New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-04-17
MACS RIDE.
EY GRACE GREENWOOD.


applied, through 4 friend, to the provost
marshal for pass, in order to cross the Po-
tomac for ride. He had been i'll, and re-
quired the recreation for his health. He re-
ceived pass, and dashed gayly of toward
Georgetown, presenting, on that occasion.
quite n gallant appearance FOR civilian, be-
ing handsomely dressed with half military
hat. cavalry boots and silver spurs, and being
mounted on a fleet and fiery Steed. The day
was beautiful as only an early spring can be,
in Washington, and Is our cavalier passed
into the suburbs, ana out into the country,
the delicate scent of the sprinEing grass undcr
foot, and of the bursting buds overhead. the
healing balm of the air, the tender warmth of
the sunshine, the light and easy action of his
horse, all filled and thrilled him with a fine
joy of convalescence. But Just in the height
OF his ioyances his annoyances began. He
had turned little aside from the road to wa
ter his horse at q spring, and while he halted
there, Stranger, who had been following him
for some little time, rode up, looked ut him
sharply and then brusquely asked who he was,
and where he was going. Il do not know
that it is any Of your business, sir, nor what
authority YOU have To question me- This
was said rather savagelv-the stranger seem
ed little alarmed, and putting spurs to hi,
horse galloped back towards Georgetown,
while Mac continued his way towards the
chain bridge. He had scarcely made half
mile when he heard horses galloping behind
him, aud presently two federal officers DASH
ed past, wheeled and faced him. with cooked
| pistols and menacng cOuntenanccs. Mac
| drew rein in angry establishment, and was
about to demand the reason of thi, baniitti-
| like proceeding, when one Of the officers
seemed to recognize him, and laughing, said
Excuse me, | took YOU for another man"
: h.. no Ia. Mo Ia
chatting, crossed the chain bridge, passed
Fort Marcy, and went some three or four
miles beyond out into old, deSOlated Nir-
GINA. suddenly, Mac perceived a change
had come DER the spirit of the day. 1t grew
| sombrc, and little chilly, with prospects of
rain, and, taking leave of his companions, he
| turned, and rode homeward at full speed. So
/ intent was he on getting back with dry
| skin, that he dashed through Fort Marcy and
! down the hill, toward the chain bridge,
| without drawing rein. Coming to n fork of
/ the road, he noticed some cavalry halted, but
/ held on his way, and though he presently
heard them galloping behind him, not dream
! ing that they could have anything to do with
| him, he kept bravely on till he also heard
! pistol shots, and bullets began to whiZ around
| his ears. Then thinking that matters were
| getting little serious, he wheeled and found
he was being pursued by whole company
of cavalry. He threw up his hands in token
of surrender. His pursuers dashed up and
| formed a hollow square about him, while the
officer in command saluted him, with sort
of grim courtesy, and addressed him as colo
mel. Colonel" exclaimed our innocent civ
ilian, now thoroughly irritated, what in
| thunder do YOU mean" and | am sorry to
say that he then, and at other times during
that trying day, made use of some strong
expressions which he never learned at sun
day school. "Who do you take Inc to be ?''
he tiercey demanded. The officer smiled, a
''wise, slow smile" "Ah, know you very
we'll, colonel. We all know you. There is
but one of your sort. HOw's your health,
colonel? Wounds quite healed, | hope :
Fine horse that, and you ride him calamity
by Jove."
Mac, for ali answer, triumphantIy pro.
duced his pass. Another knowing smile from
the captain of cavalry, as he examined it.
"Good name in Washington. May / ask
colonel, how long you have been Mcclure -
Just here, a one-cycd Irish soldier, on guarC
at the bridge rushed up, discharged at tho
prisoner a frantic vOlley Of oaths, and claim
ed the privilege Of shooting him on the spot
for having shot out me eye at Ccntrtvillc.'
lie actually leyeled his musket at Mac, ant
compelled him to seek the protection of his
captors, who commanded the iratc lrishmaT
to return to his post and keep the peace. In
few minutes our bewildercd hero was nj
lowed to proceed, but with the full cavalry
escort. He rode in sullen silence over Tia,
bridge he had crossed so gayly. That very
morning he arrived on the shore the captain
commanded halt, and called into anxious
consultation a colonel of artillery there sta
toned. This officer, altar kcenly aud some
what seyery scrutinizlng the prisoner, step
ped up to him, and said with an air Of stern
importance, Colonel, YOU will be pleased Il
di.mount here and w@lk into town.
Colonel" responded Mac, with quite a
stern and lofty an air. II shall not be pleased
to do any such thing. | have been i'll lately
and am not able to walk 50 far. Besides, m
horse is borrowed one, and 1 am bound L
, return it to its owner: moreover, deny you
. right to interfere with me in any way. Oh
the whole, 1 decline to di.m1unt." Their
. followed a whispered consultation among thu
officer, and finally it was concluded 10 scnt
. the contumaciVus colonel" under double
escort Of cavalry and infantry 10 Georgetown
Arrived here, Mr.. Mcclure underwent
severe examination before the provost mar
shall. That officer seemed to credit his stOr
as the others, but 10 feel for him The sympath
Of a generous iDemau." I'm tell YOU wha
: I'll do for you, colonel, he said; "Pll alloy
: you to dismount, and - into Washington i
inc hOi9c 'dl, - d''II iup4'HItf am HpSA
: your feelings"
t But this gracious consideration was un
! graciou-ly received by Mac, who wa. resolve
! 70 stick 70 his horse IL was A tempting ami
: NAL, and those were coni-catlug times. >
2 he was marched on, sill with this eNtraDr1
] nary escort OF cavalry and infantry, lDllowe
: by an excited crowd, t. the Olisc OF Gcner.
; Auger, then commanding at Washington
: There they found Colonel Taylor, a!le-dt
] camp, a very polite officer, who -ai1 "Wel
] colonel, what can | ID for your BY thi
p time Mac was tire! Il making explanation
i and asseyeFatlOns, - On.y answered, Il al
D., a prisoner; | don't know for what. I hay
: nothing to say" Colonel Taylor, not knov
q ing what 10 do with hun, sent him, still vi,
c his escort, 10 the proyost marshaPs oftic
4 When put in charge OF the otncers Of that d
e partment, he again Indignantly demande
= to know for what he was held in arrest, an
II marched about from pillar 10 post in this
t diculous manner. Here he hardly met wit
such gentle courtesy as was shown him
the last hating place. He was advised TO r
II frain from asking questions or making r
4 marks-goOd advice, probably, but the Tor
. Of speech was little Objectionable. 1t vas
u you keep your mouth shut" The blo'
Of free-b0rn, loyal American citizen was
. in our friend Mac, and he answered: ="
J. ninety-three dollars a month man, no militia
upstart like you, has night 10 order ms