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Soldiers of Fortune by Richard Harding Davis
page 44 of 292 (15%)
``Why didn't you speak of this sooner?'' he asked.

``Ah, yes, that is fair,'' said the General, quickly. ``I know
that it is late, and I regret it, and I see that we cause you
inconvenience; but how could I speak sooner when I was ignorant
of what was going on? I have been away with my troops. I am a
soldier first, a politician after. During the last year I
have been engaged in guarding the frontier. No news comes to a
General in the field moving from camp to camp and always in the
saddle; but I may venture to hope, sir, that news has come to you
of me?''

Clay pressed his lips together and bowed his head.

``We have heard of your victories, General, yes,'' he said; ``and
on your return you say you found things had not been going to
your liking?''

``That is it,'' assented the other, eagerly. ``I find that
indignation reigns on every side. I find my friends complaining
of the railroad which you run across their land. I find that
fifteen hundred soldiers are turned into laborers, with picks and
spades, working by the side of negroes and your Irish; they have
not been paid their wages, and they have been fed worse than
though they were on the march; sickness and--''

Clay moved impatiently and dropped his boot heavily on the porch.

``That was true at first,'' he interrupted, ``but it is not so
now. I should be glad, General, to take you over the men's
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