Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-06-17

soul, MS simplicity OF spirit, MS I'M
| firing devotion to their interests, his
self-renunciation, his ever ready
helpful hand outstretched in their
behalf, he so won their affections
that no man among them would
have hesitated for a moment to rem
der him any service in his power.
His rejection of the chaplaiacy
only strengthened if possible, their
attachment to him, for they easily
recognized the motive behind it,
Even the prisoners, savages though
they were, hating the whites with
all the malignity of their race, re-
spected the Great Spirit Man, for, not
only had Eowah told them all she
knew about him but they had them
selves shrewdly observed his kind
acts, and indeed some of themselves
had received such personal atten-
lions from him as to make them very
grateful to him, and to regard him
with great reverence. Little Crow
and Eowah were particularly devot-
ed to him, and took every occasion
to speak of him in terms of praise
to their fellow prisoners.
Il hear that we are to have a
new chaplain" said Jesse to Captain
Maltby-"a fine thing for Mr. Gray
ling, am glad he is to have the
Office"
1T certainly would be a fine
thing for him as you say Jesse,
nevertheless he will not be the next
chaplain" replied the captain.
Why. how is that?" asked Hi
ram. everybody knows he would
make good one and the boys all
want him you bet"
"Of course they do said Billy
christopher.
They want him and nobody else
| why just think what he did for Tin
: and Steve and how he has taker
care of the boys ever since we left
home"
Sure. an even the reds have
taken TO him, why that little Eowaf
thinks there's no one livin' tina
ekals him. just watch her once wher
he's around and you'll see," enthusi
astically broke in Joe Pettus.
: And she is quite right in al
that" said Jesse. Il want to say t
: you, boys, that / never knew
more Christ-like man, and / have
had opportunity to know him init
mately. If any man ever exempli
: fed in his every day life the teach
: ing of Jesus Christ it is private
Grayling; some way that man at
tracts me as no one else ever did
don't understand it at all"
"As to that it is the same wa!
with all of us, he commands our higi
regard because he is what he is. He
is the golden rule in action. Living
virile, vitalized manhood. But al
the same he won't be our chaplain,
: declared captain Maltby.
why, captain! has anybody Dir
sayin' anything agin him? cause il
they has I'm right on his trail, an
bet he'll wish his birthday he'd biz
put off awhile, gin ! git through
with him." Exploded Frank Inness.
mo, Frank, no one has been say
ling anything to injure him that
know Of; replied the captain; land
'lif they had, it would not be believ'
ed in the present state of feeling
toward him."
Then what is there to prevent
him from being the new chaplain
asked Jesse, Il don't understand il
at ALL
why. there's nothing at all In
the way of his appointment that
know of, except that he positively re.
fuses to accept the Office. Major Cad
we'll told me that when it was ten
dered him his eyes filled with tears
as he shook his head and said
General Sully, deeply appreciate
your kindness in the efforts you
have made in my behalf, but sir,
must positively decline to accept the
chaplaincy, which I do most respec.
fully"
JWhat reasons did he give fol
declining?" asked Jesse.
HE said that when he enlisted
he had no other ambition than to
serve in the ranks as a private sol
der, and to be of whatever service
he could to the boys of the company
He felt that being one of them he
would be in better position to help
them when he was needed. He only
wanted to be a father to them and
as far as possible take fathers
place. The officers who were pres
ent at the time did everything they
could to induce him to reconsider
his decision but without avail. He
remained mistaken in his purpose.
i "Well. for his own sake ! am sor'
lry he has made that decision;" quiet