The Washington times., 1906-10-13

entity Slayton's motto, for Immediately
after entering the building about
half past o'clock. he headed straight
Tor the ofice or Secretary Bonaparte.
P he was accompanied by Commander
Little OF the Gospel Army
BEFORE the pair could take the drsr
step 10 gain The audience with the Sec
retary or the Navy. Mr.. Bonaparte Aur-
Tied out from his private office In cstcI,
a O'Clock train for Baltimore. The
secretary being pointed out 10 lhrm.
. Commander Little, with his nrafaes
Fuashed down the stairway and approach
ed the Secretary's carriage just as The
Iootman was closing the door
A Swift Introduction.
Just moment. please. Mr. Score
tary' said Commander Little. and both
ne and Slayt0n removed their hats -
am Commander Little Of the Gosnel
Army, and this is the Rev. James r
Slayton Jr., deserJer from the navy
who has seen the light and is now
regularly ordained preacher. lie wishes
10 surrender voluntarily to you person
ally. IN tLe hope that he may be al
lowed 10 return TO his work"
Commander Little stepped back from
the carriage door and the former navy
landsman stepped up aud respectfully
aaluted. The Secretary ackuowledged
the salute. For moment. the NAVY
Secretary seemed 10 have lost his usual
poise through The unexpected and ex-
ceedingly unusual proceeding. lie said
that he was sorry 20 be unable to do
anything, IS ne had but a few minutes
10 spare 20 catch a train. He referred
them 10 Assistant SecTetaT,. NewberTy.
In Mr. Newberry's 3 Office, TO which ad-
mltance was soon gained. Slayt0n was
sSsu alone. The Secretary heard bis
story briefly. and said that he could
only refer him TO the proper officials I'M
charge OF the enlisted men Captain
Wilson, of the Bureau of Navigation
vast sent for and the man was es-
COrted 10 his Office.
To Captain Wilson SlaytOn told his
story brieItN, saving that his conscience
had troubled him So that he FELT i'm
PEELED TO surrender He felt that there
we're eNtenuatlng circumstances in his
case, however, and he said he would
Ike another opportunity to see the
mercy
Captain Wilson did not think favor
ably OF this plan. however. and by tele-
phone ordered guard detail sent I'D
from the navy yard to escort the de
serter there for temporary confinement. |
II think that viii be satisfactory /
viii il not?' asked the captain, with
twinkle In his eye.
Still the Sailor.
But even as Slayton was still a sailor
when he saluted Secretary Bonaparte, /
so was he in answering the captain
"Ay. ay. sir said he. respectfully
Ealuting I am at your order. sir
In a moment Slayton spoke up. saying /
he was sorry TO put the officials TO so
much trouble There is no need of
your having guard brought up here
sir he SAID
Even as I came here voluntarily. 7
VIII 20 to the navy yard myself. If
you will just tell me what to do, sir, I
promise YOU on my honor 10 obey"
The question Of The honor of a de-
Eerter apparently flashed into the minds
OF the officials present and for a mo-
ment they were not inclined 10 take him /
seriously.
That's certainly we'll spoken said !
Captain Wilson, IF You should come /
here ] don see why YOU wouldn't 90 I
70 the nav ward alone, I will coun- /
Jermand the order Tor the guard and in !
form the officers there Of your coming"
The two gospel eXhOrters rushed out j
Of the building to the Navy Yard. /
where the guards at the gate were
awaiting them. Slayton asked to be 7
taken TO the commandanT and soon he /
was in the Office Of Captain Leutze. /
The captain was busy. however. and TO 1
she chief clerk SlaytOn told his story. /
He was referred to Lieutenant Com
quarters. but the situation was so unique /
that the commander began to pry into 4
SlaytOn' : career. According 10 the dates 4
Of enlistment and desertion. as told bv I
Slayton. Commander Rust concluded /
that Sl8yto1 was immune from the law 4
because of the statute OF limitation. He I
called up the Navy Department 10 con- /
suit with Captain Wilson. but the cap
tain had left the office for tEe day.
Given Free Lodgings.
Commander Leutze finally decided he /
had no right 90 lock the person up. ana /
said he would take the ease up w-eh the I
department. early this morning. lie /
said. however, ne had no objections to 4
granting The deseTtcr quarters for the 4
hight ia the seaman hsu Slayton did \
not wish 10 trouble the officials, II there !
WAS any doubt about their having "a /
right To hold him and tile thought /
that now be might be free "a aed his !
7ope TO g. state o. high Juhlation- Both /
SlayIOn and Commander Little offered Z
up prayers OF thanksgiv.ue.
Siayton wisfed 10 have the matter de
6nitely settle.i. however. 50 ne agoed /
10 cail al The ward today. again 10 sur
render himself.