Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-13
BOB-TAILED ROMANCE.
A Cavalry Omccr who Had Ideas OF
NatrimOny.

The presence OF a young cavalry officer
in Chicago last week and his subsaqu mt
evolutions in the saloons OF the city, reports
the Tribune. have furnished the denou m mt
CT a "bob-tailed' romance OF the Spanish
war.
The young man, who begged the reporter
to refer to him merely as Jackson, registered
at a downtown hotel and then struck into
a double-quick for the clubs Of his friends.
After the customary shuttle OF introductory
sentiments the lieutenant burst out:
Say, fellows, | want you to get me into
Chicago society"
There isn't any in the summer" replied
one OF the group. "Besides, We couldn't,
anyway; we have our regulations to look
after, and we don't know what you and
Hobson have been doing out there in the
Philippines"
This and similar gibes were evidence OF
the fact that only a full confession woul1
suffice, and one by one the men were taken
aside and allowed to view the photograph
of a beautiful young woman. The warrior
/, swore by the blood OF a hundred victories
that he would find the original OF that
picture. In the event Of failure he expressed
a desire to be eaten alive by the Filipinos.
None of them recognized the young woman.
They introduced him to scores OF other
society men and women, but they all stared
blankly at the photograph and show their
heads. In final desperation, Lieu enant
Jackson produced the following in evidence:
Chicago, ILL.,, April II, 1S9S.-My Dear
Lieutenant: / have just seen your likeness
in an April magazine, and take the liberty
of writing to you to ask a favor. I am
getting old; I am nearly 81, and begin to
fear that I shall never be married. Now, all
the epinsters l ever knew give as the reason
of thefr. simple state the Dlpa that their
lovers went away to the war and never came
! back.n'I believe that the present war again
offers the same opportunity to every young
| woman. .i.- -at.r 1"' a..
and this is-the favor: In the event OF
your death In, the war, will you give me
permission to say that W. were engaged to
be married? I inclose my photograph and
remain sincerely, X. Y. a.,
General delivery, Chicago postof1ce."
The return mail carried an affirmative re-
ply from the young officer. together with
his photograph. Though he begged her to
write to him, he never received any further
communication. He served through the war
in Cuba without wounds or sickness and
was then transferred to the Philippines,
where the climate undermined his health.
Two weeks ago he landed In San Francisco
on sick leave and came Immediately to Chi
cago on his wilr-o'Ithe-wisp mission.
After days of continued search the young
woman was identified as a prominent men-
Der of North Side society and a mutual
friend volunteered to call with the officer
on the following evening.
Al the sight OF the bronzed face and
sound Of the name the girl was startled out
Of her self possession, but rallied during
the pleasantries sufficiently to continue con-
versation
Lieutenant Jackson has called" said the
friend maliciously, ito assure you of his
best wishes
ooh, 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 ficer looked mystiied. you don't
mean to say you're engaged" he gasped.
why, yes; didn't you know it?" she re-
piled, with a scowl at the mutual friend.
But I-you-why, your letter"
ooh, yes / know. lieutenant. But we
were to be engaged only in case you died, "
was the consoling response.