Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1903-02-20


energy of despair. "The beating OF
my heart draws echoes from an empty
stomach. | am perishing."
Your name and regiment, soldierF
queried the officer mildly.
"SiIas Thornton" was the answer as
if at roll call, then adding, "Franklin's
contingent"
Removing a heavy cloak, the ofticer
threw it over the sentry's shoulders,
likewise taking off his gloves and
furred overshoes, he held them out to
the soldier.
Sentry, retain these until / shall
send for them tomorrow" Saying
which. he passed down the slope
toward the officers quarters with his
companion.
General, you have saved one man
from death for desertion. Did you hear
his soliloquy?"
Franklin, that man would never
have suffered death at my hands had
he gone to the enemy and been
caught"
What an example for the army"
said Franklin with chuckle.
Listen, oh, wise philosopher. said
the other. God alone knows what Is
in the mind of man. What the heart
of that poor sentry expressed, | too
have felt. but guarded the secret or
nv thoughts. have often been moved
to cast away my sword, and let these
scheming, quarrelsOme politicians
fight their own battles. Tonight, my
sentiments are the same as that poor
soldiers. My hopes are stronger than
his. that is the only difference"
The two walked on in silence, until
pressing each others hands they part
ed for the night. Desertion was far
from the sentry's thoughts after mis-
visitors had departed. A careful ex-
animation of the heavy cloak. the
| gloves and the fur boots gave him no
clue to their owner. He donned them
without conjunction. and their
warmth restored his -perishing patri,
otism. I will wait until tomorrow
night" he muttered; there is no
necessity tonight
Toward noon the next day an aid
de.camp entered log hut, in which
were huddled human beings. the flow
err of Washington's army, every step
he took sinking into the ooze of the
muddy floor, and called;
"Silas Thornton"
The soldier tumbled out of his cold
punk of tree limbs and pine bows
drawing his rags around his body to
hide its nakedness, and saluted. The
aid.de-camp smiled pitifully, though he
was as ragged as the soldier, and re
turned the salute.
The officer who loaned you certain
articles of wearing apparel last nigh,
would have you return them In per
son; follow me-"
Straight they went to the headquar
tiers of the commander-in-chief, the
Quaker's old, barn-like house, and into
the presence of Washington, who was
surrounded by his officers, with Frank
lin prominent among them.
Are you more hopeful to-day, my
friend?" inquired Washington. taking
Thorntons hand and pressing it gent
ly. But the soldier hung his head ant
found no immediate answer. At last
General, have returned your gar
ments, the cloak. the shoes and thu
boots" His face flushed, but Wash
ington eyed him with a benevolen
smile CT his counicnance.
keep them, my friend. shall neve
wear such luxuries again, until
There was moisture in his eyes
Come, gentlemen, to dinner. Som
good friend has provided us with |
feast. Nay, Thornton, you must no
refuse my hospitality" Thornton hat
saluted and was about to withdraw
when he was restrained by his com
mander-in-chief.
A wandering pig had been ruthless
ly slaughtered, as thin and lean as hi
human captors, but by long stewinl
with sweet potatoes and turnips. h
made q, savory mess. Pine bari
served as plates, and as the snlokinl