Evening star., 1924-02-10

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grip on herself in 4 moment. And
before that moment had passed I went
back to the President and told him that
just outside his door was a middle-aged
woman. evidently III great trouble,
who wanted to see him.
Let her come in he said
Her son vas In an infantry regiment.
He had been caught asleep at night
while on picket duty. For this he had
been court t-martialed, found guilty,
and sentenced to be shot.
My boy has always been a good
boy, Mr.. President the woman
managed to say in her sobbing voice.
He has always done his duty. but that
time his regiment was short, very short.
owing to sickness. and my boy has
been on duty for three days and nights
in succession. He was utterly ex-
not keep awake"
Thank you for coming hero to tell
me-" was Mr.. Lincolns quiet rejoiner.
II will look into this
Immediately he took up his pen,
wrote a brief note, handed it to me
and told me to take 1t at once across
the chain bridge to the fort where the
lad was incarcerated and waiting to be
shot the next day. 1 delivered the
note to the commandant of the fort,
who read the message, sprang on his
horse, and started for the White House,
while ] followed few yards in the
rear.
Instead of being shot to death the
young soldier was taken
the next day to see the President.
mother had told. She was there in
the White House at this time also
a woman of forty-f1ve to fifty. we'll
dressed ard apparently intelligent,
of good American stock, thought.
While her boy was telling his
story the President listened atten-
lively. Then he wrote another note
to the comnlandant Of the fort, saying
the accused soldier was to be or
dered back on active duty.
When the mother heard this she
was nearly wild with JOY; 1t was al
most heart-rending to see her so
suddenly lifted from despair to ex-
altation.
Her son was a bright young man.
There is not the slightest doubt that
he told the exact truth. Later he
made first-class soldier.
::s +
nURING those first few days as
- the Presidents personal orderly
there seemed 10 be little to do. Now
and then dispatch was given me
to take across the way to the War
time was spent in the White House
grounds. simply waiting to be called.
II was at this time that ! became
acquainted with Tad Lincoln and the
other children. and with the little
son of Gen. Halleck. who would come
over from his fathers residence in
Georgetown to play. Mrs. Halieck
came with him. she and
Mrs. Lincoln appearing to be good
friends.
At the end OF about a week was
given three dispatches. One was to
be delivered at the War Department,
he second to the Navy Department,
ind the third to the commandant Of
the Washington navy yard.
In some way received the i'm
that these dispatches were
If special Importance, especially the
hird one. OF course. any message
oortance, and must be delivered at
no matter what risk or danger. This
was thoroughly understood. Never
.heless those on duty at the White
House, among them myself. had
gained the impression that prepara-
ions were being made for very
important naval movement Of Roa-
,oke, and when handed the three dis
patches mentioned I felt sure they
lad to do with this forthcoming at
.ack by sea. Also I knew that Its
success depended upon the element
II surprise. II any inkling of 1t
got out In advance the whole thing
night be a failure.
I carried two OF the dispatches to
he War Department and the Navy
delivering them as di-
-ected; then mounted my horse and
started down Pennsylvania avenue,
covering one long square after an
,ther until I turned off toward the
navy yard. The better part Of the
.ity soon was left behind. and was
riding through an area occupied. for
the most part, by saloons and rickety
buildings. with side streets in which
were worse places.
AS passed one of these side streets
saw In 1t number Of men from
my own company, the Bay Horse
Troop, going into and around the
houses. They happened to be doing
provost guard that day. and were
for soldiers who were de-
leave. It wasn't particularly attrac-
tive work, and I congratulated my
self on the new job as personal or
derby to the President as I trotted
along. t' ... ..
A few minutes later my attention
was attracted by a young man stand
ing on the sidewalk who watched me
as came toward him. He was good
well set up, well dressed.
When was nearly abreast of him
he beckoned to me.
Swerving my horse over toward the.
corner where he stood, Teined down
to a walk, and heard him say in
guarded tones: -.
do you want to make some
Certainly, I always want money"
WELL" the stranger went on,
speaking more rapidly, T happen to
know you are carrying dispatches to
the navy, yard" Cat this my heart
gave a little jump.) II am inter-
ested in them he continued, -"If