Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-07-27
PRIVATE HOGAN,
COWARD
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rom The beginning. lie had Ueen sent
out on the mountain road to protect
the citizen iaborcrs who were cutting
telegraph poles. and he had sat himself
down with bis back 10 a rock and fall
en- asleep. There was danger from
maraualng Indians. but he had posted
no piekets.
Private Hogan was new recruit
who had never seen hostile warrior.
and be should have been warned how
to act In case OF an attack. Two hours
had passed quietly away when ten
Sioux warriors Jumped the party.
They attacked suddenly and with
whoops and yells. and the sergeants
guard was thrown into panic and ran
away. All rallied after short flight
all but Hogan. He was thoroughly
frightened and continued hts flight for
mile Then his Irish courage return.
ed aud forced bis legs To take his body
back. and he arrived Just In time 10
help his comrades out OF a bad fix. 4
citizen and a soldier had been Killed
and second soldier wounded. and
Sergeant Davidson quakesi as he
thought Of the report he must make TO
his colonel There was one way to ex-
euse his carebcssncss. and he seized
upon it.
In due course of time Private Hogan
was court inartialcd for cowardice.
lie had run away from the enemy and
left his comrades 10 fight It out. True.
they had run also. headed by the ser
geant and It was also true that Hogan
returned at critical stage aud fought
well. but tie sergeant piled It on to
him at the trial and made out a bad
case against him. He must save his
neck by putting the rope around an
others, and the sentence was that Pri-
vate Hogan be dismissed from the
army for cowHrdice.
Two weeks later he was escorted TO
the gate OF the fort one afternoon and
told 10 SO. As he left the gate the dis
graced man turned toward Wolf creek
and walked away without once looking
back He had made poor defense,
but he knew that he was no coward
and that he had been sacrificed TO
save the sergeant. To be Tins dlsmiss.
ed from the army meant that he must
get out Of the country. As a branded
coward even the squaws OF the half
breeds would be licensed TO spit upon
him.
There was but one house al the cross
Ing of Wolf creek. that OF the Widow
Thompson She had lived there with
her daughter Mary. now a girl OF tweu-
y. for three or four years past. fur
uishine meals TO the teamsters and be-
ing the only postmaster for many miles
around Several soldiers at the fort
were sweet" on Mary. but Sergeant
Dawson was supposed TO have the call
over all of them. His term OF service
would be out ia less than year and
In bis own mind he arranged TO marry
Mary and settle down on the ranch. IL
had been long since the Sioux raided
up Smoky valley. but there was no
telling when they might come again.
and a beacon had been prepared by
the soldiers for the women To light In
case they needed help night or day.
When Hogan reached the postoffice
he sat Down on the doorsteps and let
his chin fall into his hands and did
some thinking. BY and by the girl
came out and found him there. She
had heard of his trial and sentence.
and she pitied him.
Il suppose you despise me the same
as the resti" he said as be knew OF
her presence. but without looking up.
You have been drummed out?" she
queried in turn.
aye. drummed out and disgraced
forever. I'm more OF an object OF con
tempt than squaw man. Why don't
you order me TO go on?"
"See here. Hogan. I'm sorry for you.r
she said as she laid hand on his arm.
You might have lost your head for n
time. but that wasn't eowardIce."
THANK you for that. missy" he said
Us he looked up. with tears In his eyes.
You'll have to 20. but don't be hu.
inflated. Some of the men have hint
ed to me that you might nave made
stronger defense at the trial"
YES, / could have said more" he
unused as he nodded his head, "but
scapegoat was wanted, and ! was ew
to the company and had no chums.
Miss Mary, I'm a mind to- But LET
It go I'm Citizen Hogan, the coward,
and win be till I'm 500 miles away and
among men who'll never hear Of this.
II they'd only have sent me TO the
guardhouse for six months and given
me another CHANGER
Don't fret over It," soothed the girl.
"But TO call me a eoward--me, an
irishman-and TO prove it against me,
can't abide 1t. missy. i can't do it.
II only bad another show I'd make
'em sing a different tune. I'm disarm-
ed and disgraced and turned out. but
I'd go for the Sioux with club II the
Lord would only send EN- this way"
But that can't happen. and I'm tell
| ing you"
She was interrupted by shouts and
shots and the CHATTER OF hoofs. and
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