Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-11

Captain Titlow; "his orders are from
Washington. as mine are from him"
But he can telegraph" interposed Mr..
Davis, eagerly; there must be some mis-
take. No such outrage as you threaten
me with is on record IN the history of ma
tons. Beg him to telegraph, and delay
until he answers"
MY orders are preemptory," said the
officer, land admit of no delay. For your
own sake, let me advise you TO submit
with patience. AS soldier Mr.. Davis,
you know I must execute orders"
These are not orders for IA SOLDIER.
shouted the prisoner. losing all control Of
himself. "1hey are orders for jailer-
for hangman. which no soldier wearing
a sword should accept, | tell you the
world Will ring with this disgrace. The
war is over; the South is conquered. I
have no longer any country but America
and it is for the honor Of America. as for
my own honor and life. that | plead
| against this degradation. XIII mel Kill
me-" he cried. passionately. throwing his
arms wide open and exposing his breast
rather than inflict ON me and on my
people through me- this insult worse than
death"
do your duty, blacksmith said the
officer. walking toward the embrasure as
if not caring to witness the performance.
1T only gives increased pain on all sides
to protract this interview"
At these words the blacksmith advanced
with the shackles. and seeing that the
prisoner had one foot upon the chair near
his bedside. his right hand resting on the
hack of it. the brawnv mechanic made
\ a n Gf
over the ankle SO raise but, az II with
the vchemcnce and strength which frenzy
can impart even 10 the weakest invalid,
! Mr. Davis suddenly seized his assailant
and hurled him half way across the room.
On this Captain Titlow turned. and
seeing that Davis had backed against the
monstratc. pointing out in brief. clear
| language that this course vas madness
and that orders must be enforced at any
cost. why compel me" he said, ito add
the further :ndignty of personal violence
o the necessity of YOU being irOned.'
Il am a prisoner of war fercely re-
torted Davis; II have been a soldier in
the armies of America and know how to
die Only kill me, and my last breath
shall he a blessing on your head. But
| WINE nave htt S'i'iir IL W icSSt,
for myself and for my people this thing
shall not he done
! Hereupon Captain Titlow called in a ser.
geant and file of soldiers from the next
room and the sergeant advanced to seize
the prisoner. Immediately Davis flew on
, him, seized his muskct and attempted to
wrench it from his grasp.
| OF course such a scene could have but
one issue. There was short. passionate
scuffle. In a moment Davis was flung
upon his bed, and before his four power
: full assailants removed their hands from
him. the blacksmith and his assistant had
done thcir work-one securing the rvet
on the right ankle. while tho other turned
the key in the paddock on the left.
! This done. MIR. Davis lay for moment
as il in stupor. Then slowly raising him.
self and turning around. he dropped his
shackied feet to the floor. The harsh
clank of the striking chain seems first In
have recalled him to his situation. and
dropping his face into his hands. he burst
into a pa ssionate flood of sobbing. rocking
to and fro. and muttering at brief inter-
walls. "Oh, the shame. the shame!'-
Pearson's Magazine for May.