The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1912-11-29
Where His Courage
Came In
By DONALD CHAMBERLIN


federal officers would send for their
wives and perhaps their daughters to
come down to visit them III camp.
Colonel Carpenter. commanding IL bri-
gade during the winter of lSGl2, wrote
his wife that the army w;lS in winter
quarters and hp would like to have her
join tim. bringing with her their
daughter, Adele.
When Mrs. Carpenter and her daugh-
ter appeared in camp the colonel was
surprised To see Il young man with
them. He was i'll citizens clothes and
no more at home among soldiers than
fish ON dry land He would start
across Il sentry's beat. and when the
sentry brought his gun to charge anu
called on aim to halt he would stop 50
short as to almost fall over backward
Who is he and where did you pick
him up?" the colonel asked his wife.
Hes Adolphus Leslie" replied the
lady. He seems to have been attract
ed to Adele. and she can't get rid OF
him. As soon us be heard we were
coming down he said he was coming
with US. and no hint to the contrary
awaited to stop him."
Il wish We would have Il 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 TO
get out Il proposal of marriage for a
month and can't do it. Time enough
to 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 a 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 / expect he'll have to stay.
L can't send him off till after he has
proposed
Il 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 baby carriage
for the rear guard" taking care that
the commander did not hear him.
though the colonel's chagrin at the
outcome of his daughters visit was
well known.
But the party had not been gone half
a day when some lively skirmishing
commenced that led up TO serious fight
ing. That same evening Colonel Car
penter's 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. if not
the whole army The colonel amid a
shower of shot and shell. 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 shrek
ing shells? What is a citizen doing
where only a soldier should be? The
rider made straight for the colonel. who
was amazed to recognize Adolphus Les
Iie
What in thunder are you doing
here. Sir?" roared the commander.
''I'll tell you. colonel, if ! can get
my breath proposed to your daugh-
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 If not know
ing whether or no to believe his senses
n WOlOS dtS a tdpi0
fire gun:
go and bring me re-enforcementS
and 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 a
regiment nurrying to another part of
the field. he rode up to it's 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 a laconic scrawI from the
colonel to his daughter: This young
man may be coward with woman.
but he's a RATHER in fight Don't
come down here for husband.