The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-10-30
A Medal Of Honor.
tOriginal.1


diers who show great bravery in life
a decoration called the Vic
toria cross. The badge is an unpreten-
tious affair made of gun metal, but it
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 Il general
of brigade was one day accommodating
with an aid-de-camp when he ran full
upon Il nest of Mexicans, who spat fire
like so many r~attlesnakes. The aid
threw himself before his general and
covered his retreat, receiving a wound
in the arm and one in the leg. The
general escaped unhurt. When the af-
fair was over and the two dismountel
before the generals tent he said to his
aid:
"What's that on your belt clasp?"
The aid looked down and pulled
away a bullet that had been fattened
against the brass clasp. Had 1t not
been stopped OF its way 1t 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 1t his medal. A nan who Is espe-
cially adapted for fighting is often USE
less for anything else, and Passmore
failed completely in a business life
which he took up on leaving the army.
Perhaps the disposition he had shown
to bear another's burdens was not in
accord with commercialism, where the
object often Is to outwit those with
whom n does business.
The poor fellow ut last got ragged.
His appearance was all the more
slouchy from the wound he had re-
ceived in the leg in saving his com
mander's life. since it 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
er. When his watch went. In order to
keep up appearances with his chain
he took his 1lattened 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 a 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 tt
apply to him for some subordinate of
fee whereby he could make q living
Finally he 'overcame his retiring dis
position, succeeded in borrowing
enough money to pay his fare anf
went to see the governor.
He arrived on the day of a grea
parade of the state militia. The gov
ernor was to review the procession
Passmore took a position near thu
stand and saw his former general en-
ter with his suit. He tried to reaci
a point on the street in front Of an,
below the governors seat. but a police
man stopped him.
LET me 20 on" said Passmore. "
know the governor personally"
The policeman looked suspicious, bu
passed him. Passmore stood directl.
beneath his old chief. with his hi
pulled down over his eyes. The pa
rade was late in moving and had no
arrived. The governor took out hi
watch impatiently.
"This isn't the way you moved O
the Mexicans, governor" said Pass
more, looking up from under his hat.
The governor glanced down to sc
who spoke.
"You moved on time, governor,
PassmOre continued.
"Ah, yes, my good man. They'll b
here directly. They're only ten min
utes late"
Half an hour"
my watch says 1910" rejoined tn
J governor. 1.-The head Of the column
was to have passed here at H."
"YOur watch is wrong, governor
twenty minutes wrong"
What time have you, my friend!
asked the governor.
Passmore pulled out the fIattene'
bullet.
A change came over the governor
: face. His eyes were glued to the crud
medal. 1t brought a far distant mem
Dry. Then he leaned owe the rail tina
2 divided him from the street, graspe'
PASSWORDS hat and pulled it off.
"Great heavens. Are you TOmm,
Passmore!"
THAT l am, general"
The governor was u large, powerful
man. He took PassmOre by the collar
lifted him clean over the rail and Sc
!, him down in a seat beside him. Jus
, then there was a hurrah down tn
stnno< ck~>3,c 80 ,,nvtfol vr,ru{O on.