Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-02-09
disarned tn

encountered.
Colonel Sumner, a friend and favorite
Of Jefferson Davis, then Secretary of
War, had been for over a year laboring
with his chief at reforms in the little
army of the United States. Their
gigantic efforts had ended in the inven-
ton of nat for the common soldier
that combined in it's ugly finish ease
and economy. 1t was light as feather
and ugly as an old stove pipe. At the
end Of these labors the Black Warrior,
an American merchantmen, was fired
into upon the high seas by a Span
ish man of war, and the oppor-
tur ity came, so long hoped for
bv the manifest destiny party of
Young America, for quarrel with Spain,
that would end, it was hoped, in the
acquisition of Cuba Dispatches were
prepared by the Secretary of State, Mr..
Marcy, demanding immediate explana-
ton and reparation; and at the request
of Mr. Davis, Colonel Sumner was
made bearer of these dispatches to the
impatient Pierre Soule, then Minister
of the United States at Madrid. Per
mission was also given Colonel Sumner
to visit various parts of Europe, for the
purpose of inspecting the army organi-
cations of the several war powers. In
this official guise Sumner visited Paris,
after delivering the important de-
spatches into the hands Of Mr.. Soule.
/ doubt whether the rough Indian
fiphter-as he was then-had been
much prepossessed with queenly gov
eminent by his experience and obser-
vations in Madrid
When he was presented to the Queen
by the polished, cultivated and able
Minister, Pierre Soule, the tall military
figure of the soldier evidently struck
her Majesty. That same day Colonel
Sumner received through the legation
an invitation to one Of the Queens en-
tertainments or suppers ia the palace
gardens.
1T is a great compliment paid you,
Colonel Sumner" remarked Soule.
SAT what hour precisely am l to go2"
asked the military bearer of dispatches.
"Go!" cried Soule, "you will not
surely go; you must decline on the
ground of severe indisposition.
"And why?"
my dear friend, you do not under
stand this jealous and treacherous
people. Were you to accept the invi-
tation, you would be assassinated
either in going or returning, or before
You could leave Madrid"
"a queens wishes are soldiers
command" responded the gallant colo
mel "When a pretty woman invites
me to an entertainment, will take my
chances"
And SO the resolute fighter tucked his
sword under his arm and left. He
appeared next morning at the American
minister's residence in good health and
spirits; and Mr.. Soule must have
strangely Inexperienced the Spanish
peoples jealous and reacherous spirit,
for Colonel Sumner came safely to Paris
on his return from his great diplomatic
mission.
Touching these entertainments in the
gardens of the palace at Madrid, Senior
Calderon de la Barca, who was so long
resident of Washington city as Span
ish Minister, told men in Paris. where
he appeared with a cotton umbrella and
carpet sack, an exile driven from the
office of Minister of Foreign Affairs and
his home by mob that rose to the dig
nifty of revolution, because instigated
by the Queen, that the government Of
his gracious sovereign Isabella was
about as open and shameless in its dis
sipation and corruption as if it had be-
longed to former age, when royalty
had the divine right to be wicked.
On one occasion great scandal was
caused by report spread over the city,
that at one of the little suppers in the
gardens Spanish grandee, who had in
herited with his title more adipose than
intellect, had been thrown naked into a
fish pond by his drunken companions.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs thought
it his duty to demonstrate with the
Queen; so asking an interview, he told
his story. and added his moral retiec-
tions.
1T is falsehood,n cried the Queen,
in some excitement; cit is a low ma
hcious falsehood. He was not naked
| saw it all; he had his shirt on"
Colonel Sumner was anxious to be
presented at the imperial court; and
after the proper application the honor
was accorded him, through our minister,
the Hon. John Y, Mason; also to Col.
ID. h McCrea, then our consul at Paris.
The day selected was Sunday, the one
ordinarily given to such ceremonies by
the court 1t was beautiful morning,
with sunlight softened from the glare
we suffer by the moist atmosphere
through which it shines in Paris. Col.
Sumner had his apartments directly
above' those we then occupied in the
Rue de Rivoh, and, for hours after
breakfast / could hear his heavy tread
while busted in the important prepare
tons for the grand ceremony. The