The National tribune., 1902-02-27
WHO GOES THERE?
Continued from first rage.I

company, and showed astoniShment that a
raw recruit, in less than two weeks, should
gain such standing. i thought it advisa-
bic to say TO him that your education had
included some military training, and he
was satisfied" The Captain had dropped
his official manner. 1T is clear to me,
JCnes. that you are more nearly veteran
than any of us. i know that you have
been in danger and have been wounded.
and your uniform. which you were wear
ing then, showed signs of the very hardest
service. l have little doubt, sir, that you
have already seen battle more than once.
But, Captain, all that may be true and
yet do me no good at all. | am 4 different
man."
Since you allow me to enter into your
contidence-which / appreciate beg to
say that your fears are not unnatural; L
think every man in the company has them.
And | dare say, as friend, that you feel
fear more sensitivcly because you live in
the subjective; you feel thrown back on
yourself. Confess that you are exclusive.
Il am forced to do so, Captain"
''The men would welcome your compan-
ionship, SIR
Yes, sir; but it is as you say: l feel
thrown back on myself"
"And think-though of course | would
not pretend to say it pOSitively-that Is
why your fears are not unnatural, though
peculiar, L ldICl tnii YOU HlSHt'il th'iI
by your self-cOncentration. The world and
objects in it divert other men, while your
attention is upon your own feelings. Par
don me for saying that you think of little
except yourself. This new old experience
of battle and peril You apply without dl-
luton to your soul, and you wonder what
the effect will be. The other men think
of other men, and of home and of thou
sand things. You will be all right in bat
IL II = 1I,n lion, of hpf
tie will be good for you, sir; it will force
you out of yourself"
81 have tried lately to take more inter
est in the world of other men and other
things" | said.
Yes; l was glad to see you playing
marbles today. Shall / give you that
test?"
Yes, sir; if you please"
81 think, however, that you have al
ready given proof that you do not need
it, said he.
How so, Captain?"
"Why, we've been talking here for 10
minutes since | proposed to test you, and
you have shown no suspense whatever IN
regard to it. Have you lost interest in
itY'
Not at all, Captain; I have only been
waiting your good time"
"And therein you have shown fOrtitudc,
which may differ from courage. but | do
not think it does. l am confident you will
at once reject my proposition. | don't
know that | ought to make it; but hav-
ing begun. I'll finish. What | propose is
this: | will assign you some special duty
that will keep you out of battle-such as
guarding the baggage, or other duty IN
the rear"
I was silent. An instant more, and 1
felt hurt.
'Wby do Won besitate?
Because l did not think''-I stopped
in time
"I know, I know" said he, hastily;
"and you must pardon me; but did you
not urge me on"
Il confess it, Captain; and you have
done me good"
"Of course, Jones, you know that ] did
not expect you to accept my offer, which.
after all, was merely imaginary. Now,
can you not see that what you fear is
mems opinions rather than danger! You
are not intimidated at the prospect Of bat
tle''
Il fear that I shall be-" said l.
"And yet when | propose to keep you
out of battle, your Indignation seems no
less natural to yourself than it does to
me-"
"Is not that in keeping with what
have said about my fears"
"Oblige me by explaining"
81 fear to show you my fear. DO
not refuse your offer for the purpose Of
concealing my fear?"
"And to conceal your imaginary fears,
You accept the possibility-the strong pos
sibility-of death" said he gTavely.
"Yes," I replied; 81 do now, while
death seems far. but what / shall do when
it is near is not sure.
"You are very stubborn said the Cap
tain, in stern voice, assuming again the
relation of an officer.
81 do not mean it that way, Captain"
"You have determined to consider your
self n coward, or at least to cherish fear;
and no suggestion l can make seems to
touch YOU
81 wish / could Danish fear" said l.
"Well, sir determine to do it. Instead
of exerting your will to make yourself
miserable, use it for better purpose"
How can a man will? How can he
know that his resolution will not weaken
in the time of triaiF"
at is by willing to do what comes next
that q man can again will and will more.
Can you not determine that you will do
what you are ordered TO do? Doubtless
we shall march tomorrow have you not
decided that you will march with u.s."
Il had not thought Of so simple a thing.
OF course, Captain, expect to march"
"And if the march brings us upon the
battlefield, do you not know that you will
march to the battlefield?"
81 expect to 90 into battle, Of course,
Captain. If | did not, should have no
fear Of myself"
Have as great fear of yourself as you
wish. DO yOu intend to run away when
we get into battleT'
81 have no such intention; but when the
time comes may not be able to have any
intention at ALL
AT what point in the action do you
expect to weaken?'
How can | have any expectation at
all? 1 am simply untried, and fear the
test"
You can determine that you will act
the man." said he. Then, kindly: II
have no fears that you will do otherwise,
but'-and here his voice again became
stern-"the determination will rid you of
your present fears. Exert your will, and
this nightmare will CO."
"Can a man will to do an unknown
thing in the futureT
"You can. You can drive away your
present fear Of yourself, at the very
ieast"
"How can / do it. Captain?"
81 shall give you one more test"
''DO anything you wish, Captain; only
don't propose anything that would con-
firm my fear"
Look at me-now. am going to
count three-understand"
eyes, sir"
"When l say three you will determine
to continue i'll your present state of
miHd''-
mo, no, Captain; I can't do thatr'
'Why, you've been doing nothing else
II