The National tribune., 1902-03-06

I aIN1ItH on W iSHllston. SAID /.
The men discuss every thing naturally,
he replied; Il speculate also. 1t seems
IN me that every mile of Il farther advance
would but take from our strength and add
to that of our cnemy,S. If we could seize
Washington by sudden ailvance-but we
cannot do that, | think. and as far as n
siege, | suppose nobody thinks of it. Even
In sit down here could do us no good, |
imagine; our communications would be al
ways Interrupted &
Then we shall retreat after having
gained Il great victory 2" 4 asked.
1T would give me great pleasure to be
able TO tell you. | am puzzled he re-
piled. The victory may be regarded as
on opportunity TO gain time for the South
to "ccupcrate. if we make prudent demon
strations; hut an actual advance does not
appear possible. Gen. Lee may make Il
show Of advancing; ] dare say we could
gain time by Il pretense Of strength. Does
not such manuvcr meet your view! But
We are fearfuly weak. and our enemies
know it or should know it.
] understood well enough that the Cap
tainS question was but an instance of ms
unfailing habit of courtesy.
Then what is there for us to do! If
we ought not TO stay here, and ought not
to advance on Washington, and ought not
to retreat, what other course is poSsibeE
mere stems nut bUt, SlI- H'dA 'H't
the best opinion leans TO the belief that
Gen. Lee will cross the Potomac in order
to take Harpcr's Ferry and To test the
sentiment of the Maryland people.
What is at Harper's Ferry, Captain:'
Il am informed that there is great
quantity of supplies and a considerable
garrison"
But could such an effort succeed in
the face of an army like McClcllan's|
IF the Federals abandon the place, as
they ought to do at once, | should think
that there would be no good reason for
this army crossing the river. But mill
tary success is said to be obtained, in the
ajority of cases, from the mistakes of
the losers. 1t might be that we could
take Harper's Ferry at very little cost;
and even il we should fail, we should be
prOlonging the campaign upon ground that
we cannot hope to occupy permanently,
and living, in a sense, upon the enemy.
What | fear however, is that the move
ment would bring on another general en-
gagement; and / think you will agree with
me in believing that we are not prepared
for that
"Harper's Ferry is the place John
Brown took" said l.
You are right, sir; 30 You remember
that?"
That is the last thing that I remem-
ber reading about-the last experience l
can remember at all; but in the fight last
Friday there happened something which
gives me 4 turn whenever | think OF 1t.
MAY / ask what it wasE
Il saw q spot which ! am sure-almost
sure-I had seen before
Some resemblance, | dare say. | often
pass scenes that are typical. Near my
fathers home I know one spot which |
have seen in 30 other places"
Yes, sir; l know" said l. But it
was not merely the physical features Of
the place that awOke recognition.
"Oblige me by telling me all about it,
he said kindly.
you remember the position to which
the four companies advanced as siiirmish-
'DistinctIy. We did very well to get
away from it." said the Captain.
And you remember the order to fall
back?"
Certainly. since | took the initiative"
"Well, | did not hear the order. | sup
pose that / fired at the very moment. and
that the noise of my gun prevented my
hearing IT, At any rate, few moments
afterward | saw that was alone, and re-
treated as skilfully as / knew now. The
company was out Of sight. / saw some
signs of water. and soon found branch,
lt n place which impressed me so strongly
that for a moment / forgot even that the
hattie was going on. ] am almost certain
that had quenched my thirst at that spot
once before. Besides, there was an extra
ordinary
Jones" interrupted the Captain. ''you |
nay have been in the first battle of Ma |
1assas. Why not? But if you saw the |
llace in last years battle, you came upon !
[ from the east or the south. The posi-
ions of the armies the other day were |
almost opposite their positions last year. |
In 'G1 the Federals had almost our posi- |
ion of last Friday. 1t will be well to |
ind out what South Carolina troops were |
n the first battle. BY the way. Gen. Bee, |
who was killed there, was from South |
Carolina; l will ask Aleck to tell MS what
.eciments were in Bees Brigade"
Captain" said |. "when | saw that |
mot | felt as though had been there in
;ome former life"
Yes? | have had such feelings. More
han once / have had thought or have
;een face or a landscape that impressed |
ne with such an idea.
do you believe in succession OF
ives:"
Il cannot say that I slo," he replied;
but your question surprises me. sir. May |
ask if you remember reading Of such
NO. | do not, Captain: but | know
hat the thought must have once been ia
niliaf TO me-"
Il dare say you have read some ro-
nance" said he, "Or. there is no telling,
,ou may have known someone who be-
ieved the doctrine; yOu may have be
ieved it yourself. And l doubt that mere
eading would have Influenced your mind
o attach itself so strongly to thoughtful
| find you greatly interested in
philosophy. | think it quite probable, sir,
Without nattcry, that ut college your pro-
essor had an apt student"
But you do not believe the doctrine"
81 believe in, Christ and His holy
postles, sir; believe that we live after
eath"
And that 1 shall be 1 again and
gain"
Pardon me for not following you en-
irely. | believe that you will he you
gain; but my opinion is not fixed as to
nore than one death"
"Do you believe that when you live
gain you will remember your former eX-
DerienceT
Il lean to that belief. sir; yet ! CON
ider it unimpOrtant: | might go so far
S to say that it makes no difference"
But how can | be | if | do not remem-
,er? What will connect the past me with
he present me? | have a strange, elusive
hought there, Captain 1t sometimes
Gems TO me that | am two--onc before.
md another nOw-and that really have
iyed this present time. or these present
ines. in two bodies and with two minds"
.'Allow me to ask if it is not possible
hat your strange thought as TO your
imagined dOubleness is caused by your be
t,at iS IA ilnpf- |