The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1891-03-21

nothing came of the remark, and the Of
fcers went away, but when half an
hour later Frank was summoned to the
/ Colonel's presence, he was not whit
! surprised, though he was considerably
astonisbed when the object Of the inter :.
view was explained to him. :;
.sBesant,'' TIE Colonel said, 81 ara
obliged to detach a man on special and
| am afraid dangerous duty, and Major
Hopkins agrees with me that no cne is
more fitted fer our purpose than your
self would not voluntarily place you
in peril, but the exigencies of the serv~
ice are such that have no alternative
nevertheless, you shall have the op-
portunity Of refusing, if you think the
mission too difficult for you to accom-
| plish.''
The Colonel, who was evidently i'll at
case, paused for his reply.
well, SIR Frank said. thoroughly
mystifed, II don't suppose am more
ready of comprehension than nay coan~
rades but could perhaps give you an
Intelligent answer, if you would kindly
! explain to me the nature Of the under
taking"
Just SO, boy. Really, Hopkins,
think my wits have gone d wool gather
ing tonight. Well the fact is, young:
man, I've got 10 send {. message in hot
haste TO General Lyon. The trouble is
that most OF our young officers are poor
horsemen, and this duty includes long
and hreakneclx ride over a rough COIN,
try Now o man from your county,
Lawson, think they call the fellow
saws you ride like "a csntaur, SO this,
wish your other qualities we are szaozss
familiar with, has driven rs to offer you
the post of danger"
And of honor y Major Hopkins add
ed soletnnly. '"There will he quick pro-
motion for you, lad, if you are success
full"
Both officers looked wistfully for his
reply,
ssOf course will CO. sir, Frank said,
CURLY. when do You wish me to
start?''
''spolzen Nize the brave boy knew you
were!'' the Major said, with enthusiasm.
| 'WlIy do you know, Besant. have aad
the greatest difficulty III persuading the
Colonel to give yon this chance he WIS
SO afraid of seeming s1ngratefnl for the
services you have rendered his son-lust
as Il the highest prize to q lad OF your
lnettle was not the post of danger"
Frank did not, it must be confessed,
lSeeenly appreciate the Majors logias
| but while he had 40 fooll1ardineas III
his disposition, he was resolved tllat'sle
would at all hazards do his duty, for lis
was not one of those dashing spirits thai
| loved danger for dangers sake. though
wien ne ;essitous peril came he would
be the last to shrink from it.
'You ma1st be ready 10 start at the
| first glin1mer of dawn" the Colonel
| continued ''You will carry nc arxaE
!! but these revolvers." He laid his hand
us he spoke on two heavy pistols. which
were OH his can1p-table. "You will
bear no written message, which might
get You into trouble if yon were caught
| by the enemy And you will ride the
best part Of the Journey in company
with young farmer, who has promised
to be your gaideat any rate as far as
! the Springfield pike, which will lead
| You to General Lyons headquarters,
AS for money, you had better go we'll
| Eeelecl, for a silver shield is often a
man S best protection.
| He pulled cut his purse ass he spoke.
! Don't mind that, sir" Frank sabid,
| LASTLY. II have more about a1e now
than it is perhaps prudent Tor me to-
carry
"Well, spare no expense. You shall
not be the loser Now to rest. for yon
will have heavy day before YOU
! will see you il, the morning and give
you final Instructions
And the last words Frank heard as he
left the Colonei's tent were:
IF any thing happens to that boy.
Cold and gray the morning broke,
| though it was in early August. Frank
had slept the sleep OF the weary, and it
| seemed to him as II he had not lain on
his blanket more than short hour
when an orderly reused him for the
days adventures. ......
| : He sought at once the Colonel's tent,
where he found Il good meal awaiting
hun. which he. had hardly dispatched
when Colonel Fulton himself entered.
"Now," he said, ''for your instruc~
tions. Ride, your hardest, but do not
kill your horse by overriding it. Avoid,
as far as you can, all villages. And,
! when you reach General Lyon, tell him
that zoe are comlaag. That is ali, Gro
now, and God be with your
Frank followed the orderly to aclump
of trees a quarter Of a mile from the
camp, where he found rough young
country fellow standing beside two
serviceable-looking horses, of the breed
chat has made Western Missouri ia
mous-light, strong. why animals.
'sure-footed as mules and gifted with an
endurance rivaling that of the steed
OF the Arabs. The man himself was
the typical product Of the sofia hardy,
sun-bnrnt fellow, with long flowing
black locks, DIRE ssed in homespun, wear
ing long cowhida boots, and carrying at
his waist a belt equipped with small
arsenal Of pistols and ammunit;on-~not
at all the kind Of gentleman nervous
traveller would care to meet on a lonely
road, though there were few honester