New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-05
BRIAN'S MEDAL.

physical examination. his p1ght eyes anu GU
manner augured well for his inteihgence MS
ability to ride was Immediately evident anu
though his style Of equtation indorsed MS au-
mission that ne had learned IN clrcus ""''''
v., he WAS as initiative as a monkey. and soon
looked a entirely part Of his horse as ala 'ie
other members Of Troop E. Though he confessed
that he had never touched a sabre nor seen d
cavalry rifle until after his enlistment he proved
"a no equally quick In acquiring the various
ar,,,s and alas, in evading baTrack regulations.
Az the end of the winter which succeeded HIS
arrival at Fort Fletcher he had spent more hours
in the guardhouse than any man IN the res'
ment. but invariably for offences against ruies
and limitations. never for either drunkenness vi
brawling. Light Of heart and keen OF "i' ne
had become favorite among his comrades VINO
sheltered him In many a scrape; perpieNr'! "
his "a ptain who was a student Of character, ana
an af1liction 10 the sergeant, who was uirec'!
responsible for the good behavior OF the troop.
When an Indian revolt broke out during tho
next summer Brian's career had ceased 10 W
considered promising. But through the course
~ that campaign his record was traced with
white stones Steady on march. alert on
scout dauntless in a fight he finally achieved
regimental renown by volunteering first 10 pr'ns
water for the wounded under heavy fire.
I-non tho return Of the command to Fort
Fletcher Brians captain suggested him as
candidate for the soldiers much desired medal
Cor gallant conduct" The colonel. however. was
a disciple of routine who detested enthusiasm
and abhorred a mistake as utterly as crime
"A medal for the most unruly member Of your
troop Captain Cameron he exclaimed we
will wait until we whether he can keep out or
the guardhouse. We should seriously endanger
the general influence Of that medal If we gave 1t
70 a trooper whom we may be obliged to court
martial"
IF we withhold the medal. which he probably
knows he has deserved. because we fear that he
may perhaps disgrace it. the influence OF our
doubt NAV be bad for Brian" Cameron remon-
strated.
IT cannot argue my decisions in regimental
affairs" the colonel declared, and the converse
ton ended
Possibly Brian resented the injustice Of his
di.appointment; possibly the monotony Of bar
yrack life stirred his restlessness to greater insub-
ordination, when it had lost its single charm OF
novelty Certainly his misdongs Increased In
number and discredit At the pcst-traders es-
Establishment he was the hero of several scenes or
''horse-play. ill-appreciated by the victims as
70 REQUIRE authoritative Intervention, and his
'Ieaves' to visit Zenith City were so invariably
oyerstayed that their usual conclusion was
twenty-four hours arrest Convinced at last
that such remedy was of no avail, Captain Cam
eron refused to sign another leave" The lecture
which accompanied this refusal received
with suenness which was new fault In this
hitherto CHEEKY scrapegrace, and Cameron con-
cluded the interview more peremptory than was
his wont. Before he had risen on the following
morning the sergeant reported Brian's disap-
pearance His ab4ence had been discovered at
reyeille a hasty search through the post had
revealed no token Of him. and though the SEN
tries had neither seen nor heard him, there was a
long beat of rampant. skirting the edge Of the
bluff where half dozen men less agile than
Brian could have escaped unobserved on moon
less night
A detail under the sergeants command was
sent out TO patrol the surrounding country. and
Cameron rode to Zenith City to secure the as
s1stanoe Of the civil authorities in the town. On
the frontier however, desertion is likely TO sue
ceed IL the fugitive possesses average cleverness
and some ready money. Brian was known TO
have his last pay instalment unspent, and,
though his description was telegraphed to the
various stopping places Of the Yellowstone
steamer which ha started the day Of his
evasion yet there stretched the prairie. limitless-
" beyond the power OF effective watching. No
body expected that he would be found; and when
O week passed without news of him the garrison
talked Of other subjects
Yet Cameron was thinking of Brians brief cor
nection width his troop he rode through the post
gateway one May afternoon. He had liked the
Rayety the alertness, the daredevil courage Of
this fellow who had given much trouble, and
who was now guilty Of such a serious military
offence He blamed himself that he had not made
@ firmer stand for justice in the affair OF the
medal
"Show a man that YOU respect him. and you
teach him to become respectable he mutteTed
regretfully.
He rode slowly for long distance, trying TO
answer the question that has veXed many a SOL
dierly soul as 10 the exact point where neces-
sary Difference TO a superior officer became SUD-
servience TO measures Of which neither his con-
science his judgment could approve.
Then his horses Impotence forced his atten-
ton He looked around him. and behed all the
fairness Of the spring, all the freedom of the
prairie.
Right. Car" he cried. Lost opportunities
were never redeemed by present neglect. We
will have galop."
They had It,
Cameron drew rein at last upon the slope OF a
, Houlee through which little noisy stream found
its way 10 the Yellowstone River. A pretty vista
of shade and greenery bordered it's course.
I'VE will explore, Czar"' he exclaimed.
They followed the stream until the young trees
grew lower and closer and Cameron weary OF
dcdg1ng the branches decided to get back 10 the
level OF the prairie. He turned Gar 10 the shelly
ing bank whose steepness was quite within the
horses capability. But the soil had been rem
dered treacherous by the recent foods Near the
top there was a sudden crumbling away. Czal
plunged, fell partly upon his rider. and, scram
.l.1l ole Mo lAa
Cameron had been flung heavily. and for @
co,ple of moments was too dazed to realize wha
had happened 10 him. But as his senses cleared
tn, ha a hrOk