The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-11
CHAPTER XVIII.


old soldier was commandant of cad,vs
at West Point. and one day one OF his
assistants an energetic young Officer.
came hastily in TO say that he had just
happened upon a cadet duel at Fort
Clinton and had captured one OF the par
ticipants and placed him under arrest
but the principals, seconds and most OF
those present had managed TO escape.
The veteran listened grimly a moment
and then said
Were they actually fighting when you
got wind OF it?'
Yes, sir" was the earnest reply.
Anybody could have heard them"
Um!" said the colonel reiectvely.
Then think you erred in interfering.
Couldn't you have got there just a lit
tie later?"
but the regulations prohibit fighting
sir said the junior aggrieved
Certainly, and your course promotes
H. You see. they were already at IT,
Five minutes more would have settled the
thing one way OF another. and that would
have been the end OF II. They would have
shaken hands and been good friends.
Now neither OF them has had enough.
Each believes he can whip the other, and
those youngsters will neither be able to
sleep nor study till they've fought II out.
Always prevent quarrel when you can,
but once they get going never stop "A
square fight. never see or hear it-until
you know it's over
In like manner a wiser head than that
which dictated the telegraphic instruc-
tions to the department commander that
night would have seen that IL was far
better for all parties In the mix at San
Francisco. IL Mr. Loring had been de-
.aned there long enough to have the
matter Investigated from start TO finish.
and so TO 'nx the responsibility" 1t
was not of vital importance that he
~ ofn kt,s hnx
had been friction between this particu-
lar general and the engineers, between
him and the adjutant general. between
him and the secretary of war between
him and the division commander then
temporarily absent and a general who
differs with so many eminent and astute
authorities as these enumerated must
occasionally err In judgment.
Had Loring staid and been accorded
n complete investigation the chances are
that he and the general would have
shaken hands and parted friends for |
both had sterling qualities But orders
given in compliance with orders from su- |
periors are some times given only grudgirg-
ly The general had heard In that brief |
interview with his late at night callers |
enough TO convince him that the |
harshest charges laid at Lorlng's door /
belonged elsewhere. But there were |
things Loring had been too proud to ex-
plain-there was his insubordnate-so
the general regarded it appeal over his |
commanders head TO the bureau IN /
Washington; there was his defiance OF his
envoy and representative, Captain Petty: |
there were lots of little things that ruff
filed the dignity OF the veteran autocrat
especially the somewhat peremptory tone
OF the dispatch from the war department
and the general felt himself wronged by
his superiors.
Strain. too. suffered in his own esti-
mate. and Petty was fuming with pent
up wrath and hate against that cool.
supercilious, contemptuous upstart Of
an engineer. Who In blazes was he, any
how? What was his family? What his
social status? demanded Petty to him
self. even though he knew that these
were matters whereof our democratic
military system took no thought what
ever. 1t is the proud boast OF the Amer
lean army that neither wealth nor name
nor ancestry can count In the long race
for the stars. In these glad days OF
peace and national prosperity the officer
is speedily taught that promotion is the
result OF only one Of two things-patient
waiting or political influence.
And so IL resulted that when Walter
Lor.ng steamed away southwark on the
long run for the states he left behind
an unsettled fight. three or four az
grieved officials-aggrieved because OF him
or his Affairs and their mismanagement
OF both-and one inveterate enemy. He
had plenty of time TO think II all over
after he was fairly at sea, but none be-
fore. He and Dennis needed every mo- !
ment TO get his belongings aboard and
his business closed. He called upon the
general as directed and stood In respect
ful silence while the choleric warrior
paced up and down the room and ex-
planned his position.
He wished Mr.. Loring 70 understand
that while he felt that the young officer
had behaved with disrespect, at least with
disregard OF his commanding general, the
latter was too magnanimous 10 stand in |
his way. and had therefore determined
the evening previous TO release him from
Srrest and from duty that he might lose
% time In Joining" his new station,
even went so far as 10 say ne had found
much. very much, TO commend I'm the
young gentleman and his performance OF
duty In Arizona, and but for the unfor-
tunate entanglements that had resulted.
would have taken pleasure In making
public announcement OF the fact
He could not but deprecate the conduct
OF Mr.. Loring's friends in Washington,
and might find II necessary 10 appeal to
the president for Justice Meantime, how
ever. he desired Mr.. Loring to know that
70 personal consideration had actuated
his conduct He had done what he beIiey-
ed TO be his duty, and then. like tke ora
tor. the general paused for reply.
Mr.. Loring stood In civilian dress and
soldier attitude. hat I'm hand an attentive
listener, never interposing a word or haz-
arding a remark When the general stop
ped, the lieutenant remained silent and l.
standing The general looked perturbed.
halted and glared. as much as TO say.
why the devil don't YOU speak,"
thing Loring never did when he had
nothing 90 say. The chief found II neces-
rary TO begin anew, but broke OF pres
emily. You understand. do you not?"
Yes. sir" said Lorlng
Then suppose-you' very busy
have many things TO DOR
only one. sir"
''weil. I won't detain you. II wish
you well. Mr. Loring. and-and-bon
vvyagel" Ana the general strove 20
smile.
Thank you. general Anything else.
SIR"
The general stood and could think OF
nothing. II believe not" he replied, "un-
less-however. never mind; won't de-
tain you
GOOD day. sir" said Loring. and
a -