there! Oh, do hurry,
please, Secretary Welles may come In at
any moment. Ait There 1t isl 1 know
the envelopes"
Mr.. Welch took up the document and
prescription carefully.
when did you leave Annapolis?' he
asked.
ION Saturday afternoon"
"Oh! on the train that brought this!'
mo, the last train had gone"
"And you"
At walked"
"What! All that way? You walked
from Annapolis 90 Washington to get
that resignation back?"
Buckner nodded. his eyes still fixed on
the fatal paper. The Chief Clerk did not
speak He was so long silent that Buck
per's fears rose sickeningly, but as his
face whitened, the Chief Clerk laid the
discriminating document in his outstretch-
ed hand.
He looked at Buckner for a moment
and then he cleared his throat.
May you fight for the flag" said he,
with the same spirit that brought you
on foot over the long road between An
napolis and Washington"
"And you will not mention 1t Toto"
II shall say nothing now" said the
Chief Clerk. IT have no right to tamper
with the mails, although 1t is within my
province to open the Secretary's mail. In
this case, / don't believe the President
himself would say that / had done
wrong"
The handshake which ACCOMPANIED
these words seemed to Buckner TO place
him again upon the plane from which he
had so lately fallen. lie grasped the
precious paper and hurried from the room
That nervous strength which had kept
him keyed up so long as there was need
of 1t had now deserted him, and he felt
ns weak as a child. He almost staggered
through the corridor and down the stairs
His eyes we're full Of tears.
As Buckner descended the stairs an oil
man was coming up, a man with Ions
white whiskers and a very decided e&.
preston OF mooth. lie closely scrutinized
the uniformed lieutenant
Hey, hey, sir! What are you doing
away from your post, sir?"
Il am just going back to Annapolis
sir" said Buckner.
ITO fight for your flag hope, young
man." said the Secretary thinking OF the
resignations he had received of late.
so help me God" said Buckner, and
passed out with a salute.
History does not relate how Lieut..
Buckner dlspoged OF the restored reslg.
nation, but he reached Annapolis that ar
ternoon by train. and sought the super
intendent ut once 10 tell his story
As he entered those grounds which he
had left IN such humiliation only two
days ago he walked with head upralsed,
and a return Of the old. proud, military
stride. They could "Darlez yOus Fran
Gals" him no norel
Buckner halted for moment ana faced
the stan which stood ~ front Of the old
building where Ne had studied nnd learn.
"a much that ~ knew ~ faish ln and
honor 20 country The midshiDmen we're
drilling. and 90 they started 20 march
boldly IN the parade ground the band
struck upi
no sou belong 10 0ideors bau1f"
Bucknfr raifrd ha bat 8nd fhfn hia
Joyous voice rang Duf, aH be- lpinca in
gfh fhose rfIalna NJ mafilai music.
~ hfiQnE f9 olarQHH banq
Here's mv hsau and fsffa 30 hand,
~ ! hfiQnE iQ NidfoD's bana.
L.gglllF ~ b agmsif