The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-11

was dragged below the falls, and detectives
throughout the country searched for him in
vain. To-day his wife received letter
from him. lie hal joined the army and is
staloned at Jefferson Barracks, Nc. He
enliste at New York. lie tells his wife
THAI he left her because be thought her love
Tor him had diei. She will start for Mis-
sour tomorrow. An effort viii be made
10 secure his release"
\ representative OF the Globe Democrat
was sent % jefferson barracks TO investigate
the circumstance Of this beautiful little
CHRISTMAS tale. IL was found to be true,
that bertrand had jOiued the army, and is
at Jefferson Barracks, aud il is equally true
that Re lived az Spokane, while his presence
In material form gave ocular demonstration
or the fact that he had not been murdered
Bertrand had obtained q l2-hour leave Of
absence at noon yesterday, and came TO st.
Louis. de left the barracks In the dress Of
civilian, fact which went to show two
things; lie did not wish 70 appear on the
streets in nus ordinary uniform, and. sec
ondly, that be was possessed of a holiday
sult, luxury which the ordinary recruit
does not enjoy. From these circumstances
one might have judged that he had received
check from his anxious aud loving wife.
ana bad gone TO spend the day in the man
ner becoming a merchant prince But
against this theory was the fact that he had
partaken Of the ordinary barracks dinner.
which. though having roast turkey, mashed
potatoes and seasonable sauce throxn in.
does not make a tempting fare for a man of
arlstocratic taste on Christmas day.
Jefferson barracks on a Christmas day.
even with the additional comfort of hearing
snatches of such patriotic airs as LET me
Ike soldier fall, ETC.. is a gloomy place.
The barracks looked desolate yesterday, and
certainly mus have presented a dismal
appearance to any young man who had
thrown up 800 900, pleasant home. and
newly-made bride. The old, shattered red
brick buildings, tie little bits Of cottage
Ike dwellings, with huge barn-like doors,
In which whole company find themselves,
ana The great bleak square through which
the wind from the Mississippi whistled with
all its might ruthlessly shock the strangers
preconceived notions OF st. Louis fashion,
able retreat
One more fact to speculate upon in COM
nectlon with the 500, coo story was this: A
wealthy man having received check from
his wife, would spend the whole day in ST.
Louis and would visit the theater at night
IN the fullness of the Joy which must result
from reconciliation with devoted and l. v
ing wife and the restoration of 800, COZ. But
Bertrand did not stay to visit the theater.
lie returned for his Christmas supper,
which consisted OF picked pigs feet and
coffee. The coffee is usual, the picked pigs
feet unusual; they are given only to COM
memorate the day.
And now for Bertrand's story He be-
longs to Company B, and in the quarters of
Company B he was found
SIS Corpl Bertrand here?" shouted a
dozen military voices, as the reporter in
quired for the soldier 1t was evident those
who raised their voices knew the corporal
was present. but hitherto they had called
MIN simply BILLY" Bertrand, but, in accord
ance with military dignity, predxed the
title when speaking in his presence
Pm the gentleman" said Corpl Bert
rand, and he extended hand Of welcome
TO the reporter. The corporal is a man OF
good physique, polite manners, and gentle
manly bearing. His is straight and erect.
thorough soldier. His eyes are bright, his
forehead broad and intellectual. Altogether
CorpL bertrand strikes one as possessing all
the qualifications that go TO make a thor
ough man. The telegram TO which refer
ence has been made was produced. The
corporal read and look aghast.
''One hundred thousand dollarsm he
stammered, and he looked about him Ia
silence; but his look meant as clearly as any,
thing could: IF | had 300, 600 do you
think would be here ON Christmas niaht
currying horses and eating picked pigs
feet for supper! There is nothing In that
story" he continued. II did leave Spokane
without letting my wife know. | went to
New York and then to Newark, N. J..
where / met an old soldier and enlisted.
The moment 1 had decided what to do |
wrote my wife" AS the corporal said all
this he did not look like man pining away
with the grief of a suspicion that he had
lost wife's love. Neither did he show the
exuberance Of spirits which might be
expected i'll man about to be restored to his
home and TO the possession of a 100000
business.
Il left" he went on, "for reasons into
which do not care to go at present."
Had they anything to do with your wife
or her love or yours"
Nothing wnateverF
"Do you possess any propertyw
81 had biz of real estate, worth about
81, 900, and this decided to my wife. | was
employed by my brother in his grocery
store"
What induced you to become a soldier
and how have you risen so rapidly as to be
u corporal in two monthsp
Here the corporal laughed without cor
troll. "You see," ne answered, az am an
old soldier. | served five years before | was
married, and got my discharge. When
wanted money again the army was the first
thing that opened to me- and l again en-
tered. | am corporal because of my pre-
vious servicen
Is your wife coming to MissouriY'
mo; If get cut shall go back to her."
Can you get outW
II think SO.
These were the last words Of the corporal
who is not possessed OF 100000, and did
not join the army because Of the fading Of
the love Of his wife.