Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-06-19

was always inches thick with slimy.
clinging mud, about of the sickness"
and consistency of soft soap, naviga-
ton up it was most laborious and down
it was only likely to be too rapid, per
Slide" instead of step.
Some of the boys may also recall to
mind a certain political General who
commanded there for time-a man of
brains and standing, hut too old and
opinionated ever to learn to be soldier,
though of course, in his vanity, he
thought he knew it sall." His special
hobby was that malt liquors, or spirit
uous, such as whisky and brandy. were
fit for neither man nor beast to drink,
and he devoted his time to keeping
them away from the post. But cham
paign was fit drink for gentleman,
and so our General used to fiddle him
self with the "fz" about six nights in
the week. When about three bottles
We're empty and the General was full,
then he would prowl around the earri-
son to see if he could catch some SEN
try asleep, or some officers playing
cards or drinking. He was full of
soldier and dignity and @champ" at
such times.
Well, I was post field officer of the
day on one occasion. 1t was about
midnight, and I was making my
rounds.
As rode near the bank of the mud
dy Mississippi, spied the light of
steamer coming up. and soon her whis-
tie sounded the tidings that she would
stop at our landing. The provost
guard would be on hand to attend to
matters connected with military af-
airs, I knew, but curiosity, and in
truth the desire for good nip" at
the bar of that steamboat, induced me
to brave the horrors of that cut and 90
down.
did SO, leaving my horse in charge
of my orderly at the head of the cliff.
I had my "nip"-perhaps two; saw
the steamer back out and move away,
and then started on the weary strug-
gle to the top of that miserable ditch.
It was a bright moonlight night, and
as I toiled slowly up, 1 espied some
one carefully picking his way down on
the opposite side. As I drew near he
stopped, and in the swaying figure I
could easily recognize the "old man,"
full again, and ION prowl."
Directly I heard, in deep, thick
tones, the command, "Halt!" and I
halted.
"Who COOS thru" was next thun-
dered at me.
"Post Field Officer of the Day." was
my reply.
I made my way across and placed
myself before rockers"
"D'ye know w'o Tm?"
eyes, sir"
"W'o'm II"
"The General commanding this post,
sir"
"Sho; we'll, then. misher Posh F'ep
Ossifer Day-'f Pm Shen'ral C'mandin'
Posh, shir. was TIL devil do you mean
by goin' up hill when Pm goin' down %
had no answer to make to any such
poser cut and ran-made probably
the best time known in getting up that
hill, and whenever | see, hear tell OF,
or read about "fuss and feathers"
martinez, my thoughts go back to that
night when I received the most aston
ishing lesson in military discipline, duty
and etiquette it has been my fortune
To have known before or since.-Amer-
ic1n Tribune.
Not Afraid.
Shortly after the second battle OF
Rnll Run, Mr.. Warren Lee Goss, hav-
ing injured foot, was "lmping along
in the rear of the army like a true
straggler." The route was in Mary
land. -
MARYLAND was the first place, since
T had co,oe to the front, where we we're
oreeted with smiles from women and
Children. At a pleasant farmhouse,
naar Damascus. where flowers grew IN