Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-05-03

near the National Hotel preparatory to
separating when a cab was driven to
the curb near by. Its driver was in
alteration with a woman inside the
vehicle. Gov Curtin was even then
telling the Senators and Speaker the
story of his meeting with the old lady
in the capitol. The alteration attract
ed his attention. The driver was using
villainous language. He insisted that
his passenger should leave the hack
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 of the hack
and looked in. The suspicion was con-
frmed. She was the old woman whom
he had seat to the hotel, and she was
in trouble. The driver had not taken
her to her destination. He had stopped
at two or three saloons, and spent his
fee for liquor. Possibly he had forgot
ten 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 violence The governor
was indignant He asked the hackman
whether he had not paid him to take
the old lady to specified place of shell
ter. 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 in
dignatiOn 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 a
pirate. He not only wanted the hack
man thrashed, but he wanted to help
Curtin thrash him. The driver was a
giant. He laid his whip across the foot
rest of his hack, and squared away. He
evidently meant to down not the Cover
nor alone, but the Senators and the
Speaker.
Things were looking decidedly squal-
ly when a boy in blue came along. He
carried musket and wore the tail of
buck in his cap. The Governor rec
ognized the insignia. The solder was
member OF Col. Kane's famous Buck
tail Brigade. Over six feet tall, he was |
brawny and well proportoned. He
looked like raftsman, and he swung |
along the avenue as thounh the world |
was too small for him. He was prompt |
ly hailed,
"Dou 20 know me?" the Governor
asked him.
Yes" was the reply. You're Andy
Curtin, Governor of Pennsylvania. I've
seen you many time at home and in
the field"
- 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 twinking. Turning to the Cover
nor, he said: "Hold my musket."
Then he jumped between Ben Wade
and the cabman and sailed in. 1t was
a 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 MIN. The
hackman looked as though he had been
through tanning mill.
Gov. Curtin ascertaned the name of
the soldier, and placed the old lady in
his charge. She arrived at her deStin2-
ton without further trouble. On the
next day he secured passes for her, and
she went to the front i'm search of her
boy.
Two weeks afterwards Private Fox,
Of the Bucktail brigade, received an
order directing him to report at the
adjutant generals Office in Harrisburg.
Transportation and supplies were fur
nished 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 cham |
Der was pointed out. The soldier en-
tered with his hayersack swinging at |
his side. The governor stood near a
table talking with a friend. He saw
Private Fox approaching him. The sol
der was awkward and very much en-
barrassed.
Good morning, lieutenant" said the
governor, "I'm glad to see you"
"Why, governor" replied the boy in
blue, lyon make a mistake. I'm not
lieutenant. I'm only private"
at is you who make the mistake,
the governor replied, with smiling
face. you were only Il private last
night, but you are a lieutenant this
morning. Here is your commission
1t was the commission Of first lieu
tenant. The parchment was gratefully
accepted. The soldier expressed his
thanks. He was modestly asserting "A
doubt as to his merits. when the gov
ernor replied: Il know your record.
You can truthfully say that you won
your rank by service on the battle
! field"
The Governor dispensed the usual
Inequalities and Lieut.. Fox departed.
His fate showed that be richly merited
the distinction. Within three months
he became captain and afterwards a
major. He was shot through the heart
while leading his regimen rs its lieu
tenant colonel I'm charge at SpottSy-
vania. AMOS .. CUMMINGS