The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1912-02-09

some VINO grit LQelr teetu anu uaIeA
up to death supported by strong will
and a few who seem rather to enjoy
the fray. Pardon, had 1t not been for
| the principles that had been instilled
into him from babyhood, would have
been one of those who take naturally
to fighting. On his face was the res
olute look of the man who was fore
ing himself to endure the test to which
he was subjected, but 1t was there
from a different cause. He was brac-
ing himself against not only the ef-
fort on the part Of his officers to make
him fight, but against that hot blood
which sooner or later comes to most
men on the field Of battle. Pardon
feared to break away from the religion
Of his forefathers that had been taught
him by his gentle mother, but he did
| not fear the enemy
The regiment was kneeling behind q
stone wall waiting charge OF the en-
envy. On came a line Of brown, like
dead leaves and dust rolled forward
by a gust Of wind. The captain Of
Pardon Lawrence's company stood, his
eyes darling first at this death whirl
then along the line Of his men, whose
guns were pointed horizontally, all ex-
cept one that was inclined upward. It
was Pardon's.
iii, you, there-lower that musket"
Pardon's musket sank to level, but
when the order came to fire it bobbed
up as II worked by machinery. The
captain saw and remembered. Thrice
the brown line was driven back before
it failed to come again, and every time
Private Lawrence's gun, Just as the
word Fire" was given, went up, the
charge going toward the sky. Not only
the captain saw, but Pardon's COM
rades, and there sprung up against him
fierce antagonism.
"Traitorr'
"a Confederate sympathizerl"
"A Quakerl'
"Quaker be hanged! That don't
count when we're fighting"
1.-THE next time I'm behind him In a
fight I'm going to shoot him."
Pardon heard these comments, but
they did not rufiie him-indeed, a
faint flush of satisfaction came upon
his cheek. for he was thinking Of the
placid bosom Of his native Lake Cham
plain and Of his little mother In her
prim dress when she had said to him
at his Departure:
"Thee will find 1t hard, Pardon, to
do the will Of the Lord, but he will
give thee strength"
When the fighting was over the cap
tain called Private Lawrence to him
and asked him why he had fred In
the air instead of at the enenty Par
don told him."
"Why did you enlist7 asked the
captain.
II didn't; was drafted
Corporal Of the guardv' cried the
captain.
The corporal came, and the captain
ordered him to take the refractory
private to the guard tent ard keep
him there till he was called for. Then
the Captain went to the colonel and
reported the singular case. An order
ly was sent to direct the corroral Of
the guard to bring Pardon to the colo
Tiers headquarters.
II have called for you," said the
colonel with all the sternness he could
command. ito tell you that unless you
will promise me that there shall be
no more Of this failure to fight, this
hinching, this cow
does thee think 1 don't shoot be-
cause I am afraid?" cried Pardon,
flushing.
mo, not that. but THE colonel
was puzzled. 'Take him away" he
said
Not lon & after this scene Mr.. lincoln
was SIT Ing In his Office, when It was
announced to him that the colonel Of 9
regiment had visited Wasningtt IN &c
consv 1t with the president conce -nine
M tier Of life and death to a px ivate
eohiier. Mr.. Lincoln was busy, but
eve orders that the offly r should be
admitted at once. Whe n he came II
Alr. Lincoln began to- rise from his
chair. and the colonel bought he would
never stop rising.
Another leg case colonel, I sup
poser said the prest lent YEARLY.
Many cases Of cos ardice and conse
qeent death sentences came before Mr.
Lincoln, and he always called then
leg cases. you ca mt get me to shoo'
a man for running away "a battle.
wouldn't do 1t. A man can't help be
Ing a coward any more than he coult
help hump bac IL he wore Aor1
WIN one. nave been scared myseN
and know what 4 is Tn INV contest
VI controversy rising between the
head and the hex Ls r no ver know tho
neeis 10 get ahy'lht ng but the best Of
"This Is not II ar Kind NJ case a.
az MI iresloeN >" replied the colonel.
ano ne eApiaHes that he had Quaker
~ n1s ISSaenes t who wouldn't fight
"uo "ouiop un.
--.ncolp was much relieved.
: Why, thT $ plain enough, colonel
ne said here Is only one thing 70
III r>,v,u 49,. )