The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-10-19
ONLY A PRIVATE.

.r,es in which had hastily been
] drown up a rude breastwork of sand
/ or1 stone; cloud Of savages sur
rounding the earthwork. in which
vas the great overland stage-it
w,s n scene calculated to excite fear
and sympathy. There were women
in that beleaguered fort as we'll as
mel, and their pale faces, parched
] lius and dry. fearless eyes evinced
the stony terror caused by the pros
uect Of certain death.
A dozen troopers under the COM
mand Of Lieutenant Marks had been
sent to guard the stagecoach. When
thew found themselves confronted
by such overwhelming odds. they
fastened to the grove we have men,
toned and hastily threw up the
earthwork behind which the sol
diers and passengers were defend
ing themselves. The face of Lieu
tenant Marks was almost as pale as
marble, and he had long since ceased
10 give orders, for it was now q
pitched battle, in which every man
was his own commander.
Two soldiers and three passengers
we're already down. Many redskins
had bitten the dust, but the over
whelming numbers Of savages about
the earthworks made it evident that
the brave defenders were doomed.
Prominent among the troopers
was tall, young man in the uni
form of private soldier. There was
q look of calm determination on his
face, and whatever others may have
done he wasted no shots that day.
Every time his rifle cracked red
skin fell. Though he exposed him
self more to IEdian bullets than any
Of the others, he seemed to hold a
charmed life, for not shot touched
him
This private was only "a years Of
age, with a handsome face, dark
eyes and black mustache. His name
was George Stone, and it was whis-
pered that he was a graduate OF
Princeton. How he came to be q
private soldier in the regular army
is story Of sufficient interest to
tell even in the midst Of battle,
especially as it had some bearing
on the conflict. He and Lieutenant
David Marks had been schoolboys
together, and both were competitors
for the appointment at West Point.
Marks, though inferior to Stone in
every respect, having the strongest
political pull, succeeded, and George
vent to Princeton.
+ George graduated ahnnt the Same
time that his successful rival came
from West Point with a commission
&c second lieutenant of;Gavalry. He
happened to be near tho town in
which the regiment OF his rival
was quartered. This; renewed the
jealousy of her companion. Then
miss Mary Sommers came to
the city. She was going to her
slstsr in Montana the coming sum-
mar, and as Marks regiment had
S71u ordered to chat part OF ms
country he hoped to meet her
again, especially as he had fallen
deSperately in love with her. For
inc second time his rival was his
isehoolboy friend George Stone,
VINO seemed to be more succossful
than he had been before. Marks had
no political pull in love affairs and
oeaan to look about for some means
70 conquer again.
The plan he fell upon Wss the
most nefarious that can be oon-
celved. One day he and some other
omcers and friends entaced George
INTO a saloon, and during the after
noon induced him 60 drink 60 much
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ducad b;n, ws x.sy.N. NV .sAs a plsscns IN
srmv 10 . - s.as.sss 5 ~ J, s -. -. .
1sned to the company to which