The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-06-01

withdraw his insiDuati0n. There seem
ed nothing for 1t but to accept Clay
bourne's suggestion agreed to &c
for Clay bourne, and Thorpe acted fol
Waters. We all rode out beyond III
picket line and. choosing an open
space IN wood where we thought ".
we're not likely 10 be interrupted. wer,
about 10 dlsmonnt for the purpose o.
settling the dispute when we were
fired upon by concealed Confederates
We all rode away In hurry, heading
for our lines. Seeing Claybourn.
swaying in his saddle. rode beside
bin and prevented him falling from
his horse. he told me he had beer
shot In the side.
Claybourne WIS obliged to accept
satisfaction from the Confederate sol.
der who had shot him. for he was
badly wounded aud had TO go to the
hospital He WAS not discharged for
several weeks. Ia fact he was not
discharged at all, for while be was
under treatment an order came for
take up a position several miles In ad
vance OF the one we had occupied
Claybourne deserted the hospital for
active service We found no enemy
between US and our new enca mpment
except small bands. which at once re-
treated before US.
Our battalion eneamped near the
manor house Of a large plantation. the
occupants Of which we're Confederates
and very bitter against US as invaders
Of the south. as they called US Clay.
bourne and l were In the same com.
pany. and | noticed on the march that
ne was suffering great mental distress
| forebore to ask him the cause, for
| knew | would receive no satsfac-
ton.
The day after we were settled In our
new encampment Claybourne asked
me to ride with him that we might
form some Plan 10 remove the obloquy
under which be rested on account of
his mysterious rides and the innuendo
of the adjutant. We emerged from
our camp and rode on for a time In 81
lence. Presently from the gate of the
plantation house which we were ap-
preaching emerged young girl. When
we met her she fixed her eyes upon
Claybourne with an unmistakable ex-
preston of contempt
| looked from her to him. For some
time he did not speak. and when be
did he burst out yehemently.
There is your explanation" he said
you, who were born and have lived
north, have no conception OF what we
southern army officers who have stuck
by the flag have suffered and must
continue to suffer. The girl we have
just passed and ! were brought up to-
gether as children. We were sweet.
hearts in childhood and are today low
ers in youth, for. despite her treat.
ment of me- she loves me today. as
love her When | went to West Point
we were betrothed When the war
came on she wrote me. begging me to
resign and come to fight for our homes
and our fireSides. | thought and
thought dav after day. week after
week, month after month. / could see
no sense, no justification, In breaking
up the Union. Yet to turn against my
OWN people was horrible: to give up
the girl ! loved was heartbreaking.
l knew what | was bound in con.
science and In honor to do, but 1t
seemed that could not do 1t. AT last
decided. And, once | decided, my
decision was irrevocable. You Will
have no Benedict Arnold among US
southern men on either side"
leaned over toward him and threw
my arms about him. Then we rode on
for some time In silence, which broke.
Waters will apologize to you
said. ut is not necessary that you
should explain your mysterious rides
even to me. ] can readily understand
that they were on errands of love"
You are right" he replied. II have
visited my former fancee In the hope
that l might win her from the position
she has taken. | have failed"
But how" asked presently. were
you able to visit this place when 1t
was In Confederate handsr'
Many of the officers were former
playmates Of mine. and | had no diff.
Guilty in getting permission to visit one
who WAS known to have been my
sweetheart | know every one about
here. That was the weakness Of my
position. repeatedly and secretly
visited the enemy"
| could readily understand all that
my young friend had suffered and
Tow TO gain a kind word from the girl
lie loved had laid himself liable to
'harge of treachery Even In contid
ng the matter to me he had parted
With his secret
AS soon rs we returned to camp |
sought Waters and told him that the
explanation he had called for had been
made to me and that | was perfectly
with it Waters accepted II
as If 1t had been made to him person
ally and offered to go to Claybourne
and apologize. but assured him that
il was not necessary. All the case re
quired was that the matter be drop
ped.
Shortly after this | was transferred
TO aaother branch Of the service and
did not meet Clay bourne again till we
met several years after the war was
over, found him very much chang