The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-11-25
Il GENERAL.
[The following sketch is q true one. Every
incident in connection with General Brad
ley has come within the experience OF a
friend.-AUrHOR.1

/. clan had prescribed a vacation, and ! wal
taking it in a summer boarding hous'
among the hills, in company with an uncl
and aunt and some pretty cousins.
One OF these cousins was Alice Brantley
She was an orphan, my uncle's ward, ane
she added to the attraction Of large darl
eyes and fair face that Of a lovely DISPOSE
ton and a strong character. This is not {
story OF my courtship. or / might tell how
| the erapevines were laden with their purple
harvest; the apples were showing thei1
purple harvest; the apples were showing IL
their golden color through the leaves; il
short, Row l had fingered far beyond my
convalescence, all for the Joy OF sitting il
the light of Alice's dark eyes and listened
to her low voice.
But the time was coming when we must
separate. She was poor, Ihad yet my name
and fame to make in the world. Wanting
a position as governess, she had replied tt
an advertisement from a lady in the South
Her application had been accepted; money
had been sent for her outfit, and she was
busy about her preparations.
Alice and l were together under a big
apple tree one morning, she stitching away
on some OF the numberless garments thai
women think they must have if they are
going to make a journey; l lazi!y lying on
the ground, trying to make her stop to cal
/ viz HOAASA "AUA IN = 90 PSASA
her, when my uncle came near with an
open letter, which he threw in Alice's lap.
II am glad you will have company
| child" he said.
Alice read it, and in answer to my in.
| quiries told me that DIR. B., Il %well-known
di"inr f-om one OF the large Eastern cities,
d duel nn Mai m General SnHsr I'I Bra ,tlL Of the Con-.
federate army, who was to come through
our town, and would accompany her to her
destination.
We thought no more OF it, except that
remember the inward curse l visited on the
poverty that compelled me to allow a
stranger to do the task that wouloslave
been SO delightful to me. Mrs. B., to whom
she had engaged herself as governess, also
sent a letter Of Introduction and we only
awaited his coming.
Well + remember the morning that he ar
rived. We were sitting on the broad piazza
in front of the house as he walked up the
drive with my uncle.
He was a man OF about medium height,
rather slight, but giving the impression of
great activity. His whole bearing was
that OF a soldier. He had a remarkable
lace and wavy brown hair. brushed back
from a high forehead, fair complexion, and
eyes that changed with every changing
motion, now laughing, now pathetic, now
keen and sharp, now earnest, never really
sinister or wicked. His gray travelling
coat and handsome brown valise became
him well. and his SLOUGH hat, of the s~oftest,
finest velvet, gave him a distinguished APP
pearance.
With the air OF good breeding shown by
a man OF the world, he acknowledged the
introduction which my uncle gave in pass
ing and, saying that he must remove the
duSf nj fra val ~ wopf fn bic mann
His coming marked an era in our quiet
life. 1t was the last week of August. Many
OF the summer boarders had fed, and those
that remained were perhaps the most cult
waited who had been with us. In those hazy
days OF late summer and early autumn there
was little to do but sit on the piazzas and
the changing lights on the hills.
General Bradley was here and there and
and everywhere. I have seen much Of the
world since, and Alice, my wife, is a keen
Judge OF men and things, but we can both
freely SAY that he was the most fascinating
man we had ever met. Added to his distin-
appearance he had a keen intellect
and was brilliant in conversation. His
sit On the piazza an hour at a time,
twirling the little cane which he always car
rled, now discussing a favorite author, now
telling a funny story, now a pathetic Incl
dent OF his army life. We ask no greater
pleasure than to watch the lights and shad-
ows of his wonderful eyes.
The ladies were charmed with him; one
Of my cousins mixed his brandy and water
and a rich young widow VINO had
many suitors at her feet, received his at
t%entions with evident pleasure. But he had
The tact which made no one Jealous, no one
unhappy in his presence. Not a pang crossed
my MIND in thinking that Alice would
with him. He was my ideal of a
was one OF pleasure that Alice would be 80
well taken care of.
He formed a special friendship for a gen.
who had a school in the neighbour
hood. l remember n evening as we sat
in the parlor that he turned to this gentle
man asked him to purchase for him a num-
Der OF books during his visit to New York.
Trusting to his memory he wrote down the
titles OF at least one hundred of the best of
books, and our friend readily promised to
as he desired and gave him the privilege
Of his discount. The General also proposed
to bring his brother to my friends school
Ind offered a generous subscription to aid
him in his work.
He stayed two weeks and then left for a
ew days. He was expecting to return and
bring his brother, then take Alice on their
Quincy.
He came back, but his brother was not
With him.
Harry came to the DEPOT he said in
"but was suffering SO much
rom a felon on his hand that l had not
he heart to insist on his coming. He will
)e here in a few days."
But all pleasant days must end, and the
asst day OF our pleasant season came. He
md Alice parted. He had left a substan-
ial check in the hands of his friend, and
We were all sorry hat we might never meet
i'm again.
We little knew how soon we should meet
i'm and under what different circum-
tances.
l fingered a few days to gather my things
ogether, and having fairly packed, was
pending my last hou with my uncle and
lis family, when our friend, the Professor,
suddenly into ourroom with adazed
ook, saying:
General Brad1ey's check has been re-
We could not believe our ears. General
dishonest! Impossible!
My uncle telegraphed at once to his cleri-
al friend in New York. Alas! DR.. B. knew
o such man. He was blind and wrote by
,eans Of a secretary, so that his signature
ad been easily forged"
I was crazy, maddened! Alice had gone
18th him! Where? Oh, where? l took a
and started in search OF her. l
my own savings, the bank fur
me more money and determined to
nd him and bring him back to justice dead
r alive.
followed them to New York, but they
ad left the day before. We traced them
means OF d small cane which he had left
be marked at a jewelry store. It was to
3 engraved From Bradley, OF Virginia, to
ush, Of Kentucky" and to be sent to Lex
gton, Kentucky. We followed them to
incinnati. I recognized his handwriting
q the register OF one OF the hotels in an as
,med name. As l pointed to it the clerk
ughed and said:
I'D like to collar that fellow. He played
J the neatest bit of roguery that I've seen
r many a long day. He vent to the
one night and brought back with
IN a chap that he picked up there. They =
ere as thick as hops. They must room
l had charge Of the safe. and as
icy came to the desk to get the key, your ,
send said to the other in the ARREST tones
you know what a way he had with him .
les, I knew)-'Now, you must excuse
e, sir; but, OF course we never met each
,her before. and l think it would be better