The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-05-15

corner near the National Hotel pre-
Paratory to separating, when cab was
driven to the curb near by. It's driver
was In alteration with a woman in
side the vehicle Governor Curtin
was even then telling the Senators and
Speaker the story of his meeting with
the old lady in the Capitol. The alter
cation attracted his attention. The
driver was using villanious language.
lie insisted that his passenger should
leave the coach then and there. or he
would pull her out.
something told me-" said the Gov
ernor, that it was my old lady who
was in trouble"
He stepped to the door ofthe hack
and looked in. The suspicion was con
firmed. She was the old woman whom
he had sent to the hotel, and she was
in trouble. The driver had not taken
her to her destination.
He had stopped at two or three sa-
looms and spent his fee for liquor. Pos
sibly he had forgotten where the old
lady was to go, but at all events he had
determined to drop her on the street
and let her shift for herself. He was
filling the. air with profanity and
threatening the poor old woman with
violance. The Governor was indig.
nant. He asked the hackman whether
he had not paid him to take the old
lady to specified place of shelter. The
driver swore that he had never
seen him before, and threatened to
punch his head if he did not mind his
own business. The Governors indig-
nation was getting the better of his
Judgment. Sherman and Grow tried
to calm him, but old Ben Wade grew
as hot as bird pepper and swore like
pirate. He not only wanted the
hackman thrashed, but he wanted to
help Curtin thrash him. The driver
was giant. He laid his whip across
the foot-rest of the hack and squared
away. He evidently meant to down
not the Governor alone, but the Sena-
tors and the Speaker.
Things were decidedly squally when
boy in blue came along. He carried
musket and carried the tail of buck
in his cap. The Governor recognized
the insignia. The soldier was a mem
Der of Colonel Kanes famous Bucktail
Brigade. Over six feet tall he was
brawny and well -proportioned. He
looked like raftsman, and he swung
along the avenue as if the world was
too small for him. He was promptly
hailed.
"Do you know me ?" the Governor
asked. '.'''
Eyes, was the reply. "You're Andy
Curtin, Governor of Pennsylvania.
I've seen you many a time at home and
in the field"
81 want you to do me favor" the
Governor continued, pointing to the
hackman, who had already begun to
skirmish with Ben Wade.
The boy in blue sensed the situation
in a twinkling. Turning to the Gov
ernor. he said: "Hold my musket."
Then he jumped between Ben Wade
and the cabman and sailed in. Itwas
rough and tumble worthy of the
days of Poole and Morrissey. The
raftsman proved too much for the
bully. He had terrific struggle, but
finally literally mopped the sidewalk
with him. The hackman looked as if
he had been through a tanning mill.
Governor Curtin ascertained the
name of the soldier, and placed the
old lady in his charge. She arrived at
her destination without further trouble.
On the next day he secured passes for
her, and she went to the front for her
boy.
Two weeks afterward Private Fox,
Of the Bucktail Brigade, received an
order directing him to report at the
Adjutant Generals Office in Harris
burg. Transportation and supplies
were furnished. 1t was bright and
sunny morning when he entered the
city. Without delay he sought the
Office of the Adjutant General. There
he was told that the Governor wanted
to see him. The way to the Executive
chamber was pointed out. The soldier
entered with his haversack swinging
at his side. The Governor stood near
table talking with friend. He saw
Private Fox approaching him. The
soldier was awkward and very much
embarrassed.
"Good morning, Lieutenant" said
the Governor, 'Tm glad to see you"
"Why, Governor" replied the boy
in blue, 'you make mistake. I'm
not Lieutenant. I'm only private" "
at is you who make the mistake >
the Governor replied, with a smiling
! face 'You were only private last
night, but you are Lieutenant this
morning. Here is your commission"
1t was the commission of the First
Lieutenent. The parchment was
gratefully accepted The soldier ex-