Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-05-16
BAKER PASHA.

BAKER PASHA.
History Of tho Affair that Blasted Ills Life
efforts for Els Pardon.
London Letter to San Francisco Argonant. 2N.
The most engrossing topic of CONVEX
sation in all circles at present seems I'M
questionably to be the proposed rein
statement in the army of Colonel Val
entine Baker-or Baker Pasha, as he is
best known owadays--and the incidents
of the event which caused his social
downfall are called back to mind and
discussed with an interest as keen as
though they took place yesterday.
In order to understand the matter
properly, it will be necessary to go back
to the year 1876, in the summer OF which
year Valentine Baker was the ieuten>
ant-colonel of the Tenth Hussars, one
of the, if not the, SWEETEST light cavalry
regiments in the service. He had been
in the service since before the Crimean
war, and had served throughout that
campaign as lieutenant in the Twelfth
Lancers. After that he saw service in
India and China, and became noted not
alone in those dashing qualities and
good looks which are supposed by the
readers of "Ouida" to distinguish all
typical "plungers" -as light-cavalry
Officers are called-but for thorough
knowledge Of his profession, particularly
that branch which embraces light cavalry
tactics. Indeed, when he became COM
nanding officer Of the famous Tenth,
he was looked upon as the finest light
cavalry officer in the service, and his
career as successful general in the
next European war that should break
out and involve England was accepted
as foregone conclusion in the minds
Of his admirers.
Although married man, with nearly
grown children, and though streaks of
white were growing painfully marked
in his dropping mustache, he retained
with. the fair sex those fascinating
graces Of speech and manner which had
ever made him the charming companion
he was, alike in drawing-room, boudoir,
club smohing-room. or at regimental
mess-table. Brilliant, handsome, gift
ed, clover, brave, and able, he was q IA
vorite among men and pet among wo-
men. He was a great friend of the
Prince of Wales-or rather, more prop
erly speaking, the Prince Of Wales was
great friend Of his. The prince was
the colonel Of the Tenth Hussars Gan
honorary position which gives pay and
uniform without requiring any duty in
return, and his being so, Of course,
gave an extra ecl&t to the corps and it's
officers.
In June, 1875, the Tenth were quar-
tered at Aldershot, and On the afternoon
of the seventeenth day of that month,
Colonel Baker left North Camp Station
by the southwestern train for London,
occupying frst-class compartment all
to himself. At Woking station, just as
the bell was rung to start the train on
again q wagonette and pair dashed into
the station yard. In it were Mr.. Click
enson Ia gentleman residing in the Vi
entity, who was driving his wife, daugh-
ter and groom. With barely time to
catch the train, the first compartment
Mr.. Dickinson reached he opened the
door Of, and put his daughter into. It
happened to be Colonel Bakers. I
don't know if her father thought any
thing of it at the time; but as it turned
out IL was the most unfortunate selec-
ton that could have been made for both
its passengers. Had Miss Dickinson
been put into any other compartment in
the whole train, her name and fame
would not be the public property it has
been for years, and the promising career
of one Of the cleverest officers iii the
army blighted. j <s /
Miss Dickinson was known as great
beauty ct this time. It was the period
when blondes we're all the rage, and she
was regarded as q sample to swear BY.
Her brother was an officer in the Royal
Engineers, and she herself WAS by no
means unknown at garrison balls and
PLACES where officers do mostly resort;
and her golden hair end azure eyes were
set off by 3 form and figure that might
have been a model for sculptor. Nor
was her dress the least of her attractions.
On the present occasion she was dressed
in a short travelling costume of blue
serge, which fitted her like glove, and
displayed beneath her scant draperies
it being the zenith of the "pull-back"
period pair Of fairy like feet in pat
ent leather boots and golden -c1ocked
blue silk stockings. A jaunty blue vel
vet round hat with a white gull's feath-.
er in it crowned her head, while mar
row strip of black lace served as an ex-
cuse for mask veil. 4
A friend Of mine who happened to be
in the train, has given me this descrip-
tion, accompanying it with the remark
IF the Judge had seen her then, per-
haps he wouldn't havs been so hard on
Baker. s5=ss 81
It may perhaps be only fair toremark
here, without wishing to say anght
against the young lady, that her repu-
tation among those who knew her was
one that would lead aperson into calling
her free in her manne s.s with men.
AT all events The train went putin s..
on again, and seemed all right until it,
stopped at Chaplain Junction Then
the passeng gers were thrown into q great
state Of excitement by the intel Iigenca
that when the tram had come lashing
up to the p1at form, the door Of Colonel
Bakers com IN TIN emit was wide open,
and the colonel holding fast with one
hand to Hiss Dick inson, who stood hat
less upon the step outside q great
comm tti ii FOL loved It'll many tears
and sobs the golden haired beautty told
her story, the gallant Baker was taken
into custody the yonng ladys relations