The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-10-23

Only Q short distance from the Ari-
Eona border, with the blue range of the
Santa Catarina shutting out the sunset
sdes, with sand and cactus and Spanish
bayonet on every side, the old post Of
Fort Graham stood in the desert like 0
mud colored oasis. All the quarters, all
the store houses, stables, corrals and
barracks were built Of the native adobe;
and though whitewash had been nber-
ally applied, especially about the homes
Of the officers, and the long Venetian
blinds at their front windows had been
painted the coolest Of deep green's, and
clear running water sparkled through
the acequiaS that bordered the parade,
It could not be denied that at It's best
Graham was an arid and forbidden sta
ton, 90 far Is one could Judge by
appearances. Trees, verdure, turf were
items almost unknown within q days
march Of the flag staff; but In
the old times when the Navajoes
were the terror Of the wide south
west, and even the ComAnches
Somstimes carried their raids across
the Rio Bravo del Norte-the Rio Grande
Of today-ths post had been located"
where II might afford protection to the
"Forty- Miners" and to the pioneers Of
the prairies; the rRns-continental trail
led past its very gates, and many Q time
and OFT the miner and the emigrant
THANKED God and the general govern
ment that the old fort was placed Just
where It was, for Indian pursuerS drew
rein when once In sight Of It's dingy
walls; and % from year to year for more
than thrice decade the flag was raised
at sunrise, the post was always garri-
Sonsd, and now, with the Southern Pa
clio piercing the range but . short dis
tance below, and landing stores and for
age ct the quartermAster's depot within
four miles Of the corrals, II became easier
to maintain force Of cavalry ct GrA-
hAmi and one Of the troops there sta
toned was Lanes new command, the re-
hct Of the late lamented Curran, ''tho
Devils own D"
An easy going old dragoon was Cur
ran, and for years before bis retirement
It was an open secret that his first ser
geant iran the troop" to suit himself and
that the captain never permitted hs sub
alterns TO interfere. A more independ-
emit, devil-may-care, and occasionally
drunken lot Of troopers were rarely gath
cred In one such organization, and while
steady and reliable men on getting their
discharges ct the end Of their term Of
enlistment would refuse to ''take on"
again In D troop, but would go over to
Capt. Breese or perhaps TO . company at
another station, all the scamps and roll
licking characters in the regiment would
drift over into I'D" and be welcomed by
the choice spirits therein assembled.
And this was the gang that Capt. Lane
was now expected to bring up with .
round turn and transform into dutiful
soldiers. obedient to the colonSls be-
hest, he had stopped over q couple Of
days at headquarters, had had q most
cordial greeting from every officer at the
post, had called on all the ladieS-not
emitting his fair defamers-snd then
had hastened on to Graham and his new
and trying duties.
Every day, as he was whirlad farther
from the home Of her whom he 90 de-
vooedly loved, ne wrote long letters TO
her, filed with-only lovers know what
al. And his heart 1eaped with Joy that
topmost IN the little packet Of letters
awaiting him at the adjutant's oflc0
when he reached his post was . dainty
billet Addressed TO him In her beloved
hand. Unti1 he could got his quarters
in habitable condition tho nsw tEoopi
commander was the guest Of Capt. and
HFs. Nah; and he could hardly wait for
TIE close Of that amiable woman's well
coming address 10 reach his room and
aSvour every word Of that most precious
misGivO. She had wTitten-ble9 herI-
the very day after he left, and . Sweet,
Womanly letter 1t was-so shy and half,
timid, yet % fun Of faith and pride In
him. Every one u Graham rsmArksdl
On TIE wondsrful change for the bettorl
hat had come over Lane Anco hO Wsntl
Ngk NaIsr bad thsy seon him % Joy