Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-09-09

'HY -
1t was Thanksgiving day, 1894, at
Fort Wingate. A dull sky hung low
over the plains and an occasional gust
OF wind from the southwest caused the
sentries to cast quick look at the
heavens for signs of the threatened
storm. Only those on guard details
were doing duty. 1t was holiday at
the post and the soldiers sat around
the tables In their company quarters
and told stories of Thanksgiving days
OF the past when the feast was cele-
brated under the home rooftree, thou
sands OF miles from the burning mesa.
In the officers quarters prepa rations
were going forward for the Thanksgiv-
ing hop which was to take place in the
evening after the dinner had been dis
cussed by the post commandant and
his officers. Social events at Wingate
were as few and far between as at any
isolated frontier post, and the hop had
been The subject Of much discussion
for weeks. The ladies had ball gowns
sent Oh from the East to lend warmth
OF color to the occasion. The band
master had rehearsed an orchestra cho-
sen from the band in a program Of
dance music. The great hall of the post
had been decorated with green boughs,
trailing vines and sprays Of evergreen.
The floor was waxed to perfection by
the quartermaster. Nothing was lack
ing to make the post hop a brilliant
event.
Adjutant's call for parade was
sounded half an hour earlier than us
ual that evening that time might be
afforded the officers to dress for the
hop. and the ceremony of parade was
cut short a trifie by Colonel Hunt, the
gallant commander Of the Seventh cav
airy. An hour after the troops were
dismissed to quarters the officers be-
gan assembling near headquarters in
dress uniform. drawing on white gloves
or smoothing the wrinkles in those in
dispensable adjuncts to an officers at
tire. They were impatient for the first
strain Of the music which should an
nounce that the grand march was to
begin. Those lucky enough to escort
ladies 10 the affair strolled along Off
GERS row to present themselves to the
ladies and the orchestra hurried to the
hal and was posted in balcony.
Slowly the officers and their ladies be-
gan 10 arrive in the hall. Colonel Hunt
strolled in with the wife of one of his
captains hanging upon his arm and
her husband following close behind
with the daughter Of a major. The
Hello and staff officers followed with
other ladies. the luckless bachelors,
who came alone, trooped in. pulling
their moustaches, and bowling right and
left to those seated about the hall.
Colonel Hunt gave signal to the band
master. the baton fell and the Thanks
giving hop was on.
Reminds me Of old West Point
days" whispered Lieutenant Brainard
70 Colonel Hunt when the two met az
ter the first dance. by George, it
makes me feel Like yearling, the mu-
sic and the waxed floor and the pretty
girls and all that"
Not much like arctic hunts for the
north pole, eh, Brainard?' responded
the colonel, and the lieutenant who
Went with Greeley to the "farthest
north shivered a bit as he smiled back
reply. The next moment he claimed
the hand of promised partner for
quadrille and walked with stately
tread to his place in the figure. Though
the night was cool the dancers were
heated. and the windows were raised
that the south wind might blow across
The ballroom. The music floated out in
rol"king strnins to where a sentry
stood in the shadow leaning upon his
saber, his thoughts far away in the
town hall of little place in Illinois
Where he once capered through quad
lille with the prettiest girl in the State.
Where he was as welcome as was Col
onel Hunt at the Wingate hop. The
step Of the corporal Of the guard awoke
MIN to duty, and New Mexico and the
present, and he slowly sauntered along
=, his post.
3 The quadrille ended as gayly as did
every quadrille that was ever played,
and the laughing women were escort
ed to seats by the officers who begged
Tor more dances. The cotillOn was
next on the program and Colonel Hunt
was to lead. With the pretty wife Of
Lieutenant Fuller upon his arm the
oinnMndant stepped out upon the floor
and the dancers followed. The music
sounded merrily across the ballroom
and the dance began. But the first f1g-
ure was not ended when more music
stole upon that same south breeze and
was waited through the open windows.
the mellow notes Of trumpet and it
was sounding the officers call. Off,
GERS call In the midst of the Thanks
giving hop! Oficers' call when the
Whole post was On holidayl It was
IKE tie sudden clangor of fire bell
curing q wedding supper.
Few Of the women heard. Every ~