The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-05-03

man 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 his hack, and squared away. He evil
IDENTIFY meant to down not the governor
alone, but the Senators and the Speaker.
Things were looking decidedly squally
when boy in blue came along. He carried
musket, and wore the tail of buck IN his
cap. The governor recognized the insignia.
The soldier was amember Of Colonel hane's
famous Bucktail Brigade. Over six feet
tall, he was brawny and we'll proportloned
He looked like raftsman and he swung
along the avenue as though the world was
too small for him. He was promptly
hailed.
"Do you know me?" the governor asked
him.
Eyes," was the reply. "You are Andy
Curtin, governor of Pennsylvania. l have
seen you many time at home and IN the
field"
II want you to do me favor" the gov
ernor continued, pointing to the hac-,man,
who had already begun to skirmish with
Ben Wade.
The boylin blue sensed the situation in q.
twinkling. Turning to the governor, ne
said: Hold my musket"
Then ne jumped between Ben Wade and
the cabman and sailed in. 1t was 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 though 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 frontin search OF her boy.
| Two weeks afterwards Private Fox Of
the Bucktail Brigade received an order di-
] roofing him to report at the adjutant-gen-
erals Office in Harrisburg. Transportation
and supplies were furnished. 1t was a
bright and sunny morning when he entered
the city. Without delay he sought the Of
flee 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 gov
ernor stood near a table talking with a
friend. He saw Private Fox approaching
him. The soldier was awkward and very
much embarrassed.
Good morning, lieutenant, said the gov
ernor; 81 am glad to see you"
why, governor replied the boy in blue,
''you make mistake. 1 am not lieuten-
ant l am only private"
'It is you who make the mistake" the
governor replied, with a smiling face, You
were only private last night but you are
a lieutenant this morning. Here is your
commission
1t was the commission of first lieuten-
ant The parchment was gratefully ac-
cepted. The soldier expressed his thanks,
He was modestly asserting doubt as to his
merits, when the governor replied: s.
know your record. You eau truthfully say
that you won your rank by service on the
battlefield"
The governor dispensed the usual hospi-
talities, and Lieutanant Fox departed. Hi:
4 fate showed that he richly merited the dis
tinction. Within three months he became
a captain and afterwards major. He wa
shot through the heart while leading hi
regiment as its lieutenant-colonel ina charg,
at Spottsylvania.
AMOS ]. CUMMINGS.