Louisiana capitolian., 1880-07-20
APPOINT OF HONOR.

tall. reserved man, in the uniform OF a
cavalry offierr, who sat ut the head OF
side-table. Beside me was Queens
messenger, Capt. Bolton, who, ,ofcourse,
knew everythingande andeverybody,fr from the
gossip Of the legations which he visited
lin sprofessional capacity; SO l asked
him who the grave-lookiDg soldier
might be. His reply was startler.
"That is Field Marshal E;senberg,'
answered the Queens messenger cool]y,
naming one of'the first soldiers Of our
age. "He always dimes here, and has
done 50 ever since l have been in the
line.
"Odd place to pick up Field Marshal
at dinner in public house, isn't it, at
least in these piping times ofpeace'"
"Haw exclaimed Capt. Bolton, who,
like several of the distinguished corps
to which he belongs, is an agreeable
Rattle. ''Ha, thereby hangs tale
don't you know it =
Ihad just returned-for l, too, am lin
the line'-from Barataria, whittier /
had been sent by grateful country for
not belonging to one of the governing
families then in power, SO | replied,
somewhat to Bottoms astonishment, II
did not know it,
"Well, then," remarked the Captain,
gaily,'"I will tell it you when have
done with this pheasant and melon
salad, which is too good to spoil for an
anecdote."
He eat for some. time in silence and
with such an evident sense of enjoyment
that did not venture to question him
further though noticed certain preoc-
cupied air about him, as though howere
trying to recall some half-forsotten
Incident, or we're, perhaps, trying to
put it into language would do more
credit to his reputation as an expert
narrator. by and by, when the coffee
came, he lit cigar, which had been sent
him by little Jinks, our Vice Consul at
the Havana, and as the first wreatbs OF
perfumed smoke curled round about
him, be thus delivered himself 1.-THE
Marshal used to have SON.
As he spoke the gaunt, upright figure
Of the famous military commander strobe
by. He turned his haggard face towards
us as he did so, but there was no specula-
tion in lis eyes, and the life that was in
him seemed to serve only to carry heart
that was dead. Though every one at
the hotel made way for him with sort
of awe-stricken respect, he saluted no.
body, but passed out into the street like
some mournful spectre, not terrible, but
unutterably sad. Then we heard the
clank of his harness in the ante-room,
and once his sword smote against his
spurs as he girded it on Then he was
gone. His appearance had served but
to emphasize Capt. Bottoms statement,
that he used to have a SON."
The Queens messenger, who lad been
Interrupted by the solemn apparition
above mentioned, threw back his head
perhaps to get better view of his sub
ject, took long pull at his cigars, fin
ished his coffee, began his liquor and
then went onwith his story.
Yes, as l was saying. Field Marshal
Count Elsenberg had son who was one
of tho finest young men in the army. lie
was in light cavalry regiment, and all
tho girls went mad about him. You
never saw a fellow better built, OR with
more downright pluck in him. Hang
it, sir, he deserved to be an Englishman,
and used to toll him so when l passed
through here, and could get days
shooting with him at Edelsheim-a
grand place his Governor had then. 1t
is sold now Never was more CHEEKY
or better companion than Rudy Elsen
berg. He could ride as we'll as Lord
Cork, and shoot snap shots with any one
you like to name. 1t wasn't all glitter
either about him. He had been out in a
big war, and done all sorts of fine things
His nerves were said to be wonderfully
stesdy under fire, and he had ridden
we'll to the front in one of tho bloodiest
hand-to.hand fights on record. Ofcourse
he did not rise in rank very quickly, fol
theMarshal would not hear of his being
promoted out of his turn, and there was
nothing of the cocktail about him, so he
did not put himselfin the way OF special
service to shirk his regimental duties
but every body looked upon him, with
good reason, as a man who was booked
for every prize of life that does not &C
by favor. Not chap in the regiment
from the colonel to the piper, had a word