The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1894-01-05
THE DESERTER.

Some years ago was called by telegram
b northwestern Nebraska. The last 200
miles of the journey were oyer a new rail
road. l was the only woman aboard the
train and was compelled to share the one
car with lot of rough men, who swore,
drank and smoked until the air of the car
was suffocating. The conductor regretted
the state of affairs, but declared himself
powerless. You can perhaps imagine the
relief l felt when by the dawn of daylight
saw Long Pine, the railroad terminus.
was forced to pass the greater part of
the night in the one hotel, where drunk
On contractor was making merry for a
large assembly of delighted auditors.
was but too glad to exchange the hotel
parlor for the car, where l did not hope
for anything but repetition of my former
ride.
| was gratified to find the car almost
empty. Some half dozen men were doz-
ing in various parts, and near the front
espied little figure curled up on a seat
/ that looked suspiciously feminine, despite
the jaunty masculine headgear that
adorned the closely clipped brown locks
|
cling alone and unprotected, and ponder
ing upon the subject l sank into much
needed slumber. When l awoke, it was
broad daylight. All were astir, and saw
in the subject of my speculation a charm
ing little girl, possibly 10. She had very
pretty face and dainty air.
Before could put into execution plan
of forming her acquaintance man APP
preached her. He was fine looking spec
linen of the genuine cowboy, though / had
not then learned to recognize so unmis-
takably the members of that fraternity as
have in later years. His broad sombrero
shaded a pair of deep blue eyes, and
heavy reddish brown mustache but partly
hid mouth that betokened steady deter
mination and an unyielding will. He ad-
dressed my pretty girl as an old acquaint-
ance. An earnest conversation passed be-
tween them for. "a few moments, and he
withdrew. She seemed much better pleased
than he, and few moments later she came
to me and began to chat in the most
friendly manner. My curiosity regard
ing the child, as / mentally termed her,
seemed in a fair way to be satisfied, for
she was eager to talk as | to listen, but be-
fore the forenoon passed ceased to regard
her as a child or inexperienced.
"That fellows name" she said to me,
"is Brown. Did you notice that gold ring
on his little finger? That is my engage
ment ring. | sent it back to him. They
said he took on awful when he heard that
was married"
"Marriedp | exclaimed in astonish-
ment.
ayes, was married last Sunday My
husband is soldier Mt the fort"
"But you look so youngr' | said.
"Oh, I'm 49," replied the girl. 81
worked in Sioux City until six weeks ago.
heard they paid so much better wages at
the fort that went up there. | got ac-
quainted with Brown and promised to
marry him, but he had to go out on the
ranch-he's Il cowboy, you know-and |
got acquainted with Saddler. He wanted
me, too-and--I don't know as he's bit
better than Brown; but, you see, he was
right there and Brown wasn't, so | mar
ried him. He don't make as much money
as Brown. He only gets S13 a month from
the army and what he can make running
faro bank. That's good bit, but made
him promise to leave the army if married
him."
"But he can't leave" said l.
"Ohl he'll desert" said my childish in
nocent unblushingly.
"But if they catch him." said /.
"He'd have to finish his term in Leaven-
worth, that's all. But then they won't
find him. AS soon as / get back we're
going TO st. Joe to start saloon. There's
money in that tell you, and I'll risk
their catching him."
"Where are you going now?" ventured
to inquire.
"Tm going after my little girl" she
answered promptly. "I've heen married
before and havea little girl years old"
| did not express my surprise this time,
but doubt if any statement she could
have made thereafter would have surprised
me in the least.
III had a stepmother," she said, "and
she was awful mean to me. One day one
of our boarders, man as old as dad, said
Come, go with me, Lily, and the old
woman shan't whip you any more So
went. We were married and began keep
ing house for ourselves. He was pretty
good to me until the baby came Then he
got mad because | didn't know how to
take care of it, and when it was 3 months
old he took it away from me and took it
to his folks in Sioux City. When found
out where it was, ran away from him
and went there to work. 1 finally found
where my baby was, and saw her three
times, but never could get my hands on
her. She's such pretty little thing.
guess she's got a good home, and they'r
good to her, but she's my baby. Saddler
gave me the money to see the thing
through, and Pm going to have her by
fair means or foul"
| did not and could not wish the young
mother success in her undertaking.
Several times during the day Brown
stopped to chat a moment with his ex-
fancee and once succeeded in drawing
her away for little private conversation.
'He asked me" she said ON resuming
her seat by me, elf was leaving Saddler.
He'll be glad to get me yet. Pm sorry
for him, but Pm not to blame Saddler
was there and he wasn't couldn't mar
ry them BOTH.
Later Brown left the train, and at Free
mont ! saw the last of my pretty little
Lily.
In after years my mind often reverted to
my trip to the frontier, and in connection
with it / thought of the child that | met
on the train and wondered what her after
life had been.
At last accident brought me informa.
ton of her further career.
I