Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1893-11-16
THE DISINHERITED.

city OF New Ork, Ill the early days or lSUl,
stood Il gentleman whose are was probably
60. for his hair was snowy white, and his
brow wore all abundance of times burrows
In the shape of wrinkles. His eyes were
of cold, passionless, calculating gray.
Ills features Indicated firmness, even to
obstinacy. Mr. Wilkinson Weston was not
alone In the apartment. A young man
not much beyond 81 stood before him. A
similarity Of features told that they were
related. The youth. however, lad clear
blue eyes and less Of that firm mark If de-
termination in his expression. And-pity
TO say it-therc was in that young mans
face plain evidence that he was leading
what is termed u fast life.
"So-more money il wanted Henry"
said the old man sternly.
Eyes, father" replied the young man.
II have my tailors bill to pay-he has
dunned me twicep'
LAST week gave you a check for $500,
why did you not pay it them"
II intended to, but I met Ned Gaylord
and lie wanted me to 80 to BOSTON with
him. went with him. and hero am back
without sumarkee in my poclsetr'
10y, do you know how much money
you have spent this year?'
mot precisely, sir. but probably not tbs
hundredth part Of the interest coming il
from your invested fortune, Of which you
say I'M the sole heir" replied the youn /;
man coolly, tapping his small boot with
bis cane careicssly.
"Dare 10 speak of it again. sir. and will
disinherit your
"You refuse me funds when need them
II think can raise themi Disnherit me
If you like If you will no. give me your
money and influence to get q commission,
| will enlist az u private. pay my debta
with my advances and bounties and try
to win one-for tell you. sir, there's fight
in me!'
leave tho room, sir-leavc the room
not another dollar Of my money shall you
ever touchi'' shouted tho retired merchant
very we'll sir-goodby. Let me advise
you to marry again, and you may have q
more dutiful heirl' said the young man
bitterly as he turned upon his heel and left
the room.
An hour later and that young man was
a member of the First New York Mounted
rifles, then recruiting in the city-his fash
tonable clothes exchanged for the jacket
and trousers Of blue Of soldier.
Twill not follow Henry Weston through
three or four months of service and hard
drilling. He was noticed by his officers to
be smart and talented, but he never lost an
opportunity to use that which steals away
mems brains and weakens tho most power
ful--the stimuant that lifts up but to
throw down. That single failing kept him
from promotion to noncommissioned
rank. But over this time will pass to
hasten to the closing scene.
On as bright Il day as ever shone in Vir.
ginia the regiment, sent to reconnoiter, OBJ
served strong picket force of the enemy
intrenched in rifle pit at Zuni, where tho
Norfolk and Petersburg railroad crosses
the Blackwater river. As the Confederates
had been shooting pickets in the night il
was deemed best to pay off old scores on
this occasion. The troop to which Weston
belonged was dismounted and ordered to
advance as skirmishers. With wild, glad
cheers the brave boys dashed on, headed by
their gallant captain, amid u hail of mimic
balls. They did not pause for the fire, but
on, on they dashed, firing as they ran, un.
til the Confederates began to waver and
slacken their fire. AT this moment the
colonel galloped down with the howitzers,
and few shots from them cleared the rifle
pits, and all who were not slain fled, cast.
ing down their arms us they went.
But there was loss on the Federal side.
More than one brave man had limped back
to the surgeons ambulance aided by biz,
comrades. and when the group was looked
over there lay one ON tho very bank of the
river in front of the enemy's works who
could rise no more. His discharged carbine
lay by his side. The hilt of his half drawn
saber was cutched in his hand. Two
wounds-one in the head sand the other
through his lungs-wcro pouring out his
lifeblood in purple current.
my father!' he gasped. Tell my father
died like brave man and send my body
to him. lie will not cast that off,"
1t was poor Henry Weston. Though NOR.
tally wounded, he lived long enough to bs
carried back to camp. And he did not die
before his father, by telegraph. was In
formed Of his situation and sent in reply
that he would start instantly for his son s
bedside.
'lIe will never see me alive, but he will
love me when am deadl' said the brave
boy when informed Of this.
And SO it was. Henry Weston had been
dead some 90 hours when his father ar.
rived. The scene which ensued "a that old
man bent over the body Of his boy can bet
ter DO imagined than described. He up.
braided himself for bis unkindness and
said that he would gladly give all his wealth
tohave his son restored to life. He had the
body cmbalmed and took 1t buck to New
York with him. and the mortal remains OF
Henry Weston rest ut Greenwood Ex.
ehpnun