The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-07-23
A PUT UP JOB.

Harry came on into camp aglow with
excitement and was soon telling us what
bad happened. He admitted he had be-
come smitten with the lady's charms and
was satisfied she was desperately in love
with him.
We all deeply sympathized with him,
and one OF US suggested to him that If he
wished to write to the girl he would con-
trive in some way to deliver the letter and
get reply If possible. Harry jumped at
this at once, and off he went to write the
letter, with which he returned in a couple
of hours. We begged to be allowed to read
it, but no, no, he could not do that. He
wanted the messenger to start at once, SO
impatient was he, but was told great eau
ton had to be exercised and favorable
opportunity present itself, so he had to be
content.
In day or two another letter was writ
ten by Harry and soon as possible deliv-
cred and a reply received. In the course Of
ten days some four or five letters were sent
and replied to. In his last he insisted on a
meeting, if only for few minutes-begged
her to arrange one Immediately. In her
reply the lady said she was willing
eager, in fact-but her father and brothers
were suspicious and watched her very
closely. However, for his sake she would
take great risks. At o'clock that night,
the house and go to certain peach tree
that was in the field back of the house and
for him to meet her there.
To say that Blanton was happy does
not describe it. In the meantime we had
induced a young soldier who was small,
slim and beardless to help u.s. He was
great wag and full of fun and eagerly
went into the scheme. The country was
secured, and a woman's dress and sun
Of nd oil
A short time after dark Blanton was no.
tioed to slip out of camp and move toward
the field. The night was dark, and he
went slowly, though finally reached the
designated tree, and sure enough after
few minutes waiting his beloved came
tripping to the trysting spot. They were
SO glad to meet, and Harry was disposed
to be very loving and affectiOpate, but his
ladylove was coy. The conversation was
carried on in whispers, and they were hav-
ing sweet time when a gun was sudden
" fired near them from the direction of
house, and a mans voice aDgrily ex-
claimed: "Oh, you scoundrelI intend to
kill you''
The pair were terrified, and the girl fell
to sobbing, telling Harry her father would
nearly kill her, and it would be torment
for her to live at home after that. and, oh,
she was so miserablei Blanton broke out
done? He had an idea! And after whis-
pering few words to the girl clinging to
him the pair turned and sped across the
field toward the camp the brother follow
ing as best he could in the dark and swear
| ing loudly what he meant to do when he
caught them. Harry and his girl reached
/ the fence cleared it in a second and hur-
ried on to camp. just before reaching
/ there they ran upon several of US taking a
/ n, hot
| direction. An explanation followed. Harry
asked us to help him and what was best to
be done.
After talking it over hurriedly It was
decided that the only course left was for
Blanton to marry the girl, and at once, to
which the pair agreed. A proper soldier
was hunted up to act as the minister, and
BIanton and the girl, who had been car
ried into tent, were now brought out,
told to join hands and stand in front OF
the minister, and by the dim light of the
campfire the marriage ceremony proceed
| ed. It proceeded so far as to secure Harry
affirmative response, but further, for al
that point shout was heard, and uT
rushed the brother of the girl, shouting
and swearing, hunting for Harry Blanton,
| whom he meant to kill on sight.
The half married couple were hurried
into tent by some Of the boys, while the
brother-in-law, explained matters to him
and tried to pacify him. But nothing
would do. His feelings had been too much
outraged, and have satisfaction he would
He meant to kill Blanton. He consented
| however, after much argument with him
to give Blanton a chance by fighting &
duel with him then and there. BlantoI
was not spelling for fight, but we tolC
him it was better to fight the duel than tt
be shot down like dog without chance
With great reluctance he consented. He
was brought out, placed near the camp
fire and pistol put in his hand. His op
ponent stood opposite him with pisto
ready also.
The word Ready" was called, and ther
"FireP' There were two reports, and the
half brother-in-law fell to the ground, anC
some one told Blanton he was shot through
the breast and was dying. Blanton wa.
Mortified. At his query of what to do hi
was told to leave for the upper country
otherwise he would probably be cour
martialed and shot. The heartbroke1
wife babe him a sorrowful goodby, and h
lit out, horribly bewildered. There, only
in a few hours, he had been hurried
through a marriage a duel and murder
Now, his only and direct way out was t.
cross Johnson's bayou at a bridge about L
miles distant. At this bridge was sta
toned a guard-a fact BIanton was no
aware of-for the purpose of OBTAINING de
serters, spies, etc. About daylight tn,
guards discovered a man approaching
whom they promptly arrested. 1t proved
to be Harry Blanton, and a forlorn look
ing captive they had-tired out, wet ant
half frozen. AS the guard knew nothing
of the affair and as Blanton would give NJ
satisfactory answer concerning his appear
ance he was at once sent with a small de
tail back to the fort, where he was takeI
before the colonel and a report made
Then he realized that his position wa
more serious than ever. He had beeI
caught deserving. He was put in tn
guardhouse, and we, hearing of it, knew
it was time to explain the whole affair t
the colonel, which we did, and after repri