Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-08-04
The COWARD
By FRANCIS A. sToUTENBURcH.

Aetlc 0eal ne maze nus Way 10 his
desk. From one of the pigeon holes
he took a revolver. 1t was a big,
wicked hooking gun---44 ealiber.
Capt Clay, retired. was man who
always believed himself to be COW
ard at heart; but in cabinet in his
library there was a medal which had
been awarded him for valor in the
field; there was also a letter from
President Mckinley promoting and
commenting him for conspicuous bray
cry And on the wall was sword.
given him by his Own company. with
al inscription OF the blade testifying
to his courage selfssacrihce and 10y
atty
Clay examined the revolver care
fully II was properly loaded and
ready to do the deadly work 1t might
be called upon to do.
Clay sank back in an arm chair, the
weapon in his hand.
In the last stages of consumption;
racked by pain; grieying over the loss
of his young wife. who had died but
few months previously; harassed by
a poverty that he was too proud TO
make known. he had sought the seclu-
sion of his pet room surcease of sor-
row. an end to all the responsibilities
of life
Il was always a coward" he NUT
tered, as he shudderingly looked down
at the revolver. 'Yet somehow | did
my work. When | charged the Span
fish breastworks at Palmas al the head
of my men was in mortal fear of
wound of some kind. | was the first
man inside the enemy's works. Men
near me- We're cut down by machets
bayoneted or shot | was untouched
Ny men never knew my fear; never
noticed my white face. In the heat
of the combat they took no heed OF
all this; but they cheered me after
the fight was won.
Then, again. that fight near the
river, when | carried Sergt. Peters on
my back after he was wounded-car-
ried him through deadly fire, back
in our lines-ah, ha,-thats where
won the presidents letter; but was
in agony lest some Mauser should send
its bullet through me. But somehow
/ did my work.
"And w,''--he glanced again at
the weapon in his hand-"it may hurt
me-" he mused, with something of
boyish petulance. ooh. l cannot bear
the pain, in case it does not kill in
stantly; the crashing through my tbs.
sues and bones; and even though it
kin me, there will be momentary, a
horrible agony.
"a coward | am, and always was;
yet somehow did my work
Racked by a fit of coughing, he no
ticed that blood had come on his
| handkerchief again.
Something prompted him to take the
sword of honor from its place on the
| wall and put it by his side; to gaze
once more upon the medal and to
take the presidents letter and spread
1t acrss his knees.
These will make me brave man, "
( he said.
| But these acts failed to summon up
| the courage that he sought.
He looked again at his revolver and
| shuddered Throwing open its
breech, he hastily emptied it of its
contents; then picking up the poker
with a sharp blow he smashed the
| weapon and threw its shattered rem
nants into the dead embers OF the
hearth.
''Now | am a coward" he exclaimed
bitterly. Somehow before this al
ways did my work"
| Then 1t was that the bright, hope
full faces of his two young sons-one
of IA and one of 12-who were near
at hand at play with other boys. came
up before him, and their voices seemed
to say: mo, no, you are brave man
| and no coward
A smile passed over his wan face.
What was that?" he asked. us
anyone in the room?"
| He heard faint sigh; that same
faint, happy little sigh that had come
| from his wife as she died in his arms
| but few months previous.
His wasted right hand was lifted
from the desk wherein 1t rested by
fingers invisible but supremely ten
der. A kiss, Elusive, sweet and bear
| Ing in itself message of angelic
gratitude and approval was pressed
| upon it.
He leaned forward in his chair.
The blood gushed forth from mouth
and nostrils and trailed in crimson
stream across the letter from the muir
| deled president which lay in his lap.
No bullet caused it. 1t was the last
hemorrhage. 1t was copious; it was
merciful; and il took HMM. Y. Her.