River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-01-23
THE TWO OFFICERS.

On board the afternoon express, almost
alone by himself in the palace car, a
young man in military cap, and with
an unmistskable military air, was doing
his best to accomplish what as q matter
of fact, was impossible, viz, to keep him
self from going TO sleep. He was aware
that at Steepbrook, twenty miles farther
on, he was TO change to another train.
which would take him to Boston. 4 nice
Joke it would be if he would fall asleep
and get carried beyond the junction, -es.
pecially nice, considering the fact that
he had just five cents, and no more, in
his pocket.
Twenty miles farther on; well that
would take something less than half m
hour. He certainly could keep awake
that long.
How foolish ne had been not to bor-
row some money OF Edwards, when he
left him in New York. Dear old Ell
wards! But for him he might have got
something worse than broken arm III
that last tusSIe with the Sioux.
And, thinking Of this, as he gazed
dreamily out of the window, presently
-ttuAtC Tx uilLACd an INT Willlt ~ hGCF
awakc-the Lieutenant was back in g0ot
earnest IN his old life on the plains
marching and COMMUNICATING once
more, fighting and bleeding and often
well nigh dying for his country, till at
length he found himself the sole survivor
of little band, that, penned in and snr-
rounded beyond hope of escape, had sold
their lives IS dearly as soldiers lives were
ever sold. He thought now that he was
lying on the ground beside his dead steed,
pretending death IN the hope of escaping
mutt alton. when suddenly terrible saw
ege came along, nd, bending over him,
with weapon appraised, shouted distinctly
in his ear
"Steepbrook Steepbrookr'
The young nan awoke with start.
Yes: there was brakeman, holding the
door open, AMI with the name still on
his lips. He leaped uD, seized his bat
and OvercOat, and hurried from the car,
still only half awake TEen the train
started on asaiD, and left him standing
there on the platform in the rain. It was
a small country station, with no signs of
junction anywhere about.
He went into the waiting room, and in
qulred of the man there when the other
train would be along.
'What o,her train?' was the grufF re-
sponse-
"Why, the train from Boston. Isn't
this SteepbIook Junction.
"No, sir: it's Deepbrook. Steepbrook s
fifteen miles up the Eroad."
"Then I've got off the wrong place"
"Then you have
"W hen does the next train 90 throughs'
'Seven-twenty tomorrow morning"
The young man all at rncc looked more
provoked and bewildered than ever. No
train until morning, and here he was,
dropped down in a barren spot, in the
midst of rain-storm, and only five cents
in his pocket! He had know difficulty
and danger before now; but this was the
most appalling situation ever encoun-
tered.
He looked around as if he expected ar
angel of dellverance to appear; then he
rubbed his eyes again. Whether he ex
pocted one or not, there she was,-a
young lady, With black eyes, and saucy
red lips, enveloped from head to foot in a
blue waterproof.
II beg your pardon, sir; is this Lieu
tenant Smithf'
He bowed, being unable to answer in
words Who the deuce was this thar
knew his name way out in the wilder
ness.
''Wiu you come out at once2' she con
hnued, turning toward the deer, and pre-
pairing to raise an umbrella. "The car
riage Is here. You'll excuse us being a
little late. We only get Fred's telegram
fifteen minutes ago
Lieutenant Smith followed her mechan-
ically He made up his mind now that
he had not awakened from his dream.
There was a carriage outside, with a
lmall boy and a coachmaa in livery, on
he front seat.
You had best take the back seat his
conductor directed.
Sill without word, he obeyed. Then
the driver took up the reins and they
drove of rapidly.
The Lieutenant 81 like one conscious,
vet uuseeing. He did not attempt to &C.
count Tor auvtai g,--the whole thing
was too unaccouut hi He did marvel
much even when the young lady present
Iy remarked
eYour arm has gotten along finely, Mr..
that You still wore It in a Sing
Who the deuce was Fredi and bow did
he know about the broken aTml Was ne
really in dream still! or had he been
mistaken for somebody elsel ii the lat
ter was true, it was all very strange in
deed; and he could not regard it as moth
ing less than a special providence ar
ranged for his miraculous deliverance
from rain sud starvation. Ii was not for
him, a mere lieutenant ct infantry, to in
terfere with the wise designs of Omnis-
cieRcc. IF there was any mistake he
made up his mind that he would not i'm
mediateiv correct it. Nay: 1t was no
his duty to lend himself 10 the fraudi H'
would carry it out If possible, for few
hours, az least; then be would take
French leave. and sneak off early. HI
must have supper, and a nights lodging
somewhere.
80 he finally mustered courage to loOl
az his companion. The hood of th'
waterproof was thrown back now, reveal
ing bright piquant face under beeom
ing turban hat Sire was not looking q
him. He had hardly spoken a word sinct
they met; and she was good dea
puzzled, and not a little disguised. Wa
this the friend Fred had gene into costa
cies oveTl and who had been such a liOi
1T the tbs West Point balls last season
She took heart, however, when at last b.
neCsn to talk a little, although his con
varsafio7 amounted 10 nothing more thaI
Question now and then II reference I
some passing object. When, presently