The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-03-24


the u,ckcts was making for home
when a foraging party coming in with
supplies met him and took INN back I"
camp.
What course the boy had leen otilS
al to take to avoid being arrested y!
Federal troops does not appear put tue
report of the officer in charge oil Tue
foraging party vas that he was heal
ing for the Confederate lines. Inc
fact that he had had bother IN the
Confederate army also told against
him. He was tried by court martial
for desertion and sentenced TO he shot
one morning while Mr.. Lincoln was
talking with visitor at the Nhlte
House an attendant entered and hand
ed the president "A card \ panied eA-
preston crossed Mr.. Lincoln's lace as
he recognized the name OF Julla Al
wafer The papers in the case OF her
sons court martial had been forward /
ed 10 him. aud his signature was neces-
sary before the death sentence could /
he carried out. The visitor offered TO
give way to the newcomer. but Mr.. /
Lincoln urged him TO remain where |
he was. at the same time giving an I
order that the woman was 10 he ad- 1
mitted.
Presently the door was opened, and ,
a pale faced woman entered.
MY son has been condemned to die
she said, land will be executed unless
you will save him"
What is he charged with, madam
"DeSertion"
Was he not regularly tried 10y court
MARTIAL
Yes, but
And was he not arrested passing to-
ward the Confederate lines:
Yes. but there is another side TO the
story"
Il have heard the story, and l am
sorry TO say TO you that | cannot posi-
bly, interfere with the sentence of the
court
Mr.. Lincoln turned away from the
woman, but was recalled to her 10y the
sound of falling body. She had
tainted.
The president FASTENED to her, raised
her and called an attendant. Together
they worked over her till she was re-
stored to consciousness.
At the time the secretary of war, Mr..
Stanton, and the generals Of the army
} were complaining bitterly Of Mr.. Lin
, coins interference with their efforts to
, maintain discipline by pardoning those
who were sentenced, especially for de-
sertion. 1t was these complaints that
had moved him to put curb on his
, sympathies and refrain from interfer
J ence. Papers in the case Of Arthur AT
, water had passed through the war de.
partment, and Mr.. Stanton had fore
: stalled any action on the part of Mr..
J Lincoln in the doomed mans favor
When the woman had recovered she
begged so hard that the president would
, hear her side of the story that he final
: ly consented to do so. IF you really
come here for justice" he said, sitting
down beside her, you shall have it,
and it will make me happy to give it,
but If you merely wish to work on my
sympathcS in order to blind me to my
duty you will make me miserable with
out making yourself less miserable"
God bless you, Mr. President - was
the reply. Il only ask that you will
hear what l have to say, and IL you
, can be convinced my story is true that
. you will interpose in my sons behalf"
The widow then told Mr.. Lincoln the
story as it has been told here When
she had finished Mr.. Lincoln said to
her:
"You may go now, madam, with q
good heart. l promise you that pro
ceedings shall be stayed and that you
shall have an opportunity to prove tn,
truth of your statement. If you do ST
you have nothing to fear"
The president repressed the expires
sions of gratitude of the woman he haC
: made happy. interrupting her to say
that he was only doing his duty, ant
she went out weeping tears of reliet
and joy.
Arthur Atwater was preparing him
self to meet his fate when Telegram
was received by him that his execu
ton had been ordered delayed by the
president for an investigation of hi:
, case. His mother made good her state
: ment. and he was returned to duty
: His life was saved by the appeal O.
his mother TO one who mingled a kind
\ ly nature with a sense of justice
There is so record at hand of wha
/ the secretary of war said when 1t wa!
! announced to him that stay hac
been granted in the case of Privat,
Arthur Atwater. 1t is quite likely
however. that he frowned and nut
tered. Another case of chicken heart
edness on the part of the president"
, There is a sequel to the story which
gives 1t fitting ending When tn,
truth came out that the officer t
whom Arthur had applied for leav,
had in face of the evidence at han,
, accused the boy of cowardice and ha,
called his mother a scheming rebel
the captain was taken to task by hi.