The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-02-03
A Game Of Life and Death!

!
1t was night in the camp of Maxi
milian's army, and sounds of merri
ment were heard upon all sides, fol
soldiers are ever wont TO indulge in
pleasure. regardless of what the NOR.
row may bring forth.
In q tent in the inner circle of the
camp sat two officers at rude table
upon which was marked with lead
pencil chess or checke er-board-white
and black buttons serving for the
men,
Around the tent were stationed
guards, and both of the officers were
unarmad, while not a weapon Of any
description was visible in their tent.
They were prisoners soldiers in the
service of Juarez, captured the day
before but their appearance indicated
that they were not Mexicans.
Both men were Of tall, commanding
forms, and OF easy, graceful address !;
but. while one had dark blue eyes,
light hair and mOustache, the others
eyes were large and black, and his hair
and moustache were brown.
Both men We're exceedingly hand
some, and bore upon their faces the
impress Of noble souls and fearless
hearts.
A love of adventure had caused
them to leave their homes in the north
after the close of the civil war, in
which both had fought brayely, and
cast their swords with Juarez, 10 aid
in driving from Mexican soil Ger
man Emperor.
CapOul Monteith, the blonde officer
was young man of wealth and good
family-a New Yorker, and a pet of
society.
Garnet Weston, the brunette, was a |
poor man, young lawyer of New
York, of good, but poor parentage.-
lie was possessed of superior intelli-
gence, and was fast winning a name,
when he crossed the path of Mabel
Monteith, the sister Of Capoul-a
OO0dty 1uN 0u lCIl COS
So deeply did Garnet love Mabel,
that he was miserable when not i'm her
presence, and he believed she cared
for him; but his pride was great, aud
he would not offer his moneyless hand
to belle and an heiress. and SO strug-
gled hard to win fortune and fame in
his profession.
One day, AL evil day for Garnet, a
pretended friend told him that Mabel
was his promised wife, but that their
had not yet been made
public.
Like one in dream Garnet Weston
aud then in despair deter
mined to seek some more stirring field
where the image of his lost love
would not be forever before him.
A month later found him a cavalry
captain in the army of Juarez, where
! few weeks later he was surprised to
be Joined by Capoul Monteith, who
lad also offered his services to the
Mexican President.
In an engagement, two days before !
hey were presented to the reader in
heir tent, they had been captured and
,arried into the lines of Maximlllian.
That night in camp they were play
ng a game of checkers, pour passer
e Temps and Capoul, who was an ex-
,ellent player, was surprised to see
low readily he was beaten by Garnet.
Suddenly there was a heavy tread
without, the sentinel challenged, there
vas response, and the next instant
hree of Maximilian's officers entered
he tent, one of whom was an Ameri-
AN, Republican fighting for Imperi-
i Mexico, against the Republic; an
'ther was flashy looking Frenchman
he third was a Mexican colonel.
''Gentlemen, am sorry TO disturb
'ou. but news come tonight that Ben i:
TO JuareZ has executed Il captain of
ur army, and have orders to select |
ne of you, and :march you forth to I
lie in retaliation, and the American ,
locked sad over the duty
e had to perform.
''H Ou cannot mean that one of us $
lust die for an offence against Maxi
lillian by Juarez ?" said Capoul Mon
eth, rising. s
''Even SO are my orders, but know |
OF which to select, for my duty is I
lost painful" (
Let the gentlemen play game for