Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-11-11

 ing to show, if necessary to save the prisoners life, were personal letters and nothing more. Stanton knew this, probably, as we'll as the senator, but was wroth that any one else should know it; and furious that an of1cer should dare refuse to surrender them, no matter what or whose they were. Then Ladue's Baltimore friends had sent word across the line that Ladue was to be tried as a spy and hanged whether convicted or not, and an Ala bama brigade declared in reply that they would hang the first Yankee lieu tenant they caught if a hair of PauPs head were injured.
 One thing, it was said, that had made Stanton so forceful prosecutor in the past was the ease with which ! he could always persuade himself of a prisoners guilt, the jury following as the night the day. Something had to be done, he had said, to stop this : wholesale transmission of state and military secrets to the enemy, and victim was demanded. He had mured this confederate officer, caught in civilian dress, in Old Capitol prison. and if he wasn't 8 spy, then he must have neglected his opportunities and deserved to be hanged" What made Stanton so hot against Ladue was that so many women, clergyLnen, church ] people, and others took to pleading for the lad Then it was that McKinnon began to find favor at the war de- partment. Then it was that Capt. Benton's limits were restricted instead of being enlarged. Then it was that soft-hearted surgeons at the Old Cap itol hospital were replaced by men of sterner stuff. Then it was that the Chiltons were notified that they must leave Washington forthwith, and the Squire, bursting with wrath at being forbidden to see the doctor and his daughter, had had brief conferences with Fred, now almost fretting his heart out at the barracks; had learned through an officer of rank in the reg ular service that beyond possibility of doubt Maj. McKinnon was at the bot tom of all these new and most oppres- sive orders; had gone to the white house with a demand to see the presi- dent; had been promised an opportun- ity immediately after cabinet meeting that afternoon; had met McKinnon sauntering down the avenue in com pany with a fellow soldier-1awyer, and had hurled himself upon him then and there, to the end that the major was picked up and carried to Willard's s, the squire escorted to the police sta tion, and the interview didn't come off. It is recorded of the president that when told of the incident that evening, his sad face frightened for the first time in week. "I wonder if the squire would let me make him gen. eral." said he. At least he fights" l That night a soldier of the regular service did thing that, had Stanton known 1t, would doubtless have sent 1 that soldier to close arrest, If not to cell. He was an officer of rank, 8 gentleman of gentlemen, and fellow beloved of his fellow men. Entrusted l with an order to see that Dr. Chiffon and daughter were safely sent to the steamer for Old Point Comfort, suit able guard going with them, he had called on the kindly old virginian late in the afternoon.
 There had been a brief, courteous talk. The officer deeply regretted, he said, to have to be the means of car rying out the order, but he would call with carriage at 8:30. Was there < anything he or his wife could do for Miss Chiffon?
 There is, sir,'' answered voice, and with cheeks flushing through their 1 pallor and eyes that flashed despite evil dence of recent tears, Rosalie Chiffon swept quickly into the room. .'We hear that MT. Benton-SQuire Benton-too, has been arrested and-my aunt will not admit of anything-but feel that 1t is to him we are indebted for most generous aid. Major, wish to see him, to thank him, to-tell him some thing as his daughter is not here. Can that be arranged before we go?''
 eff possible thing" said the major, we'll knowing the squire was out on bail by this time, and would certainly come in person. All the same. he told his wife at dinner of Miss Chilton's s request and, what had not that keen witted army woman already known or surmised?
 | k1c Cd0uOI lodVS UdTI6CkSs Sa1u she, on the spot, "but you can invite him here to your quarters; then bring them here on the way to the boat and leave the rest to me-"
 He cannot leave! Why, my dear
 he isn't in barracks. The police
 begins the major, obtusely.
 Major! You ask Capt Benton here
 and-and-no questions" interposes
 madame with severe and superior wis
 dom. Then bring-her to me-" And
 light begins to dawn on the master and he obeys.
 That evening carriage whirled past
 the guarded gateway of the barrack
 square and drew up at the quarters ol
 the commanding officer. The majol
 stepped forth, rendered his hand to ar
 agile. slender girl who followed hel
 soldier escort to the doorway, where
 with eyes that shone and checks thai