Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 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 unmistakable military air, was doing
his best to accomplish what as a 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. A nice
joke it would be if he would fall asleep
and get carried beyond the junction. -es-
peclally nice, considering the fact tina:
he had just five cents, and no more, in
his pocket.
Twenty miles farther on: we'll that
would take something. less than half an
hour. He certainly could keep awake
that long.
How foolish ne had been not to Dor
row some money of Edwards, when he
left him in New York. Dear old Ed
wards! But for him he might have got
something worse than broken arm in
that last tussle with the Sioux.
And, thinking of this, as he gazed
dreamlly out of the window, presently
quite determined all the while to keer
awake-the l.eutenant was back in good
earnest Ill his old life on the plains
marching and countermarching once
more, fighting and bleeding and often
well-nigh dying for his country, till al
length he found himself the sole survive,
of little band, that, penned in and sur.
rounded beyond hope of escape, had sold
their lives as dearly as soldiers lives were
ever sold. He thought now that he wa:
lying on the ground beside his dead steed
pretending death In the hope of escaping
mutiiation. when suddenly terrible saw
eye came along, and, bending over him
with weapon appraised, shouted distinctly
in his ear
"Steepbreok! Steepbrookr'
The young man aWoke with a start
Yes: there was brakeman, holding tn,
door open, and with the name still OF
his lips. He leaped uD, seized his ha
and overcoat, and hurried from the car
still only half awake. Then the trair
started on again, and left him STANDING
there on the platform in the rain. It wa
small country station, with no signs O.
junction anywhere about.
He went into the waiting room, and in
CURED OF the man there when the othe
train would be along.
"What o'her train?" was the gruff re
sponse-
"Why, the train from Boston. Ism
this Steepbrook Junction?"
mo, sir: it's Deepbrook. Steepbrook'
fifteen miles up the iroad.''
"Then I've got off the wrong place.
"Then you have"
when does the next train 90 through?
"beven-twenty to morrow morning."
The young man all at cnce looked NOR
provoked and bewildered than ever. N
train until morning, and here he wa
dropped down in barren spot, in tn
midst of a rain-storm, and oniv five cent
IN his pocket He had know difficult
and danger before now; but this was til
most appalling situation ever ercour
tered.
He looked around as If he expected a
angel OF deliverance to appear; then b
rubbed his eyes again. Whether he e,
pected one or not, there she was
young lady, with black eyes, and sauc
red lips, enveloped from head to foot in
blue waterproof.
Il beg your pardon, sir; is this Lie,
tenant Smith9"
He bowed, being unable to answer !
words. Who the deuce was this th
knew his name way out in the wilde
ness.
"Will you come out at once2' she col
tlnued, turning toward the door, and DIR
pairing to raise an umbrella. "The ca
rage Is here. You'll excuse us being
little late. We only got Fred's telegra
fifteen minutes ago"
Lieutenant Smith followed her mecha
ically. He made up his mind now til
he had not awakened from his drear
There was a carriage outside, with
tmall boy and a coachman in livery,
he front seat
'sYou had best take the back seat.n b
conductor direcred.
Still without word, he obeyed. Th
the driver took up the reins and th
drove off rapidly.
The Lieutenant sat like one conscio1
yet unseeing. He did not attempt to .
count for anything,-the whole thi
was too unaccountable. He did mary