Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-09-25

surrendered. Still more escaped
through .he woods, while the majority,
by dint of hoof and foot, reached il,
heavy British support, which was sent
back TO rcpel the attack. Burton, how
ever, had attained his wish, and en-
joyed the wild excitement of riding
straight at his enemies, saber in
hand"
The haggard, villagers.
whose lives had peer made IA burden
by the British occupation, greeted the
cavalcade in the dawn with shouts of
rejoicing. Friends and relatives, long
parted, embraced each other, and even
wcpt for JOY. Indeed, never before in
the old north state had there been such
IA general handsLaking.
George Graham. modestly declined to
receive any of the spoils himself. That
which would be of service to the cause
was stored for public use. and the rest
distributed among those who Gad suf-
feied the greatest losses. Excent the
dead, wounded. and a few prisoners,
no British soldiers r NAMED in the re-
gion. The first were buried ara the
others treated with IA humanity which
they had not always shown.
Well said George, leaning back in
his chair, .'such n supper as have just
eaten ought TO make one content with
his lot and at peace with all the world.
Thatll be my condition, | reckon. for
the next twelve hours. Then | shall put
Out for a visit to Joe. since the news
will do him more good than medicine.
But | shall be back soon, and then. fell
lows, I'm going TO raise = troop for the
regular service. There shall be no sit
ting down in the chimney corner for
me until the red coats have been driven
to the ships"
There was not n present but wished
to serve under George. Some were SO
young, however. that they felt they
must first consult their parents.
Burton now gave George a significant
glance, indicating that something
should be said which hat been agreed
upon beforehand. '.Ol,' resumed
George. good naturally, Il know how
< will be. Some can ride with me to
future exploits, and some cannot and
ought not to. | reckon the duty and
inclination of each will soon be clear.
But before we break up our old rela-
tons | feel that something should be
done to celebrate our happy escapes
and general good Misunderstanding
that will complete our experience to-
gether and leave the pleasantest of
memories. In order to bring this
about, | shall have to appeal to our
kind hostess and her fair daughter.
They both know that I'd bite my
tongue before I'd ask Il favor which
was not for their good as well as for
mine. Yet | am going to ask some
thing that will be a great favor to me,
and "A far greater one to my friend,
Burton Craige, and that is that we cele-
brate II successes and relief from
daily and hourly fear of every kind of
wrong by an old-fashioned country
wedding. Nay, good Mistress McIn-
tyre, do not start. | know you are
about to say that they are too young.
and all that; but | can tell you that
there's many a gray beard in the coun-
l ilil 10 bol OF a. VI u IItn 10
Burton. You are left without a hus
band; he without father or mother,
and the future Is uncertain to us all.
These are not ordinarily peaceful times.
We must secur what we can while we
can. What's more, when Burton gives
Ella his name. he endows her with a
goodly property, and provides for her
f,t,rn na l, r,elnC ~ 10 ,,tt,.
what may happen to him.
Yes, mother, dear cried Burton,
George knows how to talk and has
expressed my wishes-my dearest
hopes. Before | ride away with him
to new dangers want to call Ella my
wife, and give her all | have in the
world, with myself"
land we, Mistress Mcintyre" said
the other young men in chorus,
''wouldn't miss the chance of dancing
at Burton's wedding for all the pay we
ever expect from congress"
.'Well, wcll," said the good woman
smiling. yet wiping the tears from her
eyes, chow can | refuse anything to
such friends as YOU have been to me
and minep If Burton so wishes it
Angus, you have done so much toward
taking your fathers place, that you
after all, are the one to speak"
''Oh, Burton's talked me over re-
piled the boy, laughing, and his words
found an echo in a merry shout OF eX-
ultation.
Ella, meanwhile, had been standing
a little aloof, blushing like a Carolina
rose, as she was. Now she tossed her
head Indignantly and said: Rat I've
not been talked over. i reckon I've
something to say in this matter"
Every young trooper sprung from his
chair, overturning some in their eager
ness. and, led by Burton, knelt at her
feet. She tried to avert her face and
look aggrieyed, but their comical posi-
ton and outstretched hands upset her
gravity. Her mouth twitchcd, then out
chimed Il mellow peal of laughter. In
s%tantly Burton seized her hand, carried
it to his lips, and. standing by her side.
declared that he was ready for the GER
emony at once
1t was eventually arranged that the
wedding should take place a week from
that day, and that the happy pair