The Soul Of Sergeant Todd

"I wasn't so much of a soldier," said the soul of Sergeant Todd, (Fumbling at his medal, that statement sounded odd.) "I wasn'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 didn't come single file. If you wasn'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'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 didn'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!"