Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-12-05
3fGstellanp,
LONESOME CHARLIE.
The story OF a Western scout.

Ia the list of the killed in the Little
Big Horn bal,lc, is the name OF Charlie
X y ynolds s., Lonesome Charlie" Rey-
uolds. lie was one oil those remarkable
characters sometimes met with in the
rude life on the irOnusr-more remarka-
bic in some respects than is often met /;
Tor under his rough exterior there was
soul aS refined and gentle as ever reigned
in a woman's breast, and, as is unusual
in such cases. no amount Of vulgar asso-
citation or want OF kindred sympathy
could doll its lu3;re one degree.
When Custer was at the base OF Har-
ney's Peak in 1874. and the camp was
abl,71 with excitement over the gold
discoveries, he sent for Bloody Knife, the
chiel OF his scouts. and asked for m L.
dian to carry dispatches to Fort Lara
ME, 200 miles be.ow Us. Bloody Kni'e
shook his head solemnly and said in re-
ply:
"My warriors are brave. but they are
wise. They will carry bag OF letters
to For. Lincoln, but cannot ask them
to 60 through the Sioux country to Lara
mie."
Fort Lincoln was 200 miles farther
than Laramie. although the route TO the
latter place was 5eset with tenfold more
dangers. 1, led directly through the
Sioux hunting ground, and Just at this
time of year, the young men are all out
in hunting parties, so that the plains were
mll OF them. Bloody Knives braves were
R-es-a tribe for which the Sioux have
d hereditary enmity and he was too wise
20 ask one OF them 10 undertake so spici-
dal project. Bu. the mails must be
sent somehow. ard Custer was ponder
ing what to do. Charley Reynolds was
sitting by on the ground with his legs
crossed, cleaning revolver, seeming ly
insltentiye to the con versation. Custer
had beer thinking but 4 moment, when
Reynolds looked up and said;
IL will carry the mails to Laramie,
General"
Custer was familiar with courage in
every form. but such proposition sur
prised even him.
Il wouldn't ask you to 60. Reynolds,
he said
Il have no fear, responded the scout,
quietly when will the mails be ready"
Il Was intending to send them to
morrow night" replied Custer.
IN go tomorrow night"
And picking up his piece of buckskin
and bottle OF oil, Reynolds strobe quietly
away.
There goes q man." said Caster, who
is a constant succession OF surprises to
me. am getting so that | feel hu-
initiation in his presence. Scarcely a
day passes-and have known him three
years-that does not develop some new
and strong trait in his character.
would as soon have asked my brother
Tom to carry G mail TO Laramie as Rey-
nolds."
The next day Reynolds led an old, i'll
shaped, bony, dun-colored horse to the
farrier's. He was asked il he was going
to ride that animal to Laramie.
Yes, ,"ssid he in his quiet way. The
General let me pick my own mount, and
I've got one that suits me. suppose /
could have-picked out better looking
one. but this is the sort for my trip
Aud scanning the beast over he added :
"He kn ows more than man, if he is
bony. Look in his eye"
The farrier took the horses shoes of
and pared his hools neatly. Reynolds
then went 10 the saddler and had set OF
leather shoes made TO fit The horses feet,
so as TO buckle over the fetlocks.
"What are those forp" was asked.
az little dodge Of mine to fool the In
dians. They make no trail"
Then he packed three or four day.
rations in a saddle pocket, prepared q
supply of ammunition, and cleaned up a
long, oldlashioned rihe. Then. eating a
hearty dinner. he lay down under q wag-
on for nap.
About four O'Clock that evening, an
engineering party started off in the di-
rection Reynolds was to take, and sad