Soldiers of Fortune by Richard Harding Davis
page 44 of 292 (15%)
page 44 of 292 (15%)
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``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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