Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-04-25

jackson was in great trouble. She
would not feel like seeing strangers. !"
urged it little; said / thought she
would feel better if she were to see
me, so. finally, after much whispering
and consulting and running in and out
they concluded that I might see Mrs.
jackson and I was ushered 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 disordered, her
hair had fallen down and her face was
red and swollen with weeping. took
her hand. which was cold and limp.
and tried to say something to comfort
her. She turned her head away and
remained sullenly silent At last l
said. in kind of desperation:
!. "Mrs. jackson, promise you that
will bring your husband safely back
to you. will make him my especial
charge. l will watch over him and
protect hi,l. He shall not 60 into bat
tie. 1 will keep him out of harms
way"
She looked at me now for the first
time and seemed trifle notified.
You'll forget" she said. presently.
mo, madame. I will not forget" l
answered. IF l die can not answer
for your hus band, but if l live I will
bring him safely back to you. Now
let US shake hands upon it, and then l
must go"
1 rode away, dimly conscious that l
had made fool of myself, but still
glad to have given the woman a little
consolation.
Well, the regiment was soon full and
we had marching orders. We were
sent down into the border to point
where we were not likely to see many
battles, but where there would be
plenty of skirmishing. One of the first
things to be done was to throw up a
sort of embankment, on which some
large guns were to be mounted, COM
handing one of the principal thorough
fares leading to the interior. l de-
tailed jackson at once to take charge
of this work. Not that he was partic-
ularly we'll fitted for it. but thought it
would keep him out of danger. and he
did as well as another, for all know
to the contrary.
We had not been in camp many
weeks when orders came for me to
interceI railway train. which would
pass within few miles, loaded with
supplies for the Contederacy. II was
not a very dangerous expedition, but
l did not choose that jackson should
be in it. and when he found that he
was not to 60 with us he showed
considerable disappointment OF
course he knew better than to be in
subordinate, but it 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 hao him safe for this time. but it was
very evident that he was eager for &C
ton and might find it hard matter
to always keep him back. abused
myself roundly for meddling with the
matter, but at the same time l re-
solved that, come what might, would
keep my promise to his wife, l 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 you?" pleaded jackson, the
next day. had been looking at their
embankment and giving some direc-
tions about the mounting of the
guns. walked away without making
any answer. ''Confound you," l said
to myself
About an hour later. was quite on
the other side of the ground. when ]
saw one of the men running toward
me. He was laboring under great ex.
element aud saw at once that some
thing had happened. WAITED for him
| 10 come up.
Well, what is it, my man" said
as he came near.
jackson dead" he painted out.
Impossible" cried; Il 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 just got him
out and he's stone dead. The surgeon
says So"
Well, sir. was dumbfounded. Here
was this man, whom had taken into
the very hollow of my hand. whose
safety had vouched for. whom I hai
undertaken to guard as If l were the
Almighty, dead. The first man in the
regiment to die. l couldn't say 8
word. l had the body embalmed ani
, sent to his wife at my own expense.
!, promised her would bring him safely
home. and that was the way kept m.
y 4