Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-01-20
TEN YEARS TRIAL
The Story of a Soldiers Struggle
BY Brigadier General Charles King
Copyright, 1901. by Charles King.
CHAPTER XX-(Continued.)

Copyright, 1901. by Charles King.
CHAPTER XX-(Continued
The formal muster out of the Wash,
oes was to occur that afternoon. Some
few of the officers, commissioned in
new regiments, were to return to Ma
Mia, certain others were to remain
awhile in San Francisco, but the bulk of
the men would scatter for home soon
after the final ceremony, the governor
and his advisers having decided against
the parade. Melville at breakfast time
read the sensational account in The In
vestigator and the more conservative
story Of The Carbuncle. Within an
hour he was at Langdon's tent and
found the colonel supervising the pack
ing of his soldier goods and chattels.
Each knew what was uppermcst in the
mind of the other, and Langdon bade
his orderly excuse him to visitors few
moments. sent Hurricane to the camp
postoffice and let down the flaps of the
tent.
"That fellow is still in close arrest"
said he, land cannot reach him until
he is released"
"And then? asked Melville thought
fully.
"Then-I shall cowhide him.
"Langdon," said the general after
moments reflection, that's what
brought me out here so early. Read
this first"
1t was letter In Nathan's handwrit-
ing. Langdon took it slowly and with
obvious repugnance, his eyes the while
resting with inquiry and eagerness up
on another missiye, little note that
the general still retained. Opening the
| first, however, he read as follows:
Ny Dear General Melville-A man never knows
how riendless he is, in the army, unless luck has
gone back on him and he is down. am down.
| i see that have mnde bad mess OF it and know
there will be sympathy for me in that court.
] suppose you've seen the detail. It's packed to
convict and in the present exaggerated feeling as
to the relative merit OF the volunteers and regu-
lars my break seems much more serious than it
really was. merely lost my temper and said and
did things that were indefensible, suppose. But
put yourself in my place. have reason to believe
that | was being Disseminated against and that
there to publicly humiiate me. What would
you think to haze your horse backed almost from
under you by private soldier? Pll warrant that
Colonel Langdon would have used the lash quicker
than did. In fact, / hardly struck the sentry
at all. But, OF course it's useless to talk Of it.
They've about convinced Mr. Barclay that the
least can look for is dismissal unless ! get
those charges withdrawn. l am willing to admit
l was hasty, or l suppose / ought to say violent,
and I'm willing to do anything you say to make
amends both to the soldier in the and to the
colonel. written apology, l suppose, is what
they'll want
But Langdon's Indignation rose with
every line.
; ''Why do you show me this? he
asked. ITS contemplate letter It's
unworthy the faintest consideration"
"Well, would you cowhide a mar
j, whose words were unworthy of consid
GRAFTON, Eric? Think over that. Keel
, away from him tomorrow and come tt
I us. Here's another note"
!. And the general sauntered out into
!. the sunshine to chat with the gathering
=. officers and to smile kindly and genial
ly at the men, who never seemed to tire
: of rendering honors to their colonies
: | ALiShu. Lie tiOuShI " s5iNS 1LdhSoOl
: time to read his own letter, but littl,
!. was needed. The dainty note whe1
!. opened contained but the single word:
. Don't"
;.
], That night in the crowded station a
'. Oakland pier the home going Washes
. seemed bent on raising the roof. Tw,
i special trains were there to whirl then
!, away to the mountains. Their few be
= longings were stored aboard, but TIL
:, :. word had passed that Langdon wa
? there to see them off, and the rascal
wouldn't so. Out they piled on tn
;, platform, shouting like mad, and sur
/ rounded him in tumultuous acclaim
They had hoisted him on baggag
truck, and there was only one way t
o silence their clamor. That was t
speak. On the gallery and staircas
: stood throng of people-men. womel
\ and children-sympathet witnesses o
the stirring scene, Melville and his wifi
in their midst, Ethel Grahame wit
flushed cheeks and shining eyes an
. with hands that trembled as the
clasped the rail, bending forward a
though she would not lose word. Ii
stinctively and as of old the Washoe
hushed at his unified hand,