The Press., 1893-10-26
TWO OF THEM.

Early in the winter of 1868 l was ordered to report at Benton barracks, St. Louis, to assist in organizing new regiments.
 It looked like snow when l left Phila- delphia, and it did snow worse and worse as we speeded farther west. By the time we reached Terre Haute, Ind. things looked very blue for getting on.
 Anxious not to loso chance to reach my station, "held the fort" in the cars, the conductor assuring me that the en- zine and mail car would go ahead any, how, and that I could be thus "put through"
 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 to stay in the cars, de- termined not to do so.
 had been for some eight months at my home, recovering from an ugly wound ill the face received in our first advance against Richmond. This was not entirely healed. anl my head was ''in a bag''-a lSge covering inclosing 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. .-,
 Tr ho ho nor oboi <o rXo,, trunk, was Mac, my dog, a large English greyhound, pet I 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 a 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 piteously.
 Suddenly heard noise, and forcing my way against the wind and snow to- ward it came "bang up'' against the side of house. Under this partial protec- tion looked along and was cheered by the sight of a gleam of light which came from an open window. quickly found the door of the house, and with Mac en- tered the dingy barroom of third rate lager beer saloon. It was about ii o'clock at night. The proprietor was a rough, surly German. He stared with astonishment as we burst in upon him.
 "Can stay here tonight?'
 "Nawr .,.
 "Why not? Look here, old man, look pretty rough, but Eve got money to pay for everything I want or order," and showed him large roll of green backs. "If you can't give me bed, make up your fire here so it will keep all night, and I'll pay you well to let me sleep on chairs in this barroom."
 "Vell," he replied, with hesitation, "I haf von room got, mt int two bed is, bud.der is von man dare already"
 ''I don't care if there's -an elephant in the one bed, so get the other" said I. 'sLet's have it right off"
 "Der dog he will here shtay, eh?'
 ''No, sir-ee. That dog goes where I do. I'll pay for him like any other Chris tian. Put it in the bill."
 With 9 grunt and a shrug the heavy old fellow lighted about half an inch of tallow candle, and telling me, Come on, then," led the way out of side door and up dirty, rickety stairs to what might be called the front attic" As we passed door on the second floor wom- ans voice called to the man. 1 suppose she asked him what he was doing, as he answered that he was only going to show "dis feller to bet"
 The room in which he placed me was mean in every eway-one strip of rag carpet in the middle, 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. I saw lot of rough clothing piled on broken chair by one bedside. took the candle and went quietly over to survey my room mate. 1 was not prepossessed ill his fa- yor. He was a sallow looking chap. with big black beard and tangled hair. The outlines of his figure, curled up un- der the blankets, seemed to indicate that he was about feet high, and I could see that he was feigning sleep and watching me. ......
 determined to bluff it through" if possible. Placing the candle again on the shelf, 1 unbuttoned the overcoat and drew forth my big ''navies;" putting them on half cock, twirled the cylinder around and looked carefully into each chamber; then with sigh of relief, and as if to say, That's good for six shots anyhow" laid them on the bed I was to occupy. Then pulled 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. wakened Mac, who, totally exhaust ed, was asleep on the floor, made him jump in and lie down close to me, and then pulled the blankets over us both. quickly dropped into a half sleep. A from the other creaky bed awakened me. I opened my eyes, and by the dull snow light which struggled through the single window could see the outlines of the man in the other bed, and he was sitting up.
 In an instant was on the alert, but made no movement. He leaned forward and seemed to listen. Then he dropped down again. In about five minutes he once more raised himself and for time was motionless. Then one leg was put outside the cover; then the other, and he stood erect. With the utmost caution he invested his long legs in their proper garments, and then gathering up his oth- er clothing and boots in his arms he stole quietly as a robber out of the room.
 heard him descend the stairs and knock lightly on the door of the land- lords chamber. Several times he knocked. They, fhn 6OnY.c i