Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1905-12-28


reached his peroration that the tFi-
umph Was scored. When he pictured
Jim Tillman 90 a colonel, beloved by
privateS and next spostrophized by his
wife, mother and baby girls, there
we're many tears shed In the court
room. Strong men cleared their
thFoats, women we're washed in tears
and four Jurors that l noticed wept.
There was weak feeling about the
eyes Of all aS Rembert feeliOgly closed
his speech.
There was a place upon a certain
day when a regiment which had sworn
to uphold the honor of South Caroliua
was on the march. The way was long,
the sun was hot, and the men we're
very weary. The colonel rode beside
his men watching the toiling lines.
He saw a soldier StagRer. He rode up
to him, dismounted, aided the weary
soldier to his horse and taking his gun
tTudRed away in the dust and heat. A
cheer went up whi3h passed from rank
TO rank and others, weary too, took
heart and Drawing thirst and dust and
heat, marched on. And who was that
man?
wait, gentlemen, wait. A tent
was spread beneath the setting sun.
In IL a dying soldier lay. No kindred
round the spot, but far away, perhaps,
a mother was signing for her absent
boy. A man stood beside him and
held hiS dying hand. Tears we're In
his eyes, but a word OF cheer and com.
fort was on his lips. He who lay there
looked up into HE colonel'S eyes and
Smiled-and smiling, passed into the
great beyond. The man closed the
dead eyes with reverence, dashed the
tears from his eyes and passed out.
Who was that man?
Gentlemen Of the jury, there he
sits-James H. Tillmsn, colonel Of the
First South Carolina Regiment. He
was the friend Of ell and not too proud
10 know the humbleSt private, and not
one Of them ever went to him TO ask
for help in vain. The sword that the
boys gave him still adornS HE vale,
and the medal they gave him iS Still
an honoEed relic in his home.
1.-The boys are waiting nov for you,
gentleman, TO vindieSte their colonel.
we concede to those who are
q salnst " all the privileges OF the law.
We feel for him whose life has ebbed
away. We feel for the brothers who
are left behind to mourn. We feel
for the deSolAts wife whose life has
been dArkened forever.
when think Of hiS distinguished
kinsman taking she place OF q father
TO the prisoner 81 the bar, l feel that
can iearleSsly say TO him, remember
ing the great services he hAS rendered
TO HE native State; South CarolinA
has no cause 20 cast dlshonor on your
namen
when think OF bic aged mother.
bowed down by time and trouble, 20
whom one touch OF her beloved boy iS
worth more than all that wealth can
givs--And know that her hair 10 white.
ming beneath the torture that her con
IL sutieFing--T feel that | can say TO
her; Your life may be nearing ice
last milestone, but your troubles, too,
are nearing their eud. Your boy 10
yours TO comfort you. Your boy 10
yours TO guide you--to close your
eyes with loving reverence when you
go out TO sea,
when think OF his wife, 90
Loble, standing by him in this great
trouble, aud by her every action I
branding a. lies the many tales Of
scandal that have been breAthed into
the public ear, feel that I can say 60 I
her: Never again can q touch Of
scandal daTken your lite or HE where
love has thOne 90 bright
when | think Of bic little girl
With all che long stretch Of ysaB be-
lwixI childhood aud The bloom Of NO.
mAahuOd-Nnd see her looking into
her fathers eyes With ell the love and
reverence that God can givs . human
shild, feel that | eau cay 90 her:
be Of good cheer you WON'T lose Jour
father. little one; he's coming home
.m.T.