Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-23
OWED HIM HIS LIFE.
Tho Debt That Texan stiil Is Under to an
Alabama Congressman.

Ihe DEBT That a Texan still Ia Under to an
Alabama Congressman.
From the Kansas City Times
Speaking Of Congressman recalls that viva
cious and nervous little man, Gen. Wheeler,
who represents portion of Alabama. Wheeler
is the feather t-physically-of the House.
II is as good exercise to sit and watch
Wheeler. He letters and trembles and fiutters
about the House and the Hobbies while session
is being waged, very much like one Of those
agitated small snipe common to tho marshy
Drinks Of our western water courses.
Some fault was found by his colleagues with
Wheeler for what they considered his mis-
guided courses. He several times got every
body but himself into grievous trouble and
proved himself TO be good kind OF democrat
to keep in Alabama
However" said Col VIM Green Sterrett of
Texas, on an occasion when some light mention
OF Gen. Wheeler was made at the Press Club,
II never feel like saving anything against Gen.
Wheeler. I feel like owed him my life
1T was this way continued Col Sterrett In
a conversational way, pausing briefly TO forever
destroy some whisky which poisoned the scene.
when the war broke ont L was youth, living
at my fathers house in the great state of Ken
lucky. | was not more than twelve wears old,
but nv views were very pronounced. I was
life to tear this shrinking country right in two
in the middle and leave it on both sides of the
road That's the way / felt then, though
have modified a good deal since. Ny
father did not entirely share in the violence
of my feelings, and after pointing out with
his boot the impossibility Of my coping with
the times l dwelt In sent me to a little town
over in the mountains to school Among other
public improvements which | found there was
a stockade or palisade which was manned by q
dozen or fifteen Yankees, whom /, of course,
hated feverishly. Great was my childish Joy
one day when passed. of secesh cavalry jumped
in and run EN- out. 1 went right down town to
eloat over our victory and got there just as the
men in gray were trying to burn the palisade.
Here Bud.' said one, just as came up, and
at the same time tossing me his bride reins,
hold NV hoss a minute
Il took hold of the horse and stood waiting
while nv patron ATTEMPTED TO start a conhagra-
ton. While he was at this happened to per-
ceive a couple of regiments Of Yankees of a
mile or two on the hills. They were heading
our way. too. This demonstration filed me
with doubt. / was mighty careful boy and
wasnt anxious to lei those Yankees catch me
clear out on the tip of my limb by a good deal
Say, mister! yelled, come and get your
horse
And it's only fair to say that he came right
along.
las he settled in the saddle had an idea
Mister, asked, putting NV boyish hand on
the bride cant you take me along with your
"'You're too young, my son, he said.
"'Im older than look, l replied. I'm just
small of my age.
"'Perhaps YOU be- he said. looking at me,
and YOU aire likewise mighty peert; but I'll
tell you, Bud, you amt go: no hoss'
"'Well, answered, if you'll get me q gun
I'll get boss in the first mile
1.-The man thought a minute, like he vss
looking the question all over, and 1 began to
think l was surely going to war. when he
asked:
Son. do you know who our gineral is2
No, DON'T l replied.
"'Well. he said. I'll tell You. He's ragin'
and onfettered eediot named Wheeler; and by
the way he's p'intin' out he's due to git us all
killed or captured shore before ever we git
back: and to be entirely frank with YOU, Bud
sech bein' the conditions, don't want no chill
dren on nv hands,
Snow, if I'd gone that time" concluded
Col. Sterrett, assuming air of cold distrust
toward certain whisky which had somehow got
ten in front of him as he unfolded his yarn,
Il feel mortal sure I'd been killed or lost, there
FORE as 1 remarked" and here Col Sterrett
reached for the unaccountsble whisky with the
resigned air of man who had made up his mind
to distasteful draught rather than plunge a
peaceful scene into strife, Il always felt as If
owed life TO Gen. Wheeler"