The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-05-30

uuuus tTeIuDIluk uS ue uIu 81 u Te-
Quired u great effort to control himself
sufficiently to sort them. ClaybOurne
stood looking ON. As Treadway lost
nerve KnowltOn seemed to gain II.
They were to play i've games. the loser
of three to be the loser In the game of
life While KnOwlton had the self con-
troll to play the games fairly we'll. II
was soon evident To the Confederate
looking on that he was playing to lose.
Once when the sergeant purp0sely
played the wrong card Clay bourne es-
sayed to stop him. but a look from
Knowlton deferred him Knowlton won
the nrst game: Treadway won the next
three. The winner could not repress
long drawn sigh Of relief. but relief
acc0mpan MED by pain that his c0mpan.
ION must die instead OF himself.
Claybourne marched Knowlton be-
tween two men to an nn0ccupied tent.
where he suffered him to make prepa.
rations to die The prisoner told the
captain that he wished to write let
ter to girl In the north to whom he
was engaged. Materials were furnish.
cd, and he wrote. stating the manner Of
his approaching death. making no men.
ton Of the fact that he had voluntarily
given his chances for living to COM
panion. Claybourne received the let.
ter. agreeing TO take every precaution
that II should reach Its destination.
Then he said to the man who was
about to die:
Were It not that my general Ia mo.
nentarily expecting to be slaughtered
by your people I would make m effort
with him TO save you. When not un-
der the strain of war he IL as tender
hearted as u girl. But with the well
fare OF his troops and the cause ab.
s0rbing his whole nature he seems
brutal. To intercede for you now
would only accrue to my detriment and
be of no service to you"
II understand you perfectly" replied
the other, "Goodby."
Half an hour later a volley was
heard In wood near by, and the body
OF Sergeant Knowlton was buried
where 1t fell Yet the volley was
followed by a secOnd--not customary
In such cases--hred by Captain Clay
bourne's order over the grave Of col
der who has died without dishonor.
Some months later Treadway was
exchanged. and, having. in addition to
his shock. been III In southern pris-
on, he was 40 disabled that he was dis.
charged from the military service Of
the United States. When he reached
home he was welcomed with tears by
bis family. while one Of his sisters
held him In her arms and looked a
him with strange. faraway look
without tears. Presently she kissed
him and went away by herself.
II was she to whom the man who
| had died for him had been engaged
Captain Clay bourne in transmitting Il
her the last farewell Of her lover bad
indorsed on II. "This man purposely
became loser In the game Of life be-
tween him and bis friend"
Not till after the war had ended dit
Treadway learn from bis sister Of tht
sacrince In bis behalf. Then hs went
south. exhumed the body Of the maj
who had made it-ths grave had beeI
carefully marked BY Claybourns's o.
ders-and brought Il north. After I
had been deposited In its permanent
resting place brother and sister fol
years made II an object Of pilgrim
age on every Memorial day Tn,
brother, whose health hsd been under
mined BY his experiences In the south
lived but few years. The sister. nov
very old woman. continues on ever.
Memorial day to place dowers on tn
. grave Of her soldier hero.
There could hardly be q brave
act. no greater heroism. than for one
uninspired by the drum. the rattle o
musketry. the boom Of cannon. In col
blood--so 10 speak--to give his hfe 10
: another. Yet today the only sspecia
honor accorded on Memorial day I
Sergeant Knowltou u the homage q
> ths woman who inspirsd ths ACT