But I never told any of you, for fear of raising false
hopes. I did apply, and it was all straight, but at the last moment
the Department decided that I must have another witness to prove my
identity, and this I could not get."
"You had one witness, then?"
"Yes. A man named Crawford, who was in our regiment. He was appointed
an officer on the same day I was shot; but, as he was appointed
_after_ the occurrence they held that his single witnessing was
not enough, and so I had to hunt for another."
"And you never found the other?"
"No, though I hunted high and low. Some who saw the affair must be
still living, but I have not their addresses, nor do I know how to
find them."
"Did you ever advertise in the papers?"
"Yes; I spent fifty dollars in the columns of the leading dailies, but
without success."
"You have all the papers in the case?"
"They are in the trunk upstairs. If you can ever push the claim do
so--for the others' sake as well as your own."
"I will, father."
"How much it will be worth I do not know, but it may be several
thousands of dollars, and that, along with this house, which is free
and clear, may suffice to keep the family many a year."
At this juncture a violent fit of coughing seized Mr. Dare, and by the
time he had recovered, his wife and the three girls entered.
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