Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-10

this room, and, treacherous as the people
are, 1 cannot think that he would allow his
| men to do us any harm. He generally ad
| dresses me as his white brother"
An active conversation was at the sam
| time going on between the other guests
who were discussing the farm at which il
would be best for neighbors to assemble in
case of attack. The settler, whose name
was Armstrong, had placed Ronald next
himself, while his comrade was at the end
of the table, these being the only two seats
vacant at the table when they entered.
Ronald and the settler chatted quietly
! together for some time. Mary Armstrong,
who had taken her place leaning on the
back of her fathers chair, when she had
seen the guests attended to, occasionally
joined in.
Mr.. Armstrong was pleased with his
guest.
II hope next time when you ride over in
this direction you will call in again." he
said. II can assure you that we shall be
heartily glad to see you, and, if you can get
leave off duty for night, to put you up.
1t is real pleasure to me to have chat
with someone fresh from England, and to
hear how things look after all these years.
Why, 1 shall hardly know the country
again, cut up as it seems to be with these
railways"
After the meal was over, Ronald and his
friend rode back to their quarters.
That's a nice looking little GIRL" the
trooper said, as they rode away from the
house; "they say her father is the richest
man in these parts, and that he owns lot
of property at the Cape. If I were him 1
should live there instead of this out of the
way place"
II suppose he is fond of a country life, {"
iad he
the remark; II should think that society in
Cape Town is not very interesting"
81 don't know that" the other replied.
81 know that if had money enough to
settle down there you wouldn't find me
many hours knocking about here as q
trooper"
"It's all matter of TASTE" Ronald re-
piled. "When was at home lived in the
country and prefer it to town, and like an
active life in the open air better than any
thing Cape Town could give me-"
That's q nice young fellow, Mary-that
man in the Cape Rifles" Mr.. Armstrong
said to his daughter the same evening. ct
should say the man is altogether above his
position, don't you think SOP"
81 do not know that thought much about
it, father. Yes, suppose he wasn't like an
ordinary soldier"
mot at all, Mary, not at all. I fancy
from what have heard that there are a
good many young men of decent family
serving in the corps. It's thousand times
better for young fellow that's got neither
mouev nor interest to come out here than to
stay at home breaking his heart in trying to
get something to do. Yes, / should say
from his talk, and especially from the tone
of his voice, that he had seen better days"
''It's pity the colony can't afford 10
fo0k lo,,r A. - Al.
Mounted Rifles. We should not hear much
of native troubles if they did. The natives
are much more afraid of them than of the
soldiers; and no wonder. In the first place
they are much more accustomed to the coun-
try, and in the second place they are armed
with weapons that will kill at a considera-
BILE distance, while Brown Bess is Of no use
at over hundred yards. Well, i hope that
young fellow will drop in again; should
like another chat with him. It's a pleasant
change to meet anyone who is willing to
talk on some subject other than natives and
crops and cattle"
A week later Ronald was sent with dis
patch to King Williamstown.
"There will be no answer, Blunt" Lieu
tenant Daniels said, as he handed it to him;
"at least no answer OF any consequence. So
you can stay a day in the town ii You like"
Thank you, sir; but as 1 do not care for
towns, Twill, if you will allow me, stop on
my way back at Mr.. Armstrong;. That is
where the cattle were stolen the other day.
and it will be on nv way from King Will
Jamestown. He invited me to stay there for
a day if could get leave"
Certainly, you can do so, the Lieutenant
said. .''You can hear if there is any news
OF the Kafirs stirring in that neighborhood;
they seem to have been bit more quiet for
tte last week or so."
irwo days later Ronald drew rein in front
OF Mr.. Armstrong; house. late in the after.
noon.
81 have taken you at your word. Mr..
Armstrong" he said, as the farmer came to
the door.