The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-27
Lieut.. Van SchaIck Has Post
ponsd His Wedding.
ANXIOUS TO GO TO TUE FRONT
Dha't Jill His Sweetheart, but No MAY
Net Get Her Ia Splib St His
BraprL

washington. AaiB- N.-Lieutenant LOUIS
J. Van schaick. young officer OF the
Twenty-seventh Infantry. probably has
lost the girl he wooed and won because
patriotism and love OF adventure i'm
pelled him to postpone his wedding day
to an indefinite date.
The young lieutenant returned TO the
United States several months ago with
one arm literally hacked to pieces as the
result or an encounter with bolomen
while nghting with his regiment in the
Far East
For weeks ne was under treatment at
the Army hospital In this city. numer-
Gus operations being necessary to save
the arm. The last operation was neces-
STATED to strsighten out the fingers.
While recuperating at his old home. In
CobblesviIle. N. r.. ne met pretty Miss
Mabel Crounse. of Aitampunt. a village
near the home OF his youth. They fell In
love. and an engagement followed. Miss
Crounse was making preparations for the
wedding which was to have token place
IN. May.
But just about that time word came to
the United States that serious trouble
with the Moros had occurred. General
Chafree announced that a military dem
onstration might bo necessary In order
10 bring the hostile natives TO terms.
SAW A CHANCE TO FIGHT
Young Van schaick. although still suf-
fering from the ugly wound he had re-
ceived so short a time before. read the
reports and saw prospects for further
fighting and wanted 30 be participant.
He noted that the Twenty In
fantry had been sent to Mindanao. and
he applied to the war department for
transfer TO that regiment.
Approaching the spirit In which the ap-
piication was made and the reason why
a transfer was desired. young Van
Schaicls was detached from the Fourth
and assigned to duty with the Twenty
seventh. Active service in the Philip
pines Will not continue much longer and
/ want 10 see all can Of It," was the
remark made by the lieutenant TO one Of
his friends when asked why he desired
TO 30 back TO the tropics.
His love for the girl OF his choice did
not deter him. Love for fighting pre-
nitely postponed. He wrote her of his
determination to return to the Philip
pines. which brought sorrow to the pret-
ty miss who expected soon TO be led to
the altar by the brave young man who
had captured her heart.
The sequel 20 this postponement came
q few days ago. when DR. Crounse. father
OF the Girl. brought the love affair OF his
daughter and the young officer 10 tho
attention OF the war department. Ac-
companying hts statement OF the case
were love letters which the lieutenant
had written to Miss Crounsc. Previous
TO taking this action the father IL said
to have importuned the young officer TO
hasten the wedding day
DEPARTMENT ExoNERATEs HIM.
After considering the case the war
department decided that IL was not called
upon to adjust the love affairs OF army
officers except where II could be shown
that an officer had acted In dishonora-
BILE manner
The officers OF the department who re-
viewed the case could not find that Lieu
tenant Van schaick had been guilty OF
improper conduct, and IL appeared to
the department that he had not absolutely
refused TO marry the girl. tdt had simply
postponed the wedding date. DR.. Crounse
was notifeS Of the decision OF the war
department and the case has thus been
closed.
whether there will be a reconciliation
and wedding at some future day re-
mains to be seen. At any rate Van
Schaick has a brilliant future before
him. His record during the few years
he has been In the service has attracted
the attention OF his superiors.
His devotion TO duty and his desire TO
engage In active service despite his
wounds has commended him 10 the au-
thorities at Washington. President
Roosevelt. In n speech recently made, said
all soldiers should be anxious to fight. In
the case OF Van Schaick II may be said
that II there is 10 be any nghting he
wants TO be In IL.
VAN sCHAICK's RECORD.
He entered the academy at West Point
six years ago. and was dropped after a
short time because OF deficiency in mathe-
matics. This did not discourage him.
lie wanted to be a soldier In Uncle
Sans army, and through the influence
of Senators Platt Snd Dcpew, he was APP
pointed n second lieutenant In the regu-
lar army by President Mckinley. He had
no sooner received his commission than he
was ordered 10 the Philippines.
There ne soon began 10 figure In dis
patches He was with General Lawton on
his campaigns against hostile natives.
acuuittipg himself with distinction He
was twce recommended for medal OF
honor II was near Liam that he. with
detachment. ran into 80 bolomen. when
he practically stood them all on alone.
He was siashed across the leftsa with
n bolo knife. the blow almost severing
the forearm. The nerves and tendons
were cut rendering the arm useless and
necessitating several months treatment
IN hospital Among other exploits for
which ne has been given deserved marks
was the rescue OF private from drown
ing nj the risk OF his own life.
John Van schaick. formerly a state
senator from the Cobblesville On. " dis
trict. is his father. and the Rev. John
Van schaick. pastor Of Washington
church. is a brother.