Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-30
sPARLEz vOUs FRANCAIs:"

said and that he understands how much it
means
For Buckner the incident was a turning
point. For the first time his eyes We're
open to the full meaning and consequence
| of the decision which he had made that
| morning. The mail which would carry his
resignation to the Secretary of the Navy
had closed. If he could only withdraw that
resignation! 1t was now too late to get it
! from the mail Well, then, he could board
the afternoon train which carried the mail,
| go to Washington and beg the Secretary
! to throw his resignation into the waste
basket. He would do it. He would with
draw that resignation whether his state
seeded or not. But would the Secretary
the question!
Buckner hurried away to the railway sta
ton, feeling in his pockets as he ran to
discover whether he had money enough for
his fare. Yes, in that he was fortunate
He had not asked for leave. He felt him
self foreigner nowssuntil the fatal resis-
nation should be withdrawn and DESTROYED,
He had no more rights at the academy, not
even the right to ask for days leave
He was no more one of them, but indeed a
stranger. He had read It in the faces of
his friends. With these thoughts surging
within his heart he reached the railway
station. Breathlessy he sprang upon the
platform. There was no train in sight
There was no one at the ticket office: the
grating was down, the window closed. The
last train for the day had gone! This was
Saturday. There would be no train on the
morrow. Sunday. On Monday morning the
secretary would open the superintendent s
envelope and his fate would be decided
while he was too far away to make a nro.
test On Monday who could tell how many
OF his friends would be going off to the de-
tense OF the government. a course In which
ms insane folly had precluded him from
joining? - oA-
There was still one chance. Buckner,s
MIND was made up in a moment He set
determined race toward Washington, and
at rapid pace he started to walk the
forty miles, following the rails which he
knew must lead him thither. And as he
walked thoughts and nisgivings surged in
his brain Should the Secretary go to the
Navy department on the next day. Sunday,
all was lost! If ever Billy Buckner prayed
In his life 1t was as he strobe along the
track in the direction of Annapolis Juno
ton. and the burden Of his prayer was
t Ma1,o the Secretary Of the Navy. Gideon
that he would not approve of opening the
l. Navy Department on ethe Sabbath day,
even were the enemies of the government
at her very gates.
Before the opening ejhour on Monday
morning, he reckoned. he could make the
distance. He would prneeed as far as pos
sible that afternoon ana evening and far
into the night, Then he would rest a part
Of Sunday, and, walking again the rest of
the day and night over the weary, dizzytng
ties. he would 50 them in time. He was
sure ne could do MS pst; only the Sec
4
paper.
minatfng and planning Buckner reached
ANNAPOLIS Junctiap. HA did not know how
late it was when De stepped from the track
to the deserted little stRtion and Law down
In the shadow If the projecting roof to
rest. He feared 70 sleep. He might sleep
too long, and even as lie declared that he
would do no more.than Jest. the weary soul
was of and awaysin the land Of dreams.
The dawn was gray when Buckner
awoke. He rose hastily and took up his
line Of march again, only making sure
that he was walking toward Washington
and not back again to Annapolis. He had
not tasted food since the midday dinner Of
the day before, and he felt weak and faint
There was water to be found in the branch
which flowed through the wood. but the
month of April does not furnish food In
either garden or orchard, and Buckner
felt that he should never reach the haven
OF his desires, unless he could find some
thing with which to satisfy the cravings Of
hunger. In the distance he saw a negro
hut, and, leaving the track, he approached
the door and asked for piece Of bread.
The uniform Of the naval officer seemed "a
the mantle of the righteous to the poor
slave woman. whose husband was workinr
afar in the field.
Use got some cone pone, honey said
she. and little hawss ct We kin eat sich
She gazed with Amusement AS this voune
lord OF creation seized upon the humhle
rare and rayenously deyoured II and she