The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1871-04-06

| W he" HUH MY oIu COllInunueT, zen
Merton, whose good opinion was Ger
tainly very grateful to me, though !
feared undeserved. We passed some
moments in pleasant chat, during which
he informed ME that he was engaged in
mercantile pursuits, and that having
rather overworked, he had planned a
little trip to get sniff of sea mir, see
something Of the present condition OF
the South and look in on the soldier
boys, in whom he had always felt the
deepest interest, etc, etc. In withdraw
ing, invited him to call again at his
convenience.
The next morning I found on my
desk, accompanied by the compliments
of my new made friend, box Of cigars
of the most approved and costly brand.
A couple of days afterward, he again
called, and as he was really well inform.
ed and fine conversationalist, made
himself most agreeable for all hour or
so. While making bis Rdieus he seemed
to suddenly to recollect himself with
"Oh, by the way, Captain, I have found
several old friends here, and we are 60
ing to have quiet little supper ut my
rooms at the Ogalala House tonight,
and l should be most happy to have you
join u.s." For moment the thought
came, "can it he that, after all, you have
all axe to grind?' but as it seemed all
most discourteous to doubt him, hast
ened to accept his invitation.
The "petit souper" was voted a sue
cess. Two of the guests were army Of
ficers had met before, and the three or
four civilians seemed quite at their ease,
in the role of we'll to-do business gentle
men. Wine was freely drank, with, in
time, no inconsiderable amount of jing-
ling of glasses, singing of songs, and
lively conversation, but not to that ex-
tent that indicated that it WAS anything
more than it purported to be-a social
gathering of few friends At late, or
rather early, hour We separated, all ap-
parently well pleased with the affair and
each other.
The third or fourth: day after the en-
tertainment was an unusually busy one
with ME. Late III the afternoon, was
recalling how very tired was and how
pleasant q change of scene would be,
when up drove my late host with fine
carriage, and span Of matched road.
sters-the crack pair of the city-and
asked me to take an airing with him.
The fear that all was not right again
flashed over me, but after a moments
hesitation, was by his side. We made
a few turns through the fashionable
drives of the town, and then went dash
ing away at spanking rate, over one of
the finest drives in the land. When a
few moments Of this exhilirating speed
had put miles between US and the city,
my companion brought the nsgs down
to light trot, and then a walk. No
sooner had lie sobered them down to
this last gait, than, loosening the reins,
he turned suddenly upon ME, and with
voice and manner all changed, said in
tones short, sharp, aud incisivs: II see
y
ed. You're right. have been playing
a part. have an object in view. My
attentions have been for the purpose of
you. AS one result, am con
vinced that you are not man to be
palavered with. l shall therefore, state
the case fully and frankly, and you may
rely upon it from the first word to the
last. Up the river, not far from Buz-
yards Roost, lies hidden large pile of
cotton. 1t never belonged to the Com
fderate Government, but the looks are
against us. Beyond doubt, if discover
ed and seized it would be coufiscated.
Myself and partner have bought it, as
we believe, Of its rightful owner, but,
unfortunately, his bin of sale won't give
us undisputcd possession. That cotton
in New York city to day, would, at the
least calculation, be worth to US one
hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
The point is to get 1t there. We can
with your aid. We are willing to make
it an object to you. On the simple pass
>
to unload it from ba,ges to our vessel,
and permit us to sail, am authorized
to place in your possession, now, this
package" AS he said this he took from
an inside pocket bundle Of notes. As
if to see that all was right, he place it
on his knee, and turning them up one
at a time, l saw ten bright, new, and
Enthusiastically genuine Treasury notes
each for five thousand dollars. While
thus handling the bills, he remarked
with deep significance, "Whether you
accept or refuse, know that the United
States Government shall never be one
cent the richer for this cotton. We
have parties carefully stationed through
all the neighborhood, aud on the first
indication of movement to seize it il
will be given to the flames" He held
the notes towards me. Our eyes met. |
know l must have been very pale. |
trembled as in chill For an instant
felt as weak rs an infant, but the next
nerved myself to say, with some de-
cision, 'Iou mistake me, sir,--that is
not my style,-we will return to the
city, if you please He looked irreso-
lutte for moE.ent, then turned. and
without another word, drove back, left
ne at my Office, and l have never seen
him from that day to this"
Such was the Provost Marshal's story.
For some moments we sat in silence
and then said: Fifty thosand dol
lars! That's an enormous sum Of mo-
ney, Hal"