The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-07-18

behind, ostensibly to sleep on violent
headache. He promised to ride after and
catch them next day, but, through some
error, got aboard Gen. Terry's steamer,
the Far West, and made himself so USE
full looking after the wounded that the
surgeon in charge was grateful, and,
knowing nothing of his antecedents, gave
him certificate ON which he based an APP
plication for leave on account of sickness,
and went to Bismarck with the wound
ed, and thence to the distant east, where
he thrilled clubs and dinner tables with
graphic accounts of the Custer battle
and how we got up just in time to save
the remnant Of the Seventh.
The Eleventh fought all through the
campaign of rs and the chase after Chief
Joseph in IT; but Noel was again on
temporary duty at the war department,
and there he stayed until 10, by which
time various officials had become &C
quainted with some of the facts in the
case. The Eleventh "cold shouldered"
him for while after he got back; but
they happened to be now in region
where there were no "hostiles." and
where hops, germans, theatricals, tab
leaux and entertainments of all kinds
were the rage. No other man could be
half so useful to the ladies as Gordon
Noel. He had just come from Washing
ton and knew everything; and when
they took him up and made much of
him twas no use for the men to stand
aloof; they had to take him up too.
Lane was adjutant of the regiment at
this time; and he, having seen every re-
port and letter with reference to Mr..
Noel that had been filed in the Office,
would hardly speak to him at all except
when on duty, and this feeling was in
tensifed when, year or so later they
were suddenly hurried to Arizona on ac-
count of wild dash of the Chiricahuas,
and as the different companies took the
field and fastened in the pursuit Mr..
Noel was afflicted with rheumatic
fever of such alarming character that the
youthful contract" surgeon who had ac-
companied his troop held him back at
the railway and speedily sent him east
on q three months sick leave, which
family influence soon made six. And this
was about the record and reputation that
Mr.. Noel had succeeded in making when
Capt. Rawlins was ready to bet Capt.
Greene that, despite it all, the regimental
Adonis would get the recruiting detail,
vice Lane, for everybody knew Fred
Lane so well as to prophesy that he would
apply to be relieved and ordered to re-
join his regiment, and everybody was
eager to see him take hold OF poor old
Currans troop, for if anybody could
"straighten it out" Lane could.
The news that Noel was named by the
colonel caused sensation at regimental
headquarters which the Eleventh will
probably not soon forget. "Old Riggs"
had become the commander of the regi-
ment after it seemed that the Indian
wars were over and done with, and,
thanks to our peculiar system of promo
ton, was now at the head of an organi-
cation with which he had never served
as subaltern, captain or junior field off,
Ger. Discipline forbade saying anything
to his face-for which the colonel was
devoutly thanlsful-but everybody said
to everybody else that it was all Mrs.
Riggs doing, fact which the colonel
very well knew.
So did Noel, though he rushed into the
club room apparently overwhelmed with
amazement and delight:
IL supposed of course it would be Fol-
lansbee. l never dreamed he would give
1t to me. Come up, crowd! come up
everybody! FITS champagne today" he
jovially shouted; and there were men
who could not bear to snub him openly.
Nothing had really ever been proved
against him; why should they judge
himP But there were several who de-
clined, alleging one excuse or another,
and even those who drank with him did
so while applauding Wharton's toast:
"Well, Noel, here's to you! 1t ought
to have been Follansbee; but wish you
the JOY of it."