Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-02-19
TIE ROMANCE OF A TIN BOX.
BY LOUIS A. ROBERTS.

THIS affair occurred in 1865, some time
in September. We fellows in the "Pay
Office" had gr0wled all summer because
we could get no vacation. The war was
Just over, you remember, and we were
doing an uncommonly lively business in
settling up with the paymasters of volun-
teers, who were being mustered out every
day
But by September the worst of the rush
was over, and TWO or three of the boys,
who had got in their applications first,
were granted months vacation. Among
these was Frank Wills, who lived up at
Cumberland, and who had been in Il stew
for the last three months to get off; and
no wonder He had confided in tie strict
est confidence, to nearly every nal in the
office, the secret that he was going up
home to marry 'just the gayest little girl
you ever saw"
There was a detachment Of regulars up
at Cumberland and Piedmont that sum-
mer, guarding q lot of Government stores
in those towns, and through somebody's
negligence they had received no pay for
six months At the end of that time the
Lieutenant in command took the liberty
to send in a respectful reminder to the
Department, and the Paymaster-G General
Immediately gave the rolls over to Major
Bramley, and directed him to go up and
pay off the men without delay.
Now, Major Bramley, as well as Wills,
belonged in Cumberland, and he was glad
enough of this opportunity to run up
there and spend day or two at home.
He lost no time in getting ready to start
and in the course Of the afternoon looked
in to see Willis and asked him if he had
any word to send to his mother. He was
surprised to find that Frank was going up
too, and wanted him to 90 along that
night This was Thursday night and
Bramleys idea was to get up to Cumber.
land so 40 to have full day at home Fri
day, pay off the troops on Saturday, and
then have another day at home Sunday.
Frank, however, didn't want to go till
morning. He had written to the gayest
little girl you ever saw that he would be
there Friday evening, and he didn't care
about putting in an appearance before he
was due.
"Well, then, Frank" said the Major, 81
want you to do me little favor | don't
quite like TO carry this box along with m<
at night. Now you'll 90 through by day
light, when there won't be the slightest
chance of any mishap. SO, what want
I'll call up at the house in the course o.
the evening and get it."
"All right" said Frank. "But come I'll
before eight O'Clock, will you? may bt
out after that time"
"Sure enoughr" said the Major, lower
ing mis- voice to the confidential KEY
When is it coming off,"
Monday morning. You must wait anC
see me through Won't yOI19',
"Of course | will, old fellow" said tn
Major, with all my heart. Well, then
I'll see you tomorrow evening. Dom
forget this box, whatever you do. Nov
must be off,
Hold on, Major" said Frank; what
in this bOX%
"Nothing but the payroll and the cas-
about forty-eight hundred dollars"
"All right!' said Frank.
Frank carried that box home to hi
room at Mrs Portman's as uncOncerne
as if it had been box of figs. This wa
not the first thing he had undertaken t
carry with him the next day to oblige
friend, by the way.
Sowhen he was finally ready to sta
he found that there was good deal MOI
of his baggage than there was OF him.
twice as much, at least; for besides Sc
eral little favors of his friends he had
big trunk and valise of his own. b
means of a wagon he got everything sal
" conveyed to the station, and it was n'
TIL he had reached it that he realize
tuily how heavily weighted he was.
bright thought struck him, however, a
most Immediately. There was room
MS trunk Tor something. Why not pl