Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1870-05-13
NO. 10.
uU.uORs or THE OLD .sH.uI'.

Upon certain occasion, the precise date
of which is not necessary TO mention, when
detachment of troops was about setting
out from the Missouri River upon long
march across the Plains, and when the
limited amount Of transportation rendered
il necessary to reduce the officers baggage
to the minimum regulation allowance, the
commanding officer, who was never known
to consume much time over books, but sell
dom declined pressing invitation to par
ticipate i'm social glass, was applied TO by
young subaltern just from West Point for
permission to carry along small package
of books which he had provided himself
with to while away the dull monotony Of
garrison life. The commander replied that
ne was always ready and willing to do any
thing in reason for all his officers; but,
when transportation was so very limited,
as in that particular instance, he did not
feel authorized TO cucumber the wagons
with such useless trumpery as books. lie
was very sorry TO refuse, hut it was impos-
sible 10 comply with the request. The
young gentleman went away greatly disap-
pointed and shortly afterwards another
officer, particular friend Of the commands.
er, came up and made application to have
a barrel of whiskey transported in the wag-
ons, Which probably weighed ten times as
much as the lieutenanps rejected little
parcel Of books. To this request he receiv-
ed the following reply:
"Cerainly, Lieutenant-certainly Sir;
OF course you can take along barrel or two
of whskey, or any thing else in reason i;
lint thn i,Inu nF 1uunIoriutr nm nv 1voe,oua
with books is most preposterous, and must
say that l am astonished at such an unrea-
sonable request coming from any officer Of
my command
This same officer was once presented with
sword by a friend who assured him that
it was genuine specimen OF the rare Tole-
do blade. lie himself. it is true, had not
very clear conception of what was meant
by this peculiar designation OF the weapon,
Us viii appear in the sequel; but he was
confident that it was something better than
the regulation sabre, and priced 1t highly.
lie often exhibited the present to his friends,
who generally concurred with him in the
discussion OF its merits; but upon one oc-
casion an officer, who proiessed to be a
connoisseur in such matters, ventured to
| EXPRESS Il uOuDl as " lnc vi
al, remarklng, at the same time, that but
very few well-authenicated Toledo or Da-
mascus blades could now be found in any
part OF the world, and that probably the
most of these were in possession OF rich
! Spanish hidaigos, who could not be induced
to part with them dt any price. Moreover,
! added lie, the secret OF manipulating the
steel from which these rare specimans of
art were produced was lost in the seven
teenth century.
The proprietor OF the weapon, at this at
tempt 10 cast shadow OF doubt upon its
genuineness, became quite excited, and
jumping to his leet, exclaimed, i'll loud
tome oil voice: spanish hldalgo-h-l! l
tell you, SIR, this Is no counterfeit, but a
real Simon pure Toledo blade; and pledge
| you my WORD, sir, that friend o1 old Toll
edo himself assured me that this was the
very last sword The OLD man made before
| he took sick and died. ten. IL. u. Mdrcy,
| u, HdTpos'o MUgo =,t,e JOr APrit.