The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-06-24
SOME ODD STORIES.

A Story of Life In Northern Idaho-Louis
Norton and the Last Shot-The SoldserIy
Man In the Governments Insane Asylnsn.
tCopyright 1898. by American Presa Assopia-
toni
Louis Norton was one Of themost popu-
lar men in his class at West Point, and
after he entered the service he continued to
make friends, though he was not wanting,
as we shall see, in that resolution and force
of character that are the opposite Of yield
ing humility.
When Louis Norton became captain, he
was placed in command of an out of the
way post amid the bleak and verdureless
hills of northern Idaho short time before
the revolt of the Shoshones and Nez Perces.
Among the letters of congratulation that
reached Norton on his retaining his cap
taincy was one from Lucy Carroll of Mary
land, the beautiful girl whom he had
known as child and to whom he had been
engaged since she was schoolgirl.
THAT you are far from civilization, and
alone out in that wild, lonesome land, )" she
wrote, sis to me a stronger reason why
should be with you"
And SO the captain, who had not had
leave for years, was permitted to come back
to the east for three months
He and Lucy Carroll were married, and
the event created quite stir in the fash
ionable world, for the bride and groom be-
longed to excellent old families. The pres
ident gave them dinner at the White
House, and every man of the service con-
tributed to the wedding gifts
Mr.. Norton, the captains father, was one
Of the richest men in Delaware his home
being at Wilmington. He wanted his son
to resign and go into business with him,
saying:
"That wild western life was all very well,
Louis, when you were single man, but /
don't think it is just the thing to take Lucy
out to that wretched fort where you are sta
toned"
ST have thought of that, replied the cap
tain, land have talked it over with Lucy
find she wants to see the west and some
thing Of our rough life. It will be only for
year or two. father; then we'll come
back"
And so Captain Norton and his beautiful
young wife went out to the gloomy fort
set down among the bleak peaks Of Idaho.
Up to the coming Of the captains wife
the awful gloom of the place had most
| depressing effect on the men. They became
reticent and Respondent, and bugler-a
| German-c suicide.
But the presence of the beautiful girl
changed things like magic. The soldiers
became more careful Of their personal APP
pearance. and again the laugh and CHEEKY
shout of the men went echoing through
| the hills.
The captain had been back three months,
during which time he had heard by mail
from the outside world Just three times.
The last mail had been delivered only a
week when the captains orderly an
nounced the approach Of courier on horse
back who seemed to have a mail bag.
| The courier was from General Howard,
| then in command Of the northwest depart
ment. He brought the news Of the uprising
of the Indians and an order to Captain
Norton to send on all the men he could
speedily as possible.
'sYour position" theorder read, sis iso-
lated. but it appears to be away from the
points where the Shoshones are gathering
and SO is in no danger. However, you are
| on the ground, and if you think there Is a
possibility Of attack retain enough men for
Defense"
With characteristic promptness the cap
tain sent so Of his 105 men to General How
ard. Then he set about drawing in his
lines and placing the few blockhouses in
which were the quartermaster's supplies in
state Of defense. He had too much faith
in the character and courage Of his wife to
keep her ignorant OF the situation.
She heard him without changing color,
kissed him when he had concluded and
| said:
Louis, am glad to be here to share the
danger with you"
How could she know that he would have
given his right arm to have had her back in
Marylands
Captain Norton knew the Shoshones better
than did General Howard, and for this rea-
son he was quite sure that it was the iso-
lated points that they would be sure to at
tack and not the places where reinforce
ments could be had and stout resistance
| made
1t was the third night after the receipt of
the order, and the captain, who had not
been to bed since, was about to lie down
for little rest, when the crack of picket's
rifle changed his purpose.
i Dressing hurriedly, he told his wife not
to be alarmed, then was about to run out
when the firing became general, the ring OF
Indian pony hoofs was heard on the parade
ground, and the fierce yells of the swarm
ing savages filed the air.
| Against the door Of his quarters the bull
lets beat like hail The Indians were about
| the house.
! The captain extinguished the candle. and
by the firing in the direction of the hills he
reasoned, and rightly, too, that the men had
deserted from the blockhouse near by, leav-
ing him alone.
/ He had plenty Of arms, and SO he kept the
savages from entering by the window OF
door till daylight.
A glance out showed him that there were
at least 800 Indians in warpaint about the
place. ,
He did not fear for himself now. His every
thought was for his beautiful young wife
whose calmness at this trying moment was
almost angelic.
Il he e1xr, fxr~ L