Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-09-10

BYJULA B. REED


time IN his life Reuben B.. Nisbet faced
/ Robert E. Lee.
Before his commander he spread his
papers Lee read them through carefully
and with a sigh pushed them one, side;
Colonel. there Is so much of this-I
cannot pardon them all. The uncle is un-
mistakably guilty, and the boys-well,
! they are guilty, too"
( General, / do not plead for the uncle.
that craven and reprobate; but for the
bOys-the boys whom he lured away. For
the boys whom he taught deceit and cow
/ ardice-for the /fatherless, motherless
boys, I do humbly make entreaty.
'Oh, General Lee, II the God Omnipotent
hal called you to your far away home and
/ with the same touch. had laid the woman
dearer than your life by your side, and
those two boys whom with dying breath
you entrusted to your mothers son should
By that one who promised to guard and
protect. be corrupted into towards"
''Gcd forbidI'
lament A thousand times amenl But.
\ oh. General Lee, II they had been your
sons instead Of Sam Danton's, how would
you, from those heavenly heights look
down upon the man in whose hands the
| nation had put the privilege OF leading
hack your boys to honor and to man
hood, should he rather choose the right
i TO consign them to a grave streWn with
shame and garlanded- with disgraceF'
''NSisbet. Nisbet. your zeal runs away
/ with your Judgment Duty is the subhmest
i word IN the language, and there is no
question where lies mine"
General, Il was love that came down
L from heaven to redeem you and me-love,
/ not duty. 1T is love. love, love that makes
Il the world go round but, General, IL you
stiIl read It duty. here is the place where
love and duty kiss each other"
49, mvrN anw
the tread Of the chief.
General
Lee was startled; he had forgotten that
he was not alone
Nisbet's arm was uplifted. his eyes
bright with tears, his voice quavering In
Its pathos:
General, that father and mother are
waiting TO see you overshadow their de-
fenseless children with your power"
General Lees head sank on his breast
\ and tear unbidden 'coursed down his
cheek and fell among the papers beneath
his hand.
Nisbet stepped nearer. triumph hashing
Il IN his eye: E4E IN
The. smile on Lees face was sadder than
tears: .tf ~
'Let him have the reprieve. Mr.. Adju-
Il tant Colonel Nisbet has damned up my
4 Judgment and let out my heart"
The great leader held out the, precious
paper that bore his seal su.E
"Ah, Colonel Nisbet, were only sure
that am doing right in giving you thisi"
MY word for IL. sir, the name Of Dam
ton will yet be on the honor roll. The
lads viii make two of your bravest men.
Their future IS in your hands, make
/ the most OF II. Colonel Nisbet, If you plead
for some woman's heart as ardently as
you have entreatcd for mine, you will win
Il the fairest In your land Of fair women.
'sAh. General Lee, did that long ago
/ and II was her love that urged you TO
mercy today. What I am, she made me.
II ever my voice has the ring of an angel
note, II is only the echo of hers rs, e.'
A touch OF the cap and he had passed
out Of the tent, the reprieve safe IN MS
4 bosom. s-ttff
Friday morning was bitterly cold and
| the sleet struck the earth like mystic
note amid those weird. deathly strains
4 coming from over the frozen fields. There
sounded low accompaniment.the
crash. crash! OF soldiers feet upon the
| ice.
The Seventh Georgia formed three sides
OF a square: on the fourth was a driven
stake and a snow-filled grave.
Many rough coat sleeve hid the tears
OF men who smiled at cannon when the
poor wretch knelt IN front Of his comm
and strong hands bound him fast.
The gallant slade was lieutenant of the
/ guard mOElillb anu 90 NJ Poo'cN ~
onel Nisbet whispered: 49, s-.,
For meIcy.s sake. Chess, be quicki
Don't let him suffer-
1 ssF'freg'
The first line Of the guard wheeled and
the second took its place. MI, ,e-f
| Fire.
Alex Danton fell back. his fingers dig
gtng in the ice in dumb agony. one hand,
for a second. thrown up in mute appeal,
then falling with a thud across the CONN
| lid. f.a z, 4,
And big Chess slade, who knew not fear.
now white as the snow at his feet, stood
trembling like little maid, his eyes riv-
eted upon that crimson streak. =. s. 4,
The band struck up Dixie" the march
ing feet kept time, while the fast falling
snow spread a spotless shroud over the
dishonored man.
Death had left on him
Only the beautiful
In q low corner of an old cemetery
wnere the sedge grows rank is a half
sunken grave. broad enough for two to
rest in On the upper edge of the head
board one reads in well worn letters:
Brave Jack and Fred DantOni
Ye died wellP'
The clover nestles against the words
and the butterflies hover above the grass;
the birds sing here their jubilates and
the sun spans the grave with bow.
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