Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-12-02

ANN IN nVutu new been glad 10 zee
more OF him bnt bis regiments gone
out 70 Fort Lewis, an | reckon he
eOulda't get no leave along Of them
Indian troubles"
The frontiersnan stopped and
scraped match TO relisht bis cigar.
The tram vas running at full sreed
ION the iron trail over nearly the
same route as that taken by the
wagons in old days, but con-
sumlng only hours in progress which
cost them days. How changed
was everything on the road +
Where, only few years before. the
wagner and the dragon, the Sioux
and the Comanche, had found nanRht
to break the view in the desolate re-
gion stretched to the horizon. were
now seen not only houses and barns.
but school-houses and churches. The
young girl and her mother, the tour
lists, the emIgrants-all the passen-
gers making the journey for the first
time, looked with interest and surprise
at the wonders wrought by the hand
OF man and still the train sped on
toward the setting sun, until that
orb sank, in blazing light, under the
rim Of the prairie, and the solemn,
silent night threw its mantle over the
near and distant scene. Through its
long hours, as through those of day,
the untiring iron horse, with inexhor-
able strength. whirled the long train
toward the mountains
1t was early in the morning that
sudden stop was made. Uncle Dick
went to reconointre and soon came
back to report. Miss Daisy and her
mother were sitting in their section as
he approached.
We've struck streak Of bad luck
now, said he. "Somethin's broke on
the engine an they We got to telegraph
ahead for another. She can't be here
for three hours at least"
Where are we?' asked Mrs. Rob
mot.
We'll, by this new tangled way of
reckonin, they call this mile post No
$40, but / know every inch OF this
ground an we're just across the river
from a place where I've he'd many
good time-Bent's old fort.
To the surprise of her daughter
Mrs. RobinOt started sharply. rose
almost to her feet, turned pale and
then flushed to her eyes Only with
great effort did she command herself
sufficiently to speak.
Can We not visit that fort p she
asked.
We'll, it amt fur away and it's
only matter of crossin the river If
We kin get some kind of boat or raft
I'll 90 an see, and he left the two
by themselves. The mother took her
daughters hsnd and turned to her.
My child, said she, in low tone,
many years ago | lost dear friend,
who died far, far away, as 1t then
seemed and the place where be was
buried has been to me, through ali
the part of my life which has passed
since then, as il in some other world
Now, what you may call chance has
arrested our progress near a spot OF
which | hear the name repeated for
the first time since the courier brought
the sad news TO me, a young girl like
you. 1t would make Inc happier to
look for once at that lonely grave"
She sat silent for time, closely press
ing the girls hand, and then Uncle
Dick returned.
at waren't such a bad streak OF
luck arter all, SAIL he, with a broad
smile on his honest tace. "rhars a
couple Of officers an squad men
thets been campei near here takin
some photographs. They re over thar
to the fort now, an We'll hail eth and
git EN- to send their raft fur us.
They walked down the slipping bank,
AMI when they pushed their way be-
tween the cottonwood trees, which Oh
structed the view, there was the an.
cient fort, ruined and dil4ridated. but
preserving something OF It's old form
and dimensions. \ hail brought
raft, poIed by two soldiers, and 10 a
few moments Mrs. Robinot, guided oy
Uncle Dick, TO the northwestern cor
ner, found the grave OF him who had
been laid there nearly 40 ' ears before,
The wood Of the headboarl was hard
as iron no vandal hand had invaded
tins humble imitation Of Gods acre.
and the name could still lie dec,pherrd.
Mrs. RObInot was overcome for a mo-
ment, and she held her handkerchief
to her eyes while Uncle Dick was
speaking. Yer hedn orter take on.
now, really, ma am, said he. He
was a good man an brave man, and
he went to glory nigh on 10 year ago.
| allow You amt got no cali to grieve
fur him now an here's the captain
come to pay his respects.
Mrs. 2obinot removed her hand.
kerchiet from her eyes only to start
more violently thaa before for, fac
ing her, cap in hand and smiling, was
the living counterpart OF him who had
come, when they both were Young, TO
bid her goodbye and in uniform,
100. And then, stranger still, il was
her own daughter who, coloring to
her reyes, introduced to her this breath.
ing reminder OF the past.
Mamma, said she, this is an old
acquaintance Of mine. | told YOU |
met him on the plains, but perhaps /
did not mention his name-Captain
Leonard Hanlin-"
'Of the-th Cavalry, very much