The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-05-22

Tf\ZI { naXen hair, ana had
!: ] & !: :: / \: !; !: !: 8: :
~eE/~ been in ouc camp on
MR. - the Cimarron nearly
nv II ten months, and we all
HFB, knew him by the name
,~V BN. ofDutch Jake. He was
" ~ " not particularly com.
municative as to his antecedents, and
we didn't trouble ourselves much to
inquire into his past history. He was
Industrious and very obliging, and
when he was not busy with the traps
he was ever reading couple of much
worn volumes in German, which he
invariably carried in his saddle-bags
Sometimes NE would become talkative.
but he never spoke Of his native coun-
try beyond few remarks, which gave
us to understand that he had been
soldier, and we MI made up our minds
that he had deserted.
When Jake came among us he knew
scarcely anything about rifle. shooting,
but before he had been on the plains
Elk months there were few better
shots to be found than himself. He
possessed cool, undaunted courage,
and, under the most adverse circum-
stances, never lost hope. If ono was
sick, Jake knew of some simple
remedy that would alleviate his suf-
fering, if not restore him to health,
and when old Pete Swayne was thrown
from his mustang and picked up with
broken arm, Dutch Jake set the
limb and nursed the old man, who al
ways declared that bis arm Was the
stronger of Jake's skill. aSsss'- ..ie'
1t was no wonder, then, that we
were all fond of Jake. There wasn't
E. sG.ctter that would not have stood
by Jake, even had he got on the wrong
side of diflicntt,s-:, But jake ncTer
became ;:cvolTed in troi!s be wa. 100
peacelble, and took matters too philo-
sophically to lose his temper or his
reason. Jake was we'll read; but, as l
said, it was only ut certain times that
Jake would talk much. When the
spirit moved him he'd treat the boys
to II genuine free lecture; but gener-
ally he answered eyes" or ''No," and
would go about his work and never
;v;., ia. tue arguments.
One evening in June, when we were
seated around the f-s. sume OF the
boys got out an old newspaper that
had been given us by some traders,
and began by reading the advertise
ments and ending with tho European
news.
There had been dreadful accident
on the Rhine, at village called Pitt.
tcrsdorf. 1t happened on board one
of the steamers ns she was landing
passengers.
"rhat must be in your country"
said Sam Rivers, addressing Jake.
never saw Jake's face turn pale
before, but 1t became as white us the
face OF tho dead.
al was bort> there" he replied, anI
then his head foil upon his bosom.
Old Pete Swuyna frowrni 1T Rivers,
who was reading the papet, aud the
latter took the hunt, and, lighting his
pipe. tossed the paper into his lup.
After jake had finished reading the
paper his spirits suddenly became
very happy, and he began to sing
some German songs. By and by he
said "Boys, l never told You any.
thing about my life, and, rs none of
asked me, l thought you wouldn't
cure to be bothered by n story thut
might possess no interest for yon.
But that newspaper has awakened old
.ecollections in my heart, for l know
the place there described rs we'll as
know this camp, and, If you'd like it.
I'll tell YOU story about Fntherland. {"
"Go on, Jake" we cried. "We'll
give you strict attention"
Jake coughed, and, giving one Of
his good .natured smiles, spoke as fol-
lows:
II shall never forget how I use to
sit at church with my eyes rivatel on
the face of Maria BlinZler when she
was singing in the choir. / thought
she was good enough for an angel.
She had deep blue eyes and clusters
OF yellow hair, yet the people never
called her perhaps il was
because she was SO pale, and had such
II high, white forehead; but [ lovel
her, aud c,rca little what folks might
say about her beauty. Murin was
arnve; she neither feared misfortune,
danger or death. Had she lived III
the early v ages she wonld certainly
have been heroine or martyr.
Though she had Suffered NAM aitic-
tions ahc bore them Dravely, and gave
way to violent grie: but once, and
that was When her brother who he.
longed to n liavarian corps. fell deaf
IN IL skirmish on the frontier. We
.tidnt suppose VIE were SO near the
war. but 1t came upon It's before we
conid well understand the cause. 1t
was that ugly Italian business. Every
mnn IN Germany had his name in-
=
rhey don't mako mistakes about such
matters. tx not like here. When
they want yon they know where TO
lind yon. and you can't dodge the
conscription.
"We!!, | remember it was sum.
mer afternoon VIXEN Piittcrsdorf was