Norwich bulletin., 1913-12-06
HIS EMPTY SLEEVE
(writteen Specially for The BuIIetin).


 (Writteen Specially for The BuIletin).
 We are all influenced in our deci- sion by our own point. of view, and whatever we may have helped or hindered gains importance thereby: 1 once knew visitor in a history class to criticize their textbook very severely because a certain skirmish was omitted from the story of cam paign The teacher unwittfngly re- such unimportant details were per- force omitted. "Unimportant!" growl- ed her visitor Why I was in that engagement, and I feel the success of much that followed was owing to the bravery of our men on that occasion"
 Being a woman of tact and quick to see her point of vantage, the teacher turned to the class and said. ''We are fortunate in having with us today one wh9 took part in this cam paign and I am sure we shall all be glad to hear him tell us of his per- sonal experiences at that time" The recitation was stopped and the time taken up by the hero from the battlefield much to the delight of the children What boy or girl would not prefer hearing an old soldier tell of the war instead of repeating what the book gave them to learn Also the teacher had the satisfaction of knowing that peace was restored in her visitors mind as well as in her own, for he was known later on to remark that the instructor in history in that room was well placed. She knew her subject, and was ready to avail herself of all opportunities to interest the pupils under her charge.
 The hero of our story was an old soldier whose wrath had been aroused by reading in prominent New York paper that certain generals had de- cided that no such engagement as had been reported had ever taken place on Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, or, if it ever had been fought, it was too insignificant to place on record in historical research. Let them say so if they choose clustered he to the group of school children who sur rounded him as he rested on a rude bench in the park, Let them say so, if they choose, this empty sleeve tells a very different story in a very diff ferent way. Then he went on to tell his story of the battle above the clouds, with the tightening flashing below them as they climbed towards the rif1epits they had been ordered to silence
 Before daybreak their task began, and up they climbed and assailed the ridge with desperate daring. High CT and higher they went, concealed by the storm clouds from all watchers below, till their work was done. Then as the mountain loOmed up be- fore them, their zeal eXcelled their discretion and no pause was made till the ridge and mountain were overpowered and made secure from the foe. Then back to the camp, they went, with greatly les sened numbers in their ranks, but overjoyed with the report they should have to make of the days doings.
 At night came the commander whom fhpV III a6OTe0 and he rode through the camp they all gathered about him to hear his words of com mendation. Fighting Joe. as they best loved to call him, gazed upon them with a pretended frown. as he surveyed them on all sides. His eyes filled with grateful tears as he looked with pride upon his boys, and thought of what they had accomplish ed that day for their COuntry's cause. He well knew the importance of hushing the rifle pits on the mountain side, and he knew also at what eX- pense of life the deed had been done. His heart was tender and sad, as his glance took in the ranks of men so many less in number than he had last reviewed them. Death had claimed so many, but in their patriotic devotion no one was tI;ere but would gladly have repeated the days work, 1T their beloved commander had but given the orders. Hero worship is akin to love of country and in their hearts the two combined to produce an over whelming sentiment which made them defy all thoughts of personal danger or discomfort.
 Fighting Joe's voice broke, and he choked back the tears as he sternly said: 'Pn courtmartiol all of you boys, every one of you I say. You have disobeyed my orders grossly, and have taken matters into your own hands in a way to oVerset all mi1f tary tactics I told you to take the rife pits, and at that I was well pleased That was a glorious feat and deserved the highest praise. But you went beyond my orders when you took the ridge also, and 1t is my inn perative duty to reprimand you for such conduct. I'll courtmartiaI every one of you, as sure as 1 stand here" and he turned aside to wipe away the tears that ran down his cheeks as he spoke. How they cheered him as he stood there among them, though he threatened and stormed at them. I'll report you all at Washington, and they shall know what a mutineus crowd I have to control out here in the wilderness
 Here the old soldier fell back into g. reverie, as he added, How we loved that dear old leader, Whether he led us or ordered us to go ahead there was not a man who would hold back or hesitate. That is why l felt so angry at those generals who wrote to the paper to-day, What did they