Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-06-18


I'm Dutchuan:'
Charlie Fulton asked, getting well out
brawny grasp.
CHAPTER XII
TREASON!
Roughing It in the bush, would have
been a good description Of Frank Be-
SAINTS mode Of life during the hot
months Of summer, when the Fighting
Fourth was marching hither and thither,
according to Bue11's cratic movements,
or as some evolution of the enemy
called for their attention. Take it for
all in all, the dog-days went by without
making any very vast strain on the en-
ergies Of young men who were unused
to fatigue and loss Of sleep by nearly a
years practice in the field; and even
James Lawson would have welcomed
the excitement Of something bigger
than a brush with the enemy. It was
picket and s!<irmish, skirmish and pick
ct with them. till the lads grew weary
Of the monotonous life they led.
One day. however, there came
change in this eternal sameness Of
things for Frank Besant at least. for his
and Charlie Buttons companies were
ordered out on accommodating expedi-
ton under Major Hopkins. which prom
Used to be full Of adventure.
The enemy was supposed to be lying
some forty miles to the westwa rd-sup-
posed, say. for beyond the unreliable
reports of farmers. Buell's officers, who
at this period seemed doomed to be
chasing shadows, had no idea of their
real whereabouts, and with the object
Of ferreting them out. had dispatched
this little expedition.
Two days they had marched and dis
covered nothing more formidable than
the scowling faces of women, who met
their inquiries with assertions that
were so palpably false that it was a
customary thing to read their answers
backwards.
81 can almost forgive Butler for his
brutal order at New Orleans" Major
Hopkins said. after an encounter with
a cottager's wife, in which ne had de-
cidcdly come off second best.
But that can not Frank declared,
with all the chivalry Of youth. ga
woman. you know, Major, is beyond
the reach of mans personal cnastise-
mcnt-something too sacred for"
''Oh. yes. boy. I know what you
would say, and do not think the worse
of you for your appreciation of the
gentlcr sex; but if this goddess of yours
chooses to cut up most unfeminine ca
pers what are you going to do about it?
I think that to degree Butler was justi-
fed in
ton interrupted. in a white heat Of in
-
lieve you would godfather such an Or
der under any circumstances. I say
to you, and I would say to Butler
himself, that his barbarity disgraced
his uniform
'sWhy, Charlie!' Frank calculated.
aghast at his friends passionate reply,
whose tones more than tho words rang
defiance of the Majors opinion.
81 mean just what l say" Fulton
continued. eve all suffer. What do
you think Southern ladies will think Of
Northern chivalry after this? tell
you they will class US all-the Major.
you, and every one-with the man
who babe his soldiers treat them like
outcasts."
Frank looked anxious1y in the Majors
face, fearing that Charles hot out
akin to treason, would bring him into
trouble, but the superior officer only
smiled as he said, with a meaning
glance at his subaltern: 81 know, my
lad, that your heart is stronger than
your head, and fear the Renaissance
of some bright-eyed Southern belle you
hays knewn y happier deys may have
made you unified to criticise General
toll v
s'And what if it has?''
The question was asked Extensively,
with flushed face and defiant gesture.
''Only that love is god who blinds
his devotees, and that If you have lost
your heart on the wrong side Of the
line, you are very much to be compass
sionated. Captain Fulton" and the
Major, as though tired of the converse
ton, turned on his heel and left the two
young men to themselves.
1.-The idea Of Hopkins promulgating
such rank heresy against the purest,
noblest women the earth can show! It
makes me riled all over, to think that
he could be so mean. Why, you look as
if you half-agreed with him. Frank, or
why those elevated eyebrows and that
expressive snigger?"
81 think" was the terse reply, 'that
you have made a fool of yourself. You
had no business to check the Major the
way you did, for there is no more con-
siderate man in the army than he is"
Then, what did he stick up for But
Ter for?'
''Oh, hang Butler!"
"With all my heart, my boy! That's
just what they ought to have done last
May. But about my checking Hopkins,
that is another question; so rest assured,
I'll seek an early chance to beg his par
dom
DOR Frank said, earnestly. 81 think
the world of Hopkins"
Next day they met with better sue
cess in their undertaking. On reaching
the crown of hill, which gave them a
fine view of a broad stretch of lowland,
they observed solitary horseman COM
ing towards them in the far distance.
The men. were flung upon the ground
enjoying their noon halt under the
| shadow of the trees, when the Majors
attention was called to the ==..proaching
figure.