The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-12-20

from the private to the general off cer.
 Confirmation Sunday was also the Sunday before the great battle, and the Bishop, pondering the possibilities of bringing yet others into the class be- fore that day suddenly realized that he had never spoken a word to General Bragg about his soul. And yet to ask such a question of this man, of whom all ranks stood in awe, was no easy matter. In the solitude of his own quarters Bishop Quintard nerved him self for the toughest task of his cler- ical experience, and when he believed that his courage was screwed to the sticking place he hastened to headquar- ters.
 Never before had headquarters seem- cd in such hustle of hurrying aids, hastening couriers, and officers impart- ing information, receiving orders or awaiting consultation with the chief Certainly it seemed that no hour could have been more ill-chosen for priest ly mission, but the Bishop stubbornly refused his legs permission to bear him away no matter how ardently they de- sired
 And I never felt so much like run ming away in all my life as when I stood before the general" said the Bishop Quintard, on the one or two oc- casions when he told me the story, T have knelt by the dying when bullets sung and shells shrieked, and felt no fear, for my every thought was with the poor fellows and their last pitiful messages to loved ones; but that grim countenance, with stern, cold eyes, held me under a spell. I was speeches..
 Well, sir!" the general flung at me, curtly, what can I do for you? Kindly be quick. My time is valuable, sir!"
 He was standing and made no mo tion toward seating himself or me. Sec retaries were busily transcribing his dictations, and their pens seemed as though ploughing across my brain. Two aids stood near me, one travel splashed, as though just arrived; the other evi- dently awaiting orders to depart. could not open upon my subject amid such surroundings of haste and battle and bloodshed and with each member of the little gathering drowning at me as though anything but blessing for me for my inopportune interference.
 Well, sir! We'll, sir" exclaimed the general impatiently. I have much to do, and you will oblige me by stating your errand at once!"
 Tt was too late to retreat, and so managed to blurt out a request for private interview. The general stared as though dumfounded by my audacity and the others as though they could scarce credit their own ears. l antici- pated no less than a curt dismissal, but, as much to the surprise of the off, fcers as myself, he hesitated.
 "A private interview? he asked, with decided astonishment in his voice. Would you mind indicating it's objects sir?'
 "I very much prefer not to do that, general I replied And it is, to me, so urgent that I beg you not to refuse. When I have named the subject you may cut me as short as you like
 Again he hesitated; then, turning to the others, requested them to await his summons in the ante-room ln- viting me to a chair and seating him self, he again asked me to name my mission. I had mapped out taetful plan for my delicate task, but this was now gone from my head, and blurted out with-1 know not to this day what exhortation, save that called to his mind how all his men looked to him as the head and front whether in victory or defeat, and how he seemed not to look at all to the One wgl holds us all in the hollow of His hand and I begged him, finally, to be present and receive the communion with his soldiers next Sunday. ] don't know what he thought I was going to say but certainly it was not what did say.
 "He sat as though petrifed and at first I feared my preciIitancy had offended him. Then my heart leaped and sung, for I saw great tears pour ing down those bronzed checks, He sank his face in his hands, and with quivering voice cried:
 l lll4 Qu4llldIQs IlpW pLlVAA INV often have I felt all this in my self made solitude, and have been eager to respond to the word that no man has seen fit to speak before! But I cannot join in the communion, fir l have never been confirmed
 Have you been beptized?" I asked.
 "1 am not sure, even of that he replied.
 "The hours talk that followed, while the outer chamber filled with impatient men, will ever remain one of my sweetest memories, and in the aoftened earnest truthseeker before me no one would have recognized the Bragg of war and carnage His bap- tism took place at once, and pri- vately but on the great Sunday the general stood out in public with the soldier class, and in the midst of his army, and with privates on each side he was confirmed, and publicly re-