Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-02-27
A Medal of Honor.
[Original.1

Hers who show great bravery in life
saving q decoration called the Vic
toria cross. The badge is an unpreten-
dous affair made of gun metal, but it
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 a general
Of brigade was one day accommodating
with an aid-de-camp when he ran full
upon a nest Of Mexicans, who spat fire
like so many rattlesnakes. 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-
fa1r was over and the two dismounted
before the generals tent he said to his
aid:
whats that on your belt clasp?"
The aid looked down and pulled
away a bullet that had been lattened
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 wal he took the fiat
tened bullet with him. He used to
call it his medal. A man 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 at 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 flattened bullet and wore
1t 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 arts
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 We're 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 q living.
Finally he overca1ne 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 Il great
parade of the state militia. The gov
ernor was to review the procession.
Passmore took a position neal the
stand and saw his former general en-
ter with his suit. He tried to reach
a point on the street in front of and
below the governors seat. but a police
man stopped him.
LET me go on" said Passmore. 81
know the governor personality"
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 impatiently.
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
governor. 1.-The head of the column
was to have passed here at -"
"YOur watch is wrong, governor
twenty minutes wrong.'
What time have you, my friend?''
asked the governor.
Passmore pulled out the Hattened
bullet.
A change came over the governors
face. Els eyes were glued to the crude
medal. 1t brought a far distant mem
DRY. Then he leaned over the rail that
divided him from the street, grasped
PASSWORDS hat and pulled it off.
Great heavens! Are you Tommy
Passmore"
"That | am. general"
The governor was a large, powerful
man. He took Passmore by the collar,
lifted him clean over the rail and set
him down in a seal beside him. Just
then there was q hurrah down the
street. strains Of martial music, and
governor and staff assumed that posi-
ton Of attention and dignity expected
NJ ~ -~-A. NIL ~