The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1890-11-07
GIRLS THEY LEFT BEHIND.

GIRLS THEY LEFT BEHIND.
In. Caster Tells How Cavalrymen Pine for Their
Sweethearts.
Early in the spring the Seventh
Cavalry found themselves again in
Kansas, writes Mrs. Custer. in her
new book. Some of the officers took
leave of absence, and after the years
separation from their families the re-
joicing was great Two of our num-
Der brought their wives back to camp.
Others were deprived of that pleasure,
because their wives could not endure
the hardships, or their children were
too young to bear the exposure. There
were great exchanging OF condolences
concerning the experiences OF the
officers on their leaves, and much
unreserved narrating Of domestic
scenes; for, full of railing as everyone
was, a mans family life was sacred,
and he felt that he could speak of it
freely; so it was indeed as If we were
one family.
Those who went homo amused US,
on their return, by their stories Of
how they had surprised tho home
people-stealing in at the back door.
catching up their wives and swinging
them in the air, while the frightened
servants, hearing the screams, ran
from the kitchen with hands covered
with -four. and the coachman from the
stable, still holding his curry comb.
all of them ready to defend their lady
against the imagined burglar or assas-
sin. One of our number reached home
in the evening while his little son was
sleeping. He was awakened in the
morning by the vigorous application
of pair of little fists on his face, and
an angry demand from the little
fellow, accompanied by some terrible
language that the youngster had learn
ed at the cavalry stables, to '.get out
of his mothers bed" He had, in the
year that had elapsed, entirely for
gotten how his father looked, and not
knowing he was coming, he did not
suspect the identity of the intruder.
Those officers who had no families
were busy over piles OF love letters
awaiting them from the east, and
sought in vain places where they
might read in peace, for those who
were not 80 fortunate as to have q
sweetheart rallied the lucky ones, and
interfered as much as possible with
the envied enjoyment. Still, it is a
well-known fact that soldier is usually
q lover. The old saw, Love rules
the camp, the court, the grove" IS
one that fits all nations and all eras.
Officers are pretty fearless about their
devotion; if not avowing it openly,
still wearing all sorts of love-pledges
~-chains and lockets which with the
open-throated shirt in a campaign are
easily seen, or keepsakes on the watch
chain; perhaps a curious ring which
could not be mistaken for a mans un-
Ger any circumstances, or other such
things. 1 have even seen a bangle
made large enough to encircle the
erm,an locked on. of course, by fair
hands. They did not hesitate to car
fy their sweetheart's pictures in their
FINER pockets, and around the camp
Ere take them out and look at the low
I'd faces by the freight the last thing
before sleeping.
Imagine, then, with all these Off
gers. most of whom were in love with
women, either their wives or the girls
they hoped to make their wives, what
time Of rejoicing it was when par
fial civilization was again reached,
and the cars of the railroad were al
most in sight meaning to them an OPP
portunity to go castor failing that,
1t least a daily mail! Every ones
heart seemed to be merry; the sound
Of laughter and song rang out from
She tents, and the soldiers danced in
the company streets to the music of
IN Irish bagpipe differing somewhat
from the Scotch instrument, but with
Just as merry music) that belonged to
erecruit newly arrived.
The Fed Rooms Of the Orient
The bed rooms of the Orient are far