Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-05-10

camp.
What course the boy had been oblig-
ed 10 take 10 avoid being arrested by
Federal troops does not appear, but the
report of the officer In charge or the
foraging party was that he was head
ing for the Confederate lines. The
fact that he had had brother IN the
Confederate army also told against
him He was tried by court martial
for desertion and sentenced 10 be shot.
One morning while Mr.. Lincoln was
talking with visitor at the White
House an attendant cptered and hand
ed the president card. A panied cx-
preston crossed MIR. Lincoln's face as
he recognized the name OF Julia At
water. The papers In the case of her
sons court martial had been forward
ed to him, and his signature was neces-
sary before the death sentence could
be carried out. The visitor offered to
give way to the newcomer. but Mr..
Lincoln urged him 10 remain where
he was, at the same time giving an
order that the woman was to be adj
wlttcd.
itStnllN iit t'Vi NHS VPNhttS e'0
pale faced woman entered.
"Ny son has been condemned to die"
she said. land will be executed unless
you viii save him
What is he charged With, madam:
"Desertion."
WAS he not regularly tried by court
martialf"
Yes, but
and was he not arrested passing to
ward the Confederate lines?"
Yes, but there is another side to the
story"
II have heard the story, and l am
sorry 10 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
4 her and called ali attendant. Together
they worked over her till she was re-
stored 10 consciousness.
at The time the secretary Of war, Mr..
' FNiHllVils anu iiit Va liz "'''y
were complaining bitterly of Mr.. Lin.
coins interference with their efforts to
maintain discipline by pardoning those
who were sentenced especially for de.
serii ion. IT was these complaints that
had moved him 10 put curb on his
sympathics and refrain from interfer-
ence. Papers in the case OF Arthur At
,o,l, 1a
partment ana Mr.. Stanton had fore
stalled any action OH the part of Mr.
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 10 give il
but If YOU merely wish 10 work on my
sympa thies in order to@plind Inc 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 ! have 10 say, and il yor
can he convinced my story is true thai
YOU will interposc in my sons behalf.
The widow then told Mr.. Lincoln tn,
story as it has been told here. Whei
she had finished Mr.. Lincoln said e
her:
"Yon may 20 now. madam, with
good heart. | promise YOU that pro
ceedings shall lie stayed and that yol
shall have All opportunity 60 prove thu
truth OF your statement. II You do So
you have nothing TO fear
The president reprcssed the express
sions OF gratitude Of The woman he ha'
made happy. interrupting her to SAL
that he was only doing his duty. an'
she went out weeping tears Of relic
and JOY
Arthur Atwater was preparing him
self 10 meet his fate when n TELEGRAM
was received by him that his eXecu
ton had been ordered delayed by tn
president for an investigation or IN
case. His mother made good her state
ment. ana he wos returned to duty
His life was saved 10y the appeal o
his mother 10 one who mingled kind
is nature with sense of justice.
There is no record at hand Of wha
The secretary of war said when it wa
announced TO him that n stay ha'
been granted ia the case Of Privat
Arthur Atwatcr II is quite likely
however. that lie frowncd and nut
tered. Another case of chicken heart
cdness on the part OF the president.
There is q sequel 10 the story whic
gives il Il fitting ending. When TN
truth came ont that the officer [
whom Arthur had applied for leav
had III face ~ the evidence at han
accused the boy of cowardice ana ha
called lis mother a schemins rebo
the captain was taken 80 task by hi
! colonel. who preferred charges agains
= him. While the case was pending IN
captain got tn spree and willie drum
e was thrown from his horse ANA killc,
+ II Nh. Eiucou'S render heartednes
q was weakness it was not the Kin
> IT weakness that his houtcnantS !
the biz war attributed 10 lin 1t wa
not The Kind cf weakness that lead
Y one 10 10 an injustice for fcar of di'
D pleasing some ono Mi Lincoln hin
self said:
j ~ do not mind crossing ur even d'
u flying the whole world when | can q
- rs champion for the wrmgcd |
that case feel as If had the strenst