Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1912-12-25
The Evening Story
Where His Courage
Came In
BY DONALD CHAMBERLlN

come down to visit them in camp
Colonel Carpenter, commanding d bri-
Gade during the winter OF 1862, wrote
his wife that the army was in winter
quarters and he would like to have her
join him, bringing with her their
daughter, Adele.
When Mrs. Carpenter and her daugh-
ter appeared In camp the colonel was
surprised to see young man with
them. He was In citizens clothes and
no more at home among soldiers than
q fish on dry land. He would start
across sentry's beat. and when the
sentry brought his gun to a charge and
called on him to halt he would stop SO
short as to almost fall over backward.
Who is he and where dill you pick
him up" the colonel asked his wife
He's Adolphus Leslie" replied tie
lady. He seems to have been attract
ed to Adele, and she can't get rid of
him. AS soon us he heard we were
coming down he said he was coming
with us. and no hint to the contrary
awaited to stop him."
n wish we would have a fight re-.
piled her husband. I'D suggest his
going into the front rank That would
send him home, warrant Del. why
don't you shake him +"
What's the use? He's been trying 10
get out proposal of marriage for a
month and cAi't do It. Time enough
70 send him Off when he succeeds
That's all very well. but he'll pre-
vent the officers here from showing
you attention. There are number OF
fine fellows on my staff and in the line
who dare say would like to make
your visit pleasant for you. but with
this whippersnapper dangling about
you. how can they"
If they haven't the pluck to drive
him away l expect he'll have to stay
l can't send him or till after he has
proposed
II wish he'd screw up his courage, .
grunted the colonel. Then we'd be
rid OF him.
Adolphus Leslie spoiled the visit
that is. for the colonel. Mrs Colonel
and the officers. As to Adele. she act
ed strangely about it. complaining that
the young man was in her way but she
didn't know how to get rid of him. Her
father lost patience with her and con-
cluded that, since the situation was at
tracing attention from its absurdity,
she had better go home Besides. the
spring was coming on. and there were
indications of move on the part of
the enemy.
When the two ladies' started for
Washington, attended by Leslie. the
members of the staff looked at one an
other. and an aid remarked. "They
should have provided Il bnby carriage
for the rear guard" taking care that
the commander did not hear him.
though the colonefs chagrin 1T the
outcome of his daughters visit was
we'll known.
But the party had not been gone half
4 day when some lively skirmishing
commenced that led up to serious fight
ing. That same evening Colonel Car
penters flank had been turned. his men
were giving way, and it looked as
though a gap had been opened that
would be the ruin of the corps, II not
The whole army The colonel, amid
shower of shot and She'll looked about
him for one of his staff to send for re
endorsements. Some of them had been
killed and some of them had gone back
to escape the CALLING fire.
But who is this coming in a pepper
and salt suit, his horse plunging
frightened AT the explosions and shfiek
ing shells? What is a citizen doing
where only a soldier should be- Tie
rider made straight for the colonel, WHO
was amazed to recognize Adolphus Les
lie.
What in thunder are you doing
here, sir?" roared the commander
.I'n tell you. colonel. II | can get
my breath. | proposed to your daagh-
ter on the way to Washington, and she
said might ask you.'
For a few moments the colonel star
ed AT the young man as il not know
ing whether or no to believe his senses,
Finally words came rs from a rapid
fire gun;
Go and bring me re endorsements
aud you may have the whole family"
Leslie looked about him. not know
Ing which way to turn, but he saw
Colonel Carpenter pointing and dash
ed off in that direction. Meeting
regiment hurrying TO another part or
the field. he rode mp TO its commander
and ordered him to go to the gap
where he was SO greatly needed. When
Leslie rode back with the REINFORCE
Ing column Colonel Carpenter threw
his arms around him and embraced
him. The gap was plugged
Mr.. Leslie went back to Washington
bearing laconic scrawl from the
colonel to his daughter: This young
man may be coward with a woman.
but he's a RATHER in fight. Don't
come down here for a husband
In reply to this Miss Carpenter
vrrota bar 70