The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-01

their exclamation. l do not deny the as
sertion, as, with the single exception of
the event l am about to narrate, l have
found it to be true. Yet, If only as relief
70 nv mind, / am tempted to lay before you
an unsolved mystery, for the details OF
which 1 can vouch.
1t was during the winter of 1867 that
found myself occupying the post OF SER
eeant in the II division Of the United
States army, and charged with mission
to escort a certain Lieut.. broom from Fort
Stanton to Fort Union. via Fort Sumner,
by a route rendered somewhat dangerous
on account of hostile Indians.
The weather being severe, and the
march arduous, I should have had scant
relish for the job, had it not been that 1
found the said lieutenant pleasant COM
pany and by no means unworthy spec
linen of the distinguished Dutch family
TO which he belonged. Added to this,
was at this period possessed by keen
relish for adventure; and even now some
thing stirs within me when I recall the
old campaigning days, and feel the slug
gish blood leap through my veins as it did
when I was full of health and vigor, and
life lay fair and free before me.
AS l write, see again the vast extent
of untrodden snow, which dazzled the
ewes by its exceeding purity, and feel the
wind blowing in my face, sharp as knife
and cold as polished steel
Our officers had determined to reach Los
Vegos by Christmas day, and not man
among us grumbled, although it involved
a forced march of fifty miles, which
brought US to our destination toward even
ing The double distance was accomplish
ed cheerfully our spirits being kept up by
double allowance of whisky-a mistaken
kindness, according to our tee-total
friends; but it proved in our case to be
sufficiently effectual, and I am afraid
there was not an abstainer among us. For
my own part, 1 must confess that drank
my share without making a wry face,
aud although the spirit did not in any
way intoxicate me, it gave me life and
energy, and caused my laugh to ring out
trAe more frequently and more loudly
than usual. In fact, I recall somewhat
reckless race into Los Vegos which 1 be-
lleVe ended in a tie; at all events, l am
pretty certain that neither broom nor I
knew who was the winner.
My first duty on arriving was to see
the horses safely disposed of In the corral;
my second should have been to put a SOL
der on guard for the night (the inhabi-
tants OF the town being well known as
morse stealers), but the men worked upon
my feelings, already somewhat weakened
by the whisky, and begged to be let off
There was not one among them, as far
as can recall, who had not made up
ms mind to a festive evening" and In yield
ing to their entreaties, I may say In my
defense, that l believed the corral to be
perfectly secure. But having once accord
Cd my consent, and being rewarded by a
storm OF applause, dismissed the matter
tFom my mind and gave myself up to such
ealety as was open to me. I am afraid
the initiated will be somewhat shocked
When l state that, in company with many
DINERS l attended fandango held at
hltchen's hotel, but as 1 am merely chron-
lcpng facts, have no choice but to make
the admission
In order 10 avoid misleading the unini-
uated may as we'll state that a landau
go Is neither more nor less than a dance
heid at public house. for which no paw
Inent Is made, the delicate task OF provid-
ing ms fair partner with such liquid re-
ireshment as her taste may direct devolv-
ing upon the gentleman. My experience
points 10 the conclusion that this should
On an occasions be mixed strong With a
!auuaole desire to give satisfaction, I al
Tays Kept this point steadily in view, and
natter myself that the result was uni
Iormiy successful.
AS looked about me 1 saw many a
cotheIy form and face, and marvelled
e"hat after a fashion of my own as
~ tHer owners history. From time to
ume light laugh stirred the smoke-lad-
an ar, and a pair of dark eyes drooped
with something akin to nodestv beneath
we pold gaze OF an admirlng soldier. More
t ,gu coarse words issued from lips that
snouIa nave been pressed to the cheek of
innocent child and an oath sullied the
onsue mat might have turned itself to
o'us OF Womanly tenderness. My tenn
tUiary excitement had passed off. and 1
I W moralising until a hand was laid
s Spyn my shoulder, and Lieut.. broom
SPOKE TO me In a whisper:
nave you your revolver handy?"
.sies' / answered, promptly.
l., pee whether your men have been equal-
ton" "0' @''Iact opserVa-
uro nodded by way Of assent. and with as
lous manner as / could assume
Inquiry iiaue 'ne uesired
ICON stood at the further end OF the
bsra WIN freshly-iiled glass In his
fror,' put l noticed that he did not drink
"Ttlt ! raised mine to my lips.
the SAM. - "rongF' queried, in much
rross same tone and with the Identical ex-
t.,ss'on Of countenance which I shouId
drinl,, Suined had I been employed Ia
T,,Nlns my companions health.
noon lighted his pipe nonehaIantlv
he a.l you observed the 'Peacemaker?' "
tbe '' t.nn think II requisite to state for
'ps,"l,.ut or the inexperienced that the
i-ori., "la ker' receives his somewhat
fgt,.'. Title In virtue OF settling ans
bv nm, 1lat may occur at these assemhIles
b. a'Dr,n OF heavy club. which. n he
and '.,D,a his salt he Yields with Strength
"a rse..l ms presence. be n observed is
lrr ,,s''yi the guests at a fandanro he
n0-li ','' amenable to physical than 10
mak,r, nag certainly observed the "peaee.
st-lr,.. lie was a noticeable ehsraeter.
como oulit and, although not hand,
anal. 'mewhat picturesque IN annear-
hy we clear brown OF hls akin set on
llo..., tie4 silk handkerchief no wore
tha. 1,d about his throat. bad seen
faa ,,,,. herchief presented 10 him mn
afs.",s' n's since by girl, whose face
~ rs,s heated by the dance ana iteh,ed
tar NJ, o. hold black eyes YET held some rs
.. INV o.t rendered IL superior 10 that
ht .nef woman present
rftb.r worry moment tho two atooa 81.
f,.t.. .lterHing M an underton. MIA