Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-08-02
CHAPTER XXI.
A CHAT WITH THE COLONEL.

gNS as as so soon tna as ,ew we sieS geaepe' 1,s
men and shirkers who had remaine'
behind began to croak story sup
posed to have filtered from the colonel
tent through several intermediate
that the colonel had been in a rag
about the explosions Of my relics Il
our old camp. that had made him sup
pose the enemy were shelling us a
we evacuated the post. and that he wa
going to make an example Of the guilt.
party. Sure enough. we had not beel
In camp more than two hours whel
the orderly sergeant Of our compan!
came to our tent and said:
'"The colonel wants to see you tw'
at once"
We looked at each other and tried t.
smile, but failed.
1T seems to me-" said /. that ou
share of the fight at the fence ought t.
mitigate our punishment-I mean m!
own punishment. for you did nothing
in that shell affair but tell about 1t
like a fool. suppose that even nov
you'll try to make the colonel belieV'
that you had some share in it, so as t.
shield me-"
81 wish could" replied Brainart
meekly. 81 wish ! hadn't told OF j
when the colonel was so mystifiet
about the shots. but really it did seen
for the good Of the service"
you're too good to live" said l
"Come along. hope you'll come II
for some share of the punishment, yol
unspeakable lunatic."
Nevertheless for a corporal to b.
summoned by his colonel has a sober
ing effect. 50 fought down my feel
ings and tried to assume bold from
as dragged Brainard across th'
parade ground.
y "Pass them in. sentry" said the colo
mel from the open front Of his tent Al
we drew near. We stopped at the ten
flaps. saluted and stood at attention.
"Come In. gentlemen" said the colo
mel, with an odd smile which never
theless seemed not ugly. "Sit down."
Both Of US dropped nervelessly on th'
coiouels camp bed. the only seat Wis
ible. The colonel was handling soma
papers which promptly assumed were
court martial charges against US.
Il was greatly surprised and alst
pleased" continued the colonel, still
handling the papers, "at receiving to
day commissions for both Of you-com
missions as first lieutenants."
looked at Brainard, and Brainard
looked at ME, and 1 don't understand
why both Of us did not drop dead with
establishment. The colonel went on:
81 had hoped to promote both Of yor
In the course Of time, after you haC
reached sergeant'S grade-Brainard
because Of your rescuing your part!
from the enemy after capture and TO
getting that dispatch through to tn
left q few nights ago, and, Frost, be
cause I've learned that you spent 10
of money in trying to get recruits TO
the regiment at the time you entered
it. I'm not the only influence with th
appointing power. Political and othe
strings are being pulled for scores o
my noncommissioned officers, and SOM
Of this sort of work seems to have beel
done for you boys"
"Not for me, sir, that know Of,
said Brainard quickly.
"Eh? Well. SO much the more t
your credit. Nevertheless it's true
You're both commissioned to the Forty
third. 1t seems from letter accompa
nying your commissions that the Forty
third Is in bad way-good men. ba
ofticers-so bad that the command can
be trusted to take the field. A lot o
the officers have been weeded out, an
the governor wished to replace thel
with men from regiments that are l.
good shape and have seen hard service
The senator from your district strongl
recommended you. Frost, and calle
your father up to Albany. and it seem
that your father took with him HAND
some young woman who told an eS
traordinary story Of your bravery an
produced letter in evidence. | can
understand how l, your colonel. faile
to have learned the facts. but
Your cousin May" exclaimed BraiI
ard. Then he sprang to his feet an
hit me between the shoulders with
force which | could not have believe
was In his tiny frame. The colone
looked surprised. and Brainard mul
INJURED 81 beg pardon" and collapsed i
confusion.
1T seems. further" continued til
colonel. that the governor said b
wished he knew Of some other troope
Of equal courage and ability. upo
which the young lady said she coul
name one and straightway praised you
Brainard. without stint and declares
that If you two could be sent togethe
you could end the war. can't imagin
where the young lady obtained he
knowledge of the special requirement
of the service or how she came to know
so much about the soldierly qualities o
two of my corpOrals. but these commits
SiOns are the result"
1--WE can't accept them. sir" sal
Brainard. IF they've been granted O
such hearsay and misrepresentation"
didn't approve of Brainard's I'VE.
He had the right to decline for himself