The morning call., 1890-11-30
WIVES AND
SWEETHEARTS.
About Those Left Behind by Sold.
iers Going to the Front.

Mrs. Custer, in her new book, Following
the Guidon," gives some very interesting
incidents of military life, among them the
following about wives and sweethearts:
Early in the spring the Seventh Cavalry
found themselves again in Kansas. Some of
the officers took leave of absence, and after
the years separation from their families the
rejoicing was great. Two of our number
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 was great
exchanging of condolences concerning
the experiences of the officers ON their
leaves, and much unreserved mar
rating of domestic scenes; for full
of railing as every one was, mans fam
lily life was sacred and he felt that he could
speak OF II freely, SO it was indeed as if we
were one family. Those who went home
amused us on their return by their stories
of how they had surprised the 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 flour, and the eoachman
from the stable, still holding his curry
comb, all of them ready to defend their
lady against the imagined burglar or as
sassin. One of our number reached home
in the evening while his little son was Sleep
ing. He was awakened in the morning by
the vigorous application of a pair Of little
fists on his lace, and an angry demand from
the little fellow, accompanied by some ter
rible language that the youngster had learned
at the cavalry stables, to ''get out of that
bed" He had, in the year that had elapsed,
entirely forgotten 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 sough in vain places
where they might read in peace, for those
who were not so fortunate as to havea sweet
heart rallied the lucky ones, and lnterferred
as much as possible with tile envied enjoy
ment. Still, it is well-known fact that
soldier is usually lover. The old saw. Love
rules the camp, the court, the grove is one
that fits al! 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 Campaign are
easily seen, or keepsakes on the watch
chain; perhaps curious ring which could
not be mistaken for mans under any cir
cumstances, or other such thinks. l have
even. seen bangle made large enough
to encircle the arm, and locked on, OF
course, by fair hands. A Catholic officer
Vi Yen NOIc al a5uNo bci, anu pSiiONC thab
many a man would have disfgured himself
with an earring if the girl he left behind
him had asked to pierce his ear for that
purpose They did not hesitate TO carry
their sweethearts pictures in their inner
pockets, and around the campfire take them
out and look at the loved faces by the fire.
light the last thing before sleeping.
Imagine, then. with all these officers, 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 partial civilization was again reached,
and the cars of the railroad were almost in
sight, meaning to them an opportunity to go
E4st-or failing that. at least daily mail!
Every ones heart seemed to be merry; the
sound Of laughter and song rang out from
the tents, and the soldiers danced i'll the
company streets TO the music of an Irish
bagppe differing somewhat from. the
Scotch instrument, but with just as merry
music that belonged to recruit newly ar
rya1