Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-09-15
TWO OF THEM.

Early in the winter of 1863 1 was
 ordered to report at Benton barracks,
 St. Louis, to assist ill organizing new
 regiments.
 It looked like snow when left Phila-
 delphia, and it did snow worse and
 worse as we speedcd farther west. By
 the time we reached Terre Haute. Ind,
 things looked very blue for getting on.
 Anxious not to lose chance to reach my station, ''held the fort" ill the cars,
 the conductor assuring me that the en- l zine and mail car would go ahead any,
 how, and that I could be thus put
 through"
 l l was awakened by the brakeman, who informed me that the conductor had gone to the hotel, leaving him to wake
 me and say that there was no hope for anything on wheels going out that night My disappointment rendered me angry
 and unreasonable. l rose up in my
 wrath and mathematical the road and all connected with it, high and low. As
 he advised me 10 stay ill the cars, de | termined not 10 do so.
 I l had been for some eight months at my home. recovering from an ugly wound Tn the face received in our first | advance against Richmond This was not entirely healed, and my head was | ''ln bag "a large covering inclosinC my face and head. leaving only the left | eye and mouth viSible-and this, while | It appealed to the patriotic, made me a queer looking figure.
 In the baggage car, chained to my trunk, was Mac, my dog large English greyhound, pet l had brought from home through a feeling of sentiment. Once determined to sally forth, went to the baggage car, united Mac, opened my trunk. exchanged my dress overcoat for one of rough blue, drew on long boots outside my trousers, and strapped | on belt with two six shooters in hol- sters. Receiving information as to the direction of the hotel from the brake man and calling Mac, We plunged into | the storm. On and on and on We blum dered and stumbled, the poor dog keep | Ing close to me and whining piteuuSlv. Suddenly l heard a noise, and forcing my way against the wind and snow to- ward 1t came bang up" against the side of a house. Under this partial protec- ton l looked along and was cheered bv the sight of a gleam of light which came from an open window. quickly found 1 the door of the house. and with Mac en- tered the dinEy harroom of a third rate lager beer saloon. It was about Ii o'clock at night. The proprietor was a rough. surly German. He stared with aStonlshment as We burst in upon him.
 Can l stay here tonight" "Naw!'
 Why moi? Look here, old man, | look pretty rough, but I've got money to pay for everything I want or order" and l showed him large roll of green backs. If you cant give me a bed, make up your fire here sn 1t will keer all night, and I'll pay you well to let me sleep on chairs in this harroom." "Nell,' he replied. with hesitation. "I haf von room eot, unt int two bed k. bud der is von man dare already" T don't care # there's an elephant in the one bed, so l get the other" said l. Let's have it right of"
 Der dog he will here shtav. eh:"
 N s;r~ze That loE rors whe-= do. I'll pay for him like any other Chris tian. Put il in the bill
 With grunt and shrug the heavy old fellow lighted about half an inch uf tallow candle and telling me. Come on. -SA AiAS "sif N'AtA NA st sue LOOT and up dirty, rickety stairs To what might be called the front attic" As we passed door on the second floor d wom- ans voice called 10 the man. suppose she asked him what he was doing. as he answered that he was only going to show dis feller 10 bet"
 The room ill which he placed me was mean ln every way-one strip of rag carpet i'll the middle. a poor bed under each slope of the roof. He placed the candlestick on rude shelf, and with a grunt took his departure.
 looked around-and did not like the appearance of things. l saw lot of rough clothing piled on q broken chair by one bedside. 1 took the candle and went quietly over to survey my room mate. was not prepossessed i'll his fla vor. He was sallow looking chap. with big black beard and tangled hair. The outlines of his figure, curled up un- der the blankets. seemed 10 indicate that he was about : feet high. and I could lee that be Was feigning sleep and watching me.
 l determined to bluff it through" if possible. Placing the candle again on the shelf, unbuttoued the overcoat and drew forth my big ''navies;" putting them on half cock, Itwirled the cylinder around and looked carefully into each chamber; then with a sigh of relief, and as if to say, That's good for six shots anyhow" laid them on the bed was to occupy. Then Ipulled the old slouch hat as far over my ears as possible, turned down the blankets, and with boots, Overcoat and hat on, turned into the bed.
 The pistols placed one on each side of me; the knife l laid under my back