THE SOUL OF SERGEANT TODD

“I was n't so much of a soldier,” said the soul of Sergeant Todd,

( Fumbling at his medal, that statement sounded odd. )

“I was n't so much of a fighter, but when they came, and came,

Yelling and shooting, I just got mad, and I reckon I did the same.

Into my trench they piled — just boys —

Making a most outlandish noise.”

A Corporal's soul beside him nodded and mustered a smile:

“You handled a dozen at once,” he said; “they did n't come single file.

If you was n't‘ much of a soldier,’ or shirked in your duty — well, say,

What sort of a chance have other men got when tested on Judgment Day?

You fought them all, you did; and when

They quit, you started in again!”

“Shut up!” said the soul of Sergeant Todd; “you're still in my squad, McQuade,

I say that I lacked what you did not lack — courage to die, unafraid.

I was a coward, a trembling coward, deep in my craven heart;

I fought with the fear of that fear at my soul, playing no hero's part!

You can n't understand it — but I

Had none of the courage — to die!

“And now that I'm dead,” said the troubled soul of the one-time Sergeant Todd,

“It did n't seem right that those who live should think I have met our God

As a brave man does: his honor clear, with his courage unscathed and whole.

On this high plane there is no room for a fear-troubled human soul;

So Sergeant Todd” ( he bowed his head )

“Fears no more — for his body's dead!”