Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-07-12
HIS SECRET.
How I Forced It Out of Him at
the CannOn's Mouth

flfSI, some soldiers on nOrScDdck went
tearing by with terrible clatter,
leaving cloud of dust behind them,
then it was all quiet for an hour.
heard tranping. and looking up to
the crest of rising ground in the north.
saw the road packed with soldiers on
foot. They came quickly up. and i
scarcely had time to see what they
looked like before those in front had
passed. They didn't march like SOL
diers had seen in the city on gala
day. when was a little girl; they hur-
ried along. each man walking as he
liked. ] wondered how they could go
SO fast. they were loaded down so.
They carried great heavy knapsacks
and blankets, and tin pans and cam
teens. besides their muskets. They
looked more as if they were going to
set up housekeeping than TO war.
While | was leaning on the window
sill. looking out and watching them.
saw young officer ride into the yard,
just as if he belonged TO the place-Or.
rather. as if the place belonged to him
and back toward the barn. Two SOL
liers rode close behind him. and they
got down off their horses and went in
to the barn. l thought at once they
We're after our horses. My pony was
there. and I made up my mind they
shouldn't take him without walking
over my dead body. ran downstairs
and out to the barn. If ] had been
making forced march myself
couldn't have gone faster. Before
got there they had two horses out.
and were Harvesting them to the farm
wagon. | marched straight up to the
officer and asked him what he was do
ing.
lie was trihe startled at seeing
girl standing before hin, looking as if
she intended to make a resistance.
Were pressing all the horses and
wagons We find along the road" he
said.
What do you mean by pressing
them9"
We're pressing them into the serv-
ice
What for?"
To carry the mems knapsacks.
They can march faster
DO you think it makes it any more
respectable to call ii 'pressings"
The officers face was flushed. /
thought it was because he was ashamed
of his work: but soon noticed that he
was in burning fever.
You shan't take my POM. any
way" cried. going TO a man whowas
leading him out of the barn. and seiz-
ing the halter.
Never mind that horse" said the
officer: Its only a pony. Take it
back into the stable.
The man obeyed at once. They har-
messed two horses to the wagon. and
led the team into the road As the sol
diers marched past it they threw
their knapsacks on the wagon. and it
was soon loaded, and one Of the ne
grOes drove it away.
just then an officer came along with
a number OF other officers and a train
of horsmen following him. noticed
that he had stars on his shoulders, and
wore a straight sword instead of a
crooked one like the rest
Captain" he said. looking at the
officer who had taken our horses and
wagon. you'd better not try to go any
farther"
Il can 60 on. General. It's only in
terrnittent.
The General cut him short with:
''Stop where You are" He spoke so
sharp that / thought he was going to
bite the Captains head Of wished
the Captain had the courage to answer
him, but hadn't The General and
those who were with him rode on. leav-
ing the sick man sitting on his horse
looking after them. to take careof him
self - best he could. noticed he wore
tho same ornament On HE cap - those