The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-11-07
A Medal of Honor.


IOriginaI.1
The British government gives its sol +
diers who show great bravery in life
saving a decoration called the Vic
toria cross. The badge is an unpreten-
tious affair made of gun metal. but il /
Is the most coveted Of any British /
army honor. In America We have no
such decoration, and when a man
bravely rescues a comrade he must be
content with the thanks Of the man
he has saved.
During the Mexican war q general
Of brigade was one day accommodating
with an aid-de-camp when he ran full
upon a nest OF Mexicans, who spat fire
Ike so many rattlesnakes. The aid
threw himself before his general and
covered his retreat, receiving q wound
In the arm and one in the leg. The
general escaped unhurt When the af-
fair was over and the two dismounted
before the generals tent he said to his
aid:
What's that on your belt claspT'
The aid looked down and pulled
away bullet that had been flattened
against the brass clasp. Had it not
been stopped on its way it would have
penetrated the youngsters stomach,
and that at that time meant death.
The general pressed the young mans
hand silently Words would not ex-
press what he owed his subordinate.
When Lieutenant Passmore went
home after the war he took the fat
tened bullet with him. He used to
call it his medal. man who is espe-
cially adapted for fighting IS often use
less for anything else, and Passmore
failed completely in q business life
which he took up on leaving the army.
| Perhaps the disposition he had shown
to bear anothers burdens was not IN
accord with commercialism, where the
object often is to outwit those with
whom one does business.
The poor fellow at last got ragged.
/ His appearance was all the more
/ slouchy from the wound he had re-
celved in the leg in saving his com
mander's life, since 1t caused him to
| limp. He pawned his belongings one
after another His watch and chain
he held as long as possible, because
/ they had been given him by his moth
err When his watch went, In order to
keep up appearances with his chain
he took his fattened bullet and wore
it where the watch should be.
Meanwhile the general whose life
Passmore had saved had prOspered.
We will call him Wingate. He had
made money, and the prominence aris-
| ing from his wealth and his service in
war had placed him in high position
in politics. He became governor of his
state. Since he lived In the eastern
states and his former aid-de-camp in
the west the two were apart. Pass
more after hearing that Wingate had
attained so high a position spent six
months trying to make up his mind to
apply to him for some subordinate Of
fee whereby he could make a living.
Finally he overcame his retiring dis
position, succeeded in borrowing
enough money to pay his fare and
went to see the governor.
He arrived on the day of a great
parade of the state militia. The gov
ernor was to review the procession.
Passmore took a position near the
stand and saw his former general en-
ter with his suit. He tried to reach
point on the street in front of and
below the governors seat, but police
man stopped him.
Let me go on" said Passmore. II
know the governor personally"
The policeman looked suspicious, but
passed him. Passmore stood directly
beneath his old chief, with his hat
pulled down over his eyes. The pa
rade was late in moving and had not
arrived The governor took out his
} watch impattently.
This isn't the way you moved on
the Mexicans, governor" said Pass
more, looking up from under his hat.
The governor glanced down to see
who spoke.
You moved on time, governor
Passmore continued.
"Ah, yes, my good man. They'll be
here directly. They're only ten min
utes late
Half an hour
MY watch says 1910" rejoined the
: bONGL4oA. AC lea Va t44C NOAAGAA4A
was to have passed here at 12."
Your watch is wrong, governor
twenty minutes wrong
l What time have you, my friend p
J asked the governor.
Passmore pulled out the fattenet
! bullet
A change came over the governor:
faca His ewes were <ylued to the crude
medal. It brought a far distant mem
DRY. Then he leaned over the rail tha
: divided him from the street, graspeC
PASSWORDS hat and pulled it Of
Great heavens! Are you Tomm!
Passmore?"
eth 2 7 am eo0araI -