The Yale expositor., 1913-03-20
.WhatConstitutes
a Coward?
By ANDREW c. EWING

surgeon, Currdn, cnattlnS, anu the COLI
versation turned on what constituted
courage. Some of the party advocated
the theory that physical bravery meant
a want Of appreciation Of the danger
incurred, mentioning In support Of the
opinion that the younger the man the
less his fear. Others averred that
bravery meant resolution to with
stand fear and face danger without
f1inching. Some one asked the sur
geon's view of the matter.
II think, or, rather, l know, that
all men are towards physically. Fred
erick the Great was right about 1t
when he said that any man who had
not known fear had never snuffed a
candle with his fingers. But this does
not mean that some men are not more
cowardly than others. What mean Is
that there are nerve centers in us that
act in face Of danger Independently of
our will l have understood that our
president has said that he never knew
of a race between the head and the
heels but that the heels won. What
he means is that when sensible OF dan
ger, danger always gets the better or
us. Most of you line officers know
that when you go into fight you feel
afraid. After you get battle mad you
lose that fear. Why? Because you
become insensible to the danger.
Lieutenant Eldridge Of d company
has been court martialed for coward1ce
and sentenced to be cashiered. He Will
suffer under his disgrace so long as ne
lives. He Is no more to blame than IL
he had been born deaf or blind. 1t
simply means that at the approach OF
danger certain nerve centers In MS
brain order his nerves to deprive him
of bravery"
whats this you're scattering among
nv officers?" said the colonel sternly'
coming out of his tent. "That sort O
talk will induce every man who don't
wish to do his duty to find an excuse
for not doing it."
I'm interested in Eldridge, colonel,
and have a great deal of sympathy for
him. think he should be permitted to
resign rather than be disgraced. His
trouble is that before he gets on the
| battle madness we all need to make us
| brave the strain on his nerves is too
much for him"
Nonsense! Eldridge is a coward,
and that's all there is about 1t. He's
been tried for it; it has been proved
on him. and he has been cashiered.
The next man in my regiment that
finches shall be served in the same
way"
The doctor said nothing for a few
moments He seemed to be turning
something over in his mind. Presently
he said:
Colonel If can prove you a coward
will you permit Eldridge to resignT
what? Prove me a coward"
"That's what | said No disrespect,
colonel We are all towards instinc-
lively
How are you going to prove itF'
IF You will wait here few minutes
I will bring the means of doing So"
The doctor arose, went to his tent
and brought back with him bottle or
clear white glass in which was a little
rattlesnake. The reptile eyed the party
viciously. evidently considering them
his natural enemies. The doctor car
ried the bottle by Il string tied to its
neck and hung the bottle to tent pole,
Now colonel" he said 'if by means
Of this little fellow. who is perfectly
safe behind glass and can't hurt any
one, can prove that you are an In
stinctive coward will you promise me
to take steps to have Eldridge's resig-
nation accepted instead Of his being
cashiered|
"Yes, will; and I'll do more than
that. I'll give him another chance
half a dozen If he likes"
more chances won't help him. His
is an exaggerated case of physical de-
feet so far as bravery goes. All ask
is to let him out Of it without disgrace.
Now, l shall give you the advantage or
preparation. colonel. l shall permit
you to see others finch before you
finch Yourself"
II shall not finch. sir. Should
finch at any test ! would not be fit to
command this regiment"
The doctor asked one Of the officers
to put finger on the bottle. He did
So The snake struck at the finger.
and the officer recoiled, for the moment
losing his color One after another
the members of the party were re-
quested to touch the glass, and not one
could resist an impulse to snatch away
his finger when the serpent struck the
glass on the other side Of It.
When all had been put to the test
except the colonel the doctor invited
him to step up and show his courage.
Being prepared. he made strong eff
fort to keep his finger on the glass,
when the snake struck, but involuntar-
lily withdrew It. He looked mortified
and crestfallen.
"And now, gentlemen" said the doc
tor, II will show you of what bravery
consists. 1t is Inconsistencies Of dan
ger. We must either not see 1t or have
our attention diverted from It,"
Turning his back to the bottle, he