Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-04-11

Tor NHIr husband. but II 4 live I Will
bring him safely back 20 yon Now
let ne shake hands upon IT. Asd then
must 20. -
rode away, dimly conscious that I
had made fool OF myself, but still
glad to have given the woman little
consolation.
Wen, the regiment was soon full and
wo had marching orders. We were
sent down ihts Tho border to point
where We were not likely 10 see many
battles. but where there would be
plenty Of skirmishing. Ono OF the tirst
things TO be done was TO throw up a
sort Of emoankment on which some
large guns were to be mounted, COM
manding one Of the principal thorough
fares leading 10 the interior I de-
tailed jackson at once TO take charge
Of this work. Not that no was partic-
ularlv we'll fiNsi for IL, but / thought Il
would Keep him out Of danger. and he
did a. well as another, for all know
10 the contrary.
We had not been in camp many
weeks when orders came for me to
Intercept a railway train. which would
pass within few miles, loaded with
supplies for the Coniederacy. It was
not o very dangerous expedition, but
l did not choose that jackson should
be In It. and when he found that no
was not to 90 with us he showed
considerable disappointment or
course he knew better than to be in
subordinate, but 1t was easy to see
how he felt and, indeed, l overheard
him grumbling to one Of his COM
rades.
That night as we lay on the ground,
waiting for the approach OF the train,
l thought good deal about jackson.
l had him safe for this time, but 1t was
very evident that he was eager for ac-
tion and might find il hard matter
TO always keep him back. I abused
myself roundly for meddling with the
matter, but at the same time 1 re-
solved that, como what might, would
keep my promise 10 his wife, / would
take jackson home safe and sound.
Well, we captured our train without
losing a man and got back to camp in
safety,
Next time, Colonel, you'll take
me- won't youP" pleaded jackson, the
next day. | had been looking at their
embenkment and giving some direc-
tions about the mounting Of the
guns. walked away without making
any answer. "Confound you." said
TO myself.
About an hour later, I was quite on
the other side OF the ground, when |
saw one OF the men running toward
me- He was laborihg under great ex-
citement and / saw at once that some
thing had happened. Iwalted for him
10 come up.
Well, what is it. my manP" l said
as he came near.
Jackson dead" he painted out.
Impossible" / cried; II saw him
not an hour ago."
Yes, sir; but just after you left the
embankment gave way, right where
jackson was standing, and one OF
those heavy guns fell over upon him
and crushed him. We've got him
out and he's stont cad. The surgeon
Gays so"
Well, sir, Twas dumbfounded. Here
was this man, whom had taken into
the very hollow Of my hand, whose
safety had vouched for. whom | had
undertaken to guard as If were the
Almighty, dead. The first man in the
regiment to die couldn't say a
word. / had the body embalmed and
sent TO his wife at my own expense.
promised her / would bring him safely
home, and that was the way kept my
promise. The very means had taken
to save him proved his death. I tried
to write TO her, but hadn't the heart
to do it, and gave II up.
A few weeks later one OF the men
told mo that her barn had been struck
by lightning and the crops. which her
neighbors had harvested for her,
burned. After that l heard that she
was in an insane asylum.
1t was a lesson TO me. had tried
TO play the part Of al overrnling Prov
idsnco and had failed. never tried !
if-ag2in. -Jube a. Sabine, 10 Spring
field Csia.fJ RePublicah.