The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-08-08
The Bnlletin.
MAJOR TOM OCHlL.TREE.
some Good STORIES About the Ameri.
can Beau BrummeI

fHh b'tu bFUhbti'
Massella New Mexico INDEPENDENT
Everybody knows or ought TO know Tom
Ochiltree, OF Texas. Major Tom Ochiltree,
the American Beau Brummel, confident
Of JelI. Davis, bosom friend Of Grant, who
made him United States Marshal Tor Eastern
Texas. The most companiona5e, jollest,
good-for-nOthing fellow that ever lived on
other peoples money, Is Tom Ochiltree Of
the auburn locks. Tom served in the Con
tederaLe army during the war, and in the
Federal civil service after the war. He
"accep,ed the situation" after the "break.
up" Tom always accepted the situation,
or anything else that would be OF any bene.
fit 10 Major Ochiltree. As sl0ry-teller. a
stump-speaker and good fellow generally,
he has no equal He IL always impecun-
ious, always flush. How he gets money TO
spend no one cln tell; how he manages TO
live in a style it would require a million.
aires income to support, he probably can
rot tell himself. On one occasion he was
in England, a guest OF n nObleman who had
come ia contact with HIN during visit ~
th. country, and who had fallen in easy
victim 20 Toms unsurpassed hnpudence
aud powers OF fascination The English
man had taken Tom TO London and was en-
hibiting him 10 his friends as genuine
American hon. Tom was plentifully sup
piled with funds by hl- noble friend, and
wa cutting grand figure. One day Tom
and his friend met the Prince OF W ales at O
club. The n0biemSn asked permission OF
the Prince 10 introduce his Ameri an
friend leave having been obtained, Tom
wa. formally introduced 10 the heir APP
parent. lie grasped the royal hand and
shook it heartily, and then burst out,
"Wales, old fellow, I'm deyiii,h glad to
know you; lets take Il drink, The horror
Of the uobleman Was changed TO amaze
ment when the Prince gave Toms hand
hearty -h4ke and eplied, "D0n't care if
do Cheek carried the day. But that Is
not the anecdote started to relate. tell
II a. Tom himself related /. to me. During
the war he was aid-de-camp on the stan oil
General Dick Taylor, and was sent to carry
dispatches 10 Richmond reporting severe
ENGAGEMENT in Arkansas. lie was com.
pelled 70 cross down into TeXa, in order TO
make hi- way through the Federal lines.
one night h. stopped at line mansion In
Northern Texas. The only members Of
the family at home were an old lady and
her Young and lovely daughter. The only
son Of the lady Of the house was absent in
the Confederate army, Toms confederate
uniform secured him hospitable reception.
Tn. ndy had heard rumOrs OF great bat
tie hayin. been fought and was anxious to
obtain tidngs OF her son, and finally, after
Tom had given giowieg description OF
the battle, she hesitaungiy inquired if lie
knew OF young officer named -----. IA
the army. "know him, madam 80 cried
Tom, "why, be was my bosom friend. we
were intimate as brothers; in the heat Of
battle he fell by my side; was with him
during his last moments: he breathed his
last b cath in my arms The old lady
stared at him wildly for moment, then
-he cried, my son my son ~ and fell
taintlng into the arms Of her daughter.
The two ladies left the room, and for hours
Tom could hear their bitter sObs in an adj
Joining apartment. When cOpious floods
of tears had alleyisted their grief, the young
lady re.entered the room, her eyes red with
weeping, and wi tear-stained cheeks, she
approached Tom and said between her
sobs, Both my mother and myself desire
to know YOUR name that we may always
hold 1t in kind remembrance Tor your
friendship and devotion TO our dear, de-
parted George Miss said Tom, 81
only done what was required Of me AZ a
friend, so der and a gentleman. ! am
Major Ochiltree, Of the Confederate army
The young lady stepped back and respond.
ed with amazement. "What ~ she cried,
ARE you Tom Ochiluee" major Tom
Ochiltree at your service, Miss" was the
reply The young lady turned, and rush
ing back to the other room, cried out:
"stop crying, mother, it's all right, George
is alive and well. Why, that fellow is Lying
Tom Ochiltree, The man who would rather
lie on credit than tell the truth tor cash.
We have nothing but Toms word for the
truth OF the above anecdote, so on can be-
lieye 1t or not, as YOU please.