Nevada County picayune., 1889-07-03

diSmountcd and tied my horse Somehow l couldn't bear to go on without word of comfort to that poor woman. The children came crowdlng around me to look at m, uniform and one little white-haired chap hit me with his chubby fist calling me "a bad man to take his paw off.
 The women had gotten Mrs. Jack son into the house and presently one of them came to the door and called sharply to the children to Come away. and leave the gentleman alone.' Now was my time. stepped up and aacosting the woman asked if could see Mrs. Jachson for a moment. She thought not, :" she said, sourly. Mrs. Jackson was in great trouble. She would not feel llhc SCtIllS StlduSCio'
 urged it little; said thought she would feel better if she were to see me, so, finally, after much whis- pering and consulting and running in and out, they concluoLcd that might see Mrs. Jackson and 1 was ushcred into her presence. She was in her bedroom, sitting on the side of her bed, upon which she had evidently been lyIng. Her dress was much disordercd, her hair had fallen down and her face was red and swollen with weeping. l took her hand, which was cold and limp, and tried to say something to comfort her. She turned her head away and re- mained sullenly silent. At last l said, in kind of desporation'
 Mrs. Jackson, promise you that will bring your husband safely back to you. I will watch over him and protect him. He shall not go into battle. will keep him out of harms way"
 She looked at me now for the first time and seemed trife notified.
 "You'll forget" she said, pres cntly.
 No, madame. l will not forget" l answered. If l die l can not answer for your husband, but if l live I will bring him safely back to you. Now let us shake hands upon it, and then 1 must go"
 rode away, dimly conscious that l had made a fool of myself, but still glad to have given the woman little consolation.
 Well, the regiment was soon full and we had marching orders. We were sent down into the border to q point where we were not likely to see many battles, but where there would be plenty of ,kirmishing. One of the first things to be done was to throw up sort of embankment, on which some large guns were to be mounted, commanding one of the principal thoroughfares leading to the interior. 1 detailed Jackson at once to take charge of this work. Not that he was particularly well fitted for it, but l thought it would keep him out of danger, and he did as we'll Us another, for all know to the contrary,
 We had not been in camp many weeks when orders came for me to intercept d railway train, which would pass within a few miles, loaded with supplies for the Confectionery. It was not very dangerous eXpedi- ton, but l did not choose that Jack son should be in it, and when he found that he was not to go with us he showed considerable disappoint- ment. Of course he knew better than to be insubordinate, hut 1t was easy to see how he felt and, indeed, l overheard him grumbling to one of his comrades,
 That night as wo lay on the ground, waiting for the approach of the train, 1 thought q good deal about Jackson. l had him safe for this time, but it was very evident that he was eager for action and might find it hard matter to always keep him back. l abused myself roundly for meddling with the matter, but at the same time l resolved that, come what might, I would keep my promise to his wife, would take Jackson home safe and sound
 Well, we captured our train with out losing a man amt got back to camp in safety,
 Next time, Colonel, you'll take me, won't you:" pleaded Jackson