The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1904-03-24
An Accepted Apology.

Dafina The lste var Pistshufa yoert
msp he'd soosh, military hopors. and aos
II, before the ciose Of she vsr. hsd sscs'
I'd . commission - second iieutsnsnt
sad vss ordered 10 Washington, III
dited himself oul With everything b
ahoosht il pecsssAsy for 90 army tthes'
TO have snd started for The capital. relates
writer 10 the N.tiousi 0usrdsmsn.
Getting on the tssin st Pistsbu'g, b
iouod = vscsp, ses', took Cd his ssord,
eIscsd 1, 10 the parcel holder above and
sent into the smoker awhile.
When hs re,orned he found bis sts'
'sksn BY 30 elderly gentleman in civilian
clothes. snd soioe up TO him, ssid;
Etcass me. cir. bat you have taken
my sssL
l beg yonr pardon. cir. replied the old
o. man. did no, know IL vss occupisd.
DO 700 zee my sword thesef snd The
,ieutvnAnt pointed sdmirinsly 10 Gths
golden. .pissed toy over his head. yell,
,hsi Is mice. without more edo The
gentleman took the sect 10 front, and the
yonne iieu,snsp, sst down by his precious
sword.
A ies ttstions farther on smother col
sier entered the car, leaving on the plst
form his old parents. Who were depend
log on him - beir only support. This
soldiers uniform vas isr from new, there
we're many holes and tears thst showed
shere . Vomsn's deit fingers hsd been
busy With thread and needle, aud Il vss
= privste's uniform As be came 10 be
.a,nted the lieutensnt and then took the
only other vacant seat iu the csr. the one
beside tbs old man
Where ere you going, my boyf ssked
tho old man.
To Washington. cir, TO join my reei
uent, Who ere TO be mustered ont
hsve been home on sick leave and sm
going bsck TO set my discharge. tbs,
they msy not take me for q deserter.
Who are the old folks you ere leaving
there on the PLATFORM
My father and mother, they came TO
bid me God speed and . quick return
They have suffered much during the three
years have been away. for l sm their
only support.
The mother Looks % though she was
trem bling With cold.
She IL. cir, she is but thinly clad. my
pay IS . private soldier hss not been
sufficient to properly clotbe snd feed
them, will soon be back now aud then
tbings will improve.
The old gentlsmsn vent down in bis
pocket snd briogiug forth . we'll 6lled
wallet, took from It bill OF lsrse denomi
os,ion which be handed to the soldier.
There. nv boy, take that, and buy
your mother the clothes che needs, ]
en- going TO Wsshins ton and II you will
give me your meme and regiment. | will
see that your discharge 10 forwarded to
you, then when the war is over como to
Harrisburg and ! will give you . posi-
tion that will enable you to take good
care Of your parents.
Thank you. cir. thsnk you. but Who
shsll l ssk Tor when 10 Hsrrisbnrs2
Ask for O O,uch. old Couch, every body
there knows him.
Then the train pulled ont Of the sts
tiop where the trainmen had been taking
dinner. tbs young man left the csr and
the old man stood up 10 remove bis over
cost. Az be did 90 be revealed to the
eyes OF the astonished lieutenant two
small stars. worn on either side OF bio
blouse. II was Mi. Gan. Couch, Of The
Pennsylvsnis reserves.
The Lieutenant, seeing the position 10
which be had placed himself, lesned for
ward snd attempted to spoloeiz.
l en- afraid ! appeared rude, tis, ne
beRAn. IL did not know vas address
ioe 90 ofii ser or / should not have spok
en- % l did. / had Just recently receiv
ed my commission and vas feeling 90
good over il thst / attempted to SHOW
too a much authority. hope you will &C
oec. nv spoloov. 1or I assure Won II has
taught me . lesson
Young man. and the general spoke
Iood enough for .ll those 10 The csr TO
bear. when did you get your commissionf
Lust Friday, cir.
L,st Fddsy, snd today 10 Tuesday
Lst me zee, one-tvo.thret -'our-fse = nse
days, isn't in Your apology 10 accepted,
il .skes sny pup nins days to get its
eyes opeo.