Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-02
BOB-TAILED ROMANCE.

From the Chicago Tribune.

| The presence of young cavalry officer
| in Chicago last week and his subsequent
| evolutions in the salons OF the city have
| furnished the denouement of ''bob-tailed"
! romance Of the Spanish war.
The young man, who begged the reporter
to refer to him merely Jackson. regis
tered at a downtown hotel and then struck
into a doub,e-quick for the clubs of his
friends. After the customary shuttle of in
troductory sentiments the lieutenant burst
cut:
Say, fellows I want you to get into
Chicago society.
There isn't any in the summer" replied
one of the group. Besides. couldn't,
anyway; We have our regulations to look
after and don't know what you and
Hobson have been doing out there in the
Philippines"
This and similar gibes We're evidence Of
the fact that only full confession would
suffice. and one by the men were taken
aside and allowed to view the photograph
of beautiful young woman. The warrior
Swore by the blood of hundred victories
that he would find the original of that pic
ture. In the event of failure he expressed
a desire to be eaten alive 10y the Fiipinos.
None of them recognized the young wo-
man. They introduced him to scores Of
other society men and women. but they all
stared blankly at the photograph and shook
their heads. In final desperation Lieut.
jackson produced the following in evidence:
Lieutenant: l have just seen your likeness
in an April magazine, and take the liberty
of writing TO you to ask a favor. l am
getting old. / am nearly y, and begin TO
fear that | shall never be married. Now. all
the spinsters L knew give as the rea-
son of their single state the plea that
their lovers went away to the and
never came back. 1 believe that the pres
ent again offers the same opportunity
to every young woman.
And this is the favor: In the event OF
h
permission to say that We We're engaged
to be married? [ inclose my photograph
and remain sincerely. Y. Y. H.,
General delivery, Chicago post office
The return mail carried an affirmative
reply from the young officer. together with
his photograph Though he begged Aer
TO write to him, he never received any fur
Their communication. He served through
the war in Cuba without wounds or sick
ness. and was then transferred to the Phil
ippnes, where the climate undermined his
health. Two weeks ago he landed in San
Francisco on sick leave and came imme-
diateiy to Chicago on his wHi-o' the-wisp
mission.
After days of continued search tina young
woman was identified prominent msn,-
Der of North Side society. and a mutual
friend volunteered to call with the officer
on the following evening.
At the sight of the bronzed face and
sound of the name the girl was startled
out of her seif-possession. but rallied dur
ing the pleasantries sufficiently to continue
conversation.
Lieut.. Jackson has called" said the
friend malfciously, Ito assure of his best
wishes
'oh. how nice of you, lieutenant" she
exclaimed. with visible relief. And can't
you stay for the wedding, too. 1t will be
next week"
The officer looked mystified. You don't
mean to say you're engaged" ne gaspsd
Why, yes; didn't you know it? p" she re-
Piled. with scowi at the mutual friend.
But 1-you--why. your letter"
''Oh. yes / know, lieutenant But wa
were to be engaged only in case you died"
was the consoling response