Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1893-10-03
TWO OF THEM.

Early in the winter of 1868 was
ordered to report at Benton barracks,
st. Louis, to assist in organizing new
regiments.
1t looked like snow when 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 lose chance to reach
my station. "held the fort" in the cars,
the conductor assuring me that the en-
gine and mail car would go ahead any
how, and that 1 could be thus 'sput
through"
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. 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, 1 de-
termined not to do SO.
had been for some eight months at
my home, recovering from an ugly
advance against Richmond. This was
not entirely healed, and my head was
sin bag''-a large covering inclosinG
my face and head, leaving only the left
eye and mouth Yisible-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, a-large English
greyhound, q pet had brought from
home through feeling OF sentiment.
Once determined to sally forth, 1 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 n 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-
ton looked along and was cheered by
the sight of gleam of light which came
from an open window. IquicI1ly found
the door of the house, and with Mac en-
tered the dingy barroom of a third rate
lager beer saloon. 1t was about IL
o'clock at night. Tho proprietor was a
rough, surly German. He stared with
astonishment as we burst in upon him.
"Can 1 stay here tonight!''
'Naww
"Why rot2 Look here, old man, 1
look pretty rough, but I've got money
to pay for everything want or order -
and showed him q large roll of green
backs. "If you can't give me a 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 Won room got, unit int two bed is,
bud der is Won man dare already"
81 don't care if there's an elephant in
the one bed, so I get the other" said 1.
'tLet's have it right off.
Der dog he will here shtay, eh?''
mo, stree. That dog goes where I
do. I'll pay for him like any other Chris
tian. Put it in the bill"
With a grunt and 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. suppose
she asked him what lie was doing, as he
answered that he was only going to
show "dis feller to bet
The room in which he placed me was
in % 49,.
carpet in the middle, poor bed under
candlestick on rude shelf, and with a
grunt took his departure.
looked around-and did not like the
appearance of things. saw lot of
rough clothing piled on a broken chair
by one bedside. took the candle and
went quietly over to survey my room
mate. was not prepossessed in his IA
vor. He was sallow looking chap.
with big black beard and tangled hair.
The outlines of his figure, curIed up un.
der the blankets, seemed to indicate that
he was about Z feet high, and 1 could
see that ne was feigning sleep and
watching me.
determined to ''bluf Ia through" F" if
possible. Placing the candle again on
the shelf, l unbuttoned the overcoat and
drew forth my big .'naries;'' putting
them on half cock, 1 Itwirled the cylinder
around and looked carefully into each
chamber; then with sigh of relief, and
Gs If to say, That's good for six shots
anyhow" laid them on the bed 1 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 I laid under my back