Gilpin observer., 1914-10-15
A0N0R'S SACRIFICE
Soldiers Allegiance to the Stars
and Bars Meant Something
in ,Sixty-One.
BY JOHN c. o'NEILL.

trOplcas winch through the nOurS Oh
his duty on deck had soaked and sig
zled all things about him. Now. re-
lieved from waterproof clothing and
for some time his own master, he was
In peaceful mood. engaged In the war
like task OF polishing about four feet
OF glittering. highly embossed steel
with which Uncle Sam armed his
naval officers back in the early days
Of the sailing navy. This particular
blade was rather a back number In
this winter of sixty-one, but Lieuten-
ant Biddle loved it; and in his twenty
odd years at sea it had always been
part of his equipment, for the work
manlike belt which supported the
blade had been clasped about his
youthful waist by the graceful hands
OF his cousin, known to fame as Mis-
tress Dolly Madison.
For Biddle 1t was no question OF
national or state rights to be decided.
he knew little of the cause of contro-
versy; all good officers left that sort
of fuss to politicians. Naval officers
watched the seas for the safety OF
sAASA iaAo 90 q WAOlc. I16 u1u
been on land in twenty years-just
long enough to love and wed dainty
Virginia girl. 1t was thoughts of her
that complicated the matter.
Above the roar of the storm which
now was beating about the tossing
ship seemed to sound some echo of
her tone. Never think OF me. dar-
ling, only your duty to yourself, which
means country and me, too" To be
true to himself-how could he swear
to lie? All worldly advantage lay
with his service, promotion was now
rapid. He loved every inch Of his
ship; all would be laid down II he
went south" But. then. how could
he swear; he had no sympathy with
the people or his wife? Was a lie
ever justified? Would she think him
true to yourself?" Almost slamming
his sword into its sheath. he NUT
tered: IF In doubt, do the thing least
to your worldly advantage. Nick
that's easy to guess. I'll go south, old
sword; but, Lord. l couldn't take you
you belong to the service. Well,
you've earned rest, old sword, but
IT'S hard to lay you down."
Washington, at the beginning of a
drear December storm-the hour near
midnight-the scene an clubhouse In
the heart Of the city-dedicated to
wood and ashes and other necessary
but unattractive domestic parapher-
MALTA. Now instead OF being deserted
by all but rats, 1t was occupied by a
couple of white-faced but courageous
lovers one could see at a glance. for
the lady clung to the arm of the man
as il she feared to lose him forever
aud this was just the fear beating in
her futtering heart, for she was Nick
Biddle's southern wife. and he had
written his resignation to the Union
navy and was to be we'll on the way
through the lines to her people be-
fore dawn broke, or suffer the penalty
meted out in wartimes for traitors:
for at that part of the civil strife all
officers resigning from the service OF
the government to join the southern
forces were regarded as traitors to
their country by the very act Of resig-
nation.
Only one of Biddle's arms was en-
gagged with his lady love. for the other
had a familiar looking bundle glowing
by the candlelight with the dear col
ors OF the flag-fag It was. and
wrapped about the Mexican sword
Just as 1t had been placed that night
In the tropics when Biddle made the
choice between his conscience and his
worldly advantage.
Putting the sword in the lady's
hands, the lieutenant hastily cleared
away the ashes from corner Of the
shed, and scooped deep, long. mar
row grave-then both the sentimental
children patted and kissed the sword
and laid it in the ashy grave.
There is a little cottage near An
napolis whose garden is almost
washed by the waves OF the Chesa-
peake bay. A sweet-faced old lady
sits where she can watch the ships
she loves in memory of her long dead
husband who trod the deck for twenty
years or more In the country's service.
Near her hangs an old-fashioned
sword in battered scabbard-over 1t
hangs bit of palm. For five years
the sword was shut from the light OF
day. under the ashes In an old out
house in the federal city. Then one
morning sorrowing. tear-stained face
bent over It as the light OF day made
itself known through the thinning veil
OF ashes her hands were removing,
Eagerly the sword-now bare, the
flag that once covered 1t having been
fretted away by the tooth OF time
was clasped to an aching breast. you
are all I have to remember him by
dear sword-my Nick Is dead In
prison-not even in the open under
the stars he Ioved-you and all alone
oh. how can | bear it," Pulling the
blade from the sheath 1t sparkled n
the sunlight unblemished-withou'
spot. Some subtle comfort seemed te