St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1898-12-24
THE DESERTER WENT
DOWN THE RIVER.
THE starry emblem of freedom float
II ;p, fr,,n a tall flauSfaff nm the ma. t.
STORY OF MILITARY DISCIPLINE.


THE starry emblem of freedom float
ing from a tall flagstaff on the pa
rade ground at Fort Buford,
swayed gracefully in the afternoon
breeze. The small expanse of turf that
sIoped down to the s6ift-rolling Mis-
souri, was dotted with trim buildings,
which seemingly won martial appear
ance from their occupants. chill
was noticeable in the air, though June
reigned and countless mosquitoes
reigned also, lowering in dense swarms
over the willows near the rivers edge
mosquitoes whose spiteful sting was
altogether out of proportion to their
size. Even the stoical Indians from
the Gros Ventres village, two miles
north, just over the boundary line in
Montana, were visibly affected by
those ubiquitous pests. and waved
eagles wings before their imperturb-
able, grave faces as they stood upon
the banks, while cargo of military
supplies was being unloaded from a
down river" boat.
Hither and thither, across the parade
ground, figures iE blue were moving
slowly-soldiers with the dull, apa-
thetic countenances eharacterizing SO
many troops upon the western from
tier. But to-day there was Frightening
of faces, a quickening of steps, for the
.'down-river" had brought letters from
the states and home.
An unusually generous mail, too.
Several men laughed when they saw
Zack Brayton with deeper bronze on
his cheeks and a letter in his, hand.
He had never been known 10 receive
one since the coming Of the company
TO Fort Buford He was tall, awk-
ward fellow, one of those shambling
men who suggest some mistake on the
mart of nature i'm choosing material too
hastily. He stood now just opposite
the gymnasium. the letter iuttering in
his grasp, the torn envelope crushed in
one strong hand. He had read it'over
twice, and was beginning at the first
page again, mumbling it indistinctly:
You and me amt been as much to
each other as husband and wife oughter
be. If we had. you wouldn't never have
yoneaway. rvekept silence long time.
waiting for you to say you cared, but you
don't say that yet; and now it's my
cough and the strange feelings all over
me that make me write. The doctor
says it won't be long-and there's little
Jim and the baby"
He stopped suddenly and crumpled
the pitiful scrawl in his brawny fist
and pushed the back of his hand across
his deep-set eyes.
Il don't know rightly what Ill dc"
he began, desperately; and then he
Strengthened up. as a comrade ap-
preached. laughing.
Lots of news, Zack?' he queried in
teasing way.
Ten minutes later Zack Brayton
stood more awkwardly than ever, be,
fore the highest authority in the fort.
That officer had received pleasant news
from home, and he unbent his military
dignity to surprising degree, and was
chatting merrily with several subor-
dinates.
well. my man." was his remark,
when lacks presence was noticed.
The private saluted awkwardly. He
began to speak in low. hesitating
voice.
"Beggin' your pardon, colonel, but
I've got 4 word Id like to say-ieast-
wise, if"
Talk to your captain" interrupted
the officer, recalling his dignity now.
He was tired of hearing complaints. and
there had been too many of late.
Not as I'd oughter bother you. sir;
hut the fact is"
well, speak out. What is it?" said
the officer, with some show of impa-
ience. -
MY wife," he began, huskily, ''she
is sick, and lowed maybe you had a
wife, colonel, an you'd know how"
Where is sheo"
Back in Missoury."
And you want a furlough? It's i'm
possible, sir. If we needed half the re-
quests we shouldn't have soldier left
On the post. Don't You see, my good
fellow?"
Yes, SIR replied Zack, simply.
When he was clear of the quarters he
leaned against post as if needing sup
port Of some sort. Yet Zack was a
strong man, certainly.
In this high latitude the sun cheats
you out of the evening hours, and sets
at nearly ten o'clock. A detachment
of troops were assisting the steamboat
roustabouts in unloading military sup
plies. At Gark fiambeaux were fiarinp
from the boats guards, by the light Of
which they completed their labors.
Then the bluecoats marched back to
the barracks, preceded by a train of
government wagons.
4 few roustabouts, huddled upon the
boiler deck, were grumbling unitedly
about some trifle, as Missouri river
ronstabouts have habit of doing. The
night became very dark at last-so dark
that even had one been looking in that
direction he would not have noticed a
man who crept out OF the willow boz.
and, stepping cautiously into IN Indian
'sbull-boat" at the wharf, drifted on
with the swift current under ceves Of
friendly shadows.
In few moments. at best, the.nan's