Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-12-13
CHAPTER VI


Lieut.. Vandever was industrious In
acquiring a knowledge of horseman-
ship for call to field duty might be
made at any moment in the then un-
settled state of the Indians. In his dali
ly rides about the post and down
the river he frequently met Miss
Sanford and sometimes rode be-
side her. Her treatment of him was
always polite, yet she maintained to-
ward him an air of modest reserve
which warned him that any resump-
tion Of foppish gallantry would meet
with her disapproval. On several oc-
casions he had passed by when herself
and Private Brown were sitting to-
gether, bending over a sketch or quiet
ly conversing, and 1t shocked him to
see the daughter Of the commander on
terms Of such seeming familiarity with
n man in the ranks In his estimation,
the private soldiers were mere soulless
machines, which moved only at the Of
fetal beck and call, but puppets In cx-
alted hands, and lump of indignant
resentment stuck in his throat at the
thought that the maiden could grant TO
u vulgar private the .sociability she de-
MED him.
On one of his daily rides he overlook
her in the river bottom just as she had
refined in her pony to make the ascent
of the steep hill leading to the fort.
He politely salutcd her by raising his
cap, and she acknowledged the saluta-
tion with bow and pleasant smile.
L.a Rt,l oft
for riding, Miss Sanford, he said.
at has indeed, Mr.. Vundcver.
think the New Mexico climate cannot
be surpassed in loveliness in the whole
world"
"The climate is all right, but the
society Is open TO severe criticism" he
replied. "The native people are but
half civilized and the Americans are
rough Doors, and it does strike me as
being somewhat severe that the ladies
and gentlemen OF the army are com
PEELED TO exist amid such uncongenial
surroundings.
so, you are too hard on the people OF
the territory" she replied. Il have a
number Of valued friends among the
good people of San Marcial the town
just above the fort, both native and
American. and | have always found
them To be congenial, wholc-souled.
courteous ncighbOIs. You will modify
your views of them when you come to
know them. Even were we cast away
"A thousand miles from civilization, I
am sure we could be happy com
munity. We arc little world in our.
selves. Mr. Vandever."
"A rather insignificant world" he re-
piled. "You can almost cnumcrate it's
population on your fingers a dozen
or SO officers, and half as many ladies' 3"
And several hundred soldiers she
added.
80. the soldiers cut no figure in our
world, save as slaves TO do our bidding.
The riiT-rnf OF the land must not be
mentioned in the snme breath with la
dies aud gentlemen. sometimes
think IL debascs u gentleman to be
obliged TO command such fellows"
Her face fushed with anger, and
turning her clear blue eyes full upon
his face she replied in biting words:
Lieut.. Vandcvcr, clothes and rank
do not make the man. Indeed, In my
own experience, have known tho
gaudy uniform of the officer to cover far
less manly instincts and actions than
have noted beneath the plain garb Of
the private soldier"
They had reached the summit OF the
hill, and touching the rein she gal
lopsd 9acerewRigasly' away, leaving