The Princeton union., 1900-11-08

VoHlSi., IoA LnhG4WdS $iSHOEy Rarrl.
son now, while the official reports
were hurried on to catch the general
on his way to Cheyenne. Some one
warned the band leader, and the
musicians marched away to quarters.
Some one bore the news to town,
where the flags over the hotel and
the one newspaper Office were at
once lowered to half staff, although
that at Emory, true to official cti-
quette. and tradition, remained until
further orders at the peak, despite
the fact that two of the annihilated
companies were from that very post.
Some one bore the news to Burleigh's
quarters at the depot, and, despite
assertions that the major could see
no one and must not be agitatcd or
disturbed, disturbed and agitated he
was beyond peradventure. Excitcdly
the sick man sprang from his bed at
the tidings Of the massacre and be-
gan penning letter. Then he sum
moned a young clerk from, his office
and told him he had determined TO
get up at once, as now every energy
of the government would doubtless be
put forth to bring the Sioux to terms.
1t was the young clerk who Il few
weeks back had remarked to Il fellow
employe how "rattled" the old man
was getting. The majors doctor was
not about. The major began dictat-
ing letters to various officials as he
rapidly dressed, and what happened
can best be told in the clerks own
words: For a man too sick to see
anyone two hours BEFORE" said he,
"the major had wonderful recupera-
tive powers, but they didn't last. He
was in the midst of letter to the
chief quartermaster, and had got as
far as to say: The deplorable and
tragic fate of Lieut.. Dean points, of
course, to the loss of the large sum
intrus1ed to him. when l looked up
and said: Why. Lieut.. Dean amt
dead, major; he got in all right and
he stared at me minute as if |
had stabbed him. His face turned
yellowwhite and down he went like
n Iog-had a fit, I s'pose. Then 1
ran for help, and then the doctor
came and hustled everybody out
But not till late that night did
these details reach "Old Pecksniff'' at
the post. A solemn time was that
veteran having, for many of the won1-
en- were al lmost in Mysteries and all
were in deep distress. Two of their
number, wives of officers, we're wild
owed by the catastrophe. and one lay
sensel less for hours. It was almost
dark when Mr.. Folsom and the girls
drove homeward, and his face was
lined and haggard. Pappoose nestled
fondly, silently at his side, holding
his hand and closely scanning his
features, as though striving to read
his thoughts. Jessie, comforted now
by the knowledge that Marshall was
rapidly recovering. and the words Of
praise bestowed upon him in the
co1oncls letters, was nevertheless in
deep anxiety rs to the future. The
assurance that the Sioux, even in
their overwhelming numbers, would
not attack "a stocl1ade, was not suf-
ticient. Marshall would be on duty
again within a very few days, the
colonel said. His wounds would heal
within the week. and it was only loss
of SO much blood that had prostrated
him. Within few days, then, her
loved brother would be in saddle and
in the field against the Indians. Who
conld assure her they would not have
another pitched battle? Who could
say that the fate that befell the gar
rison at Warrior Gap might not await
the troop when next it rode away ?
too. by this time. Loomis was burn
irg with eagerness for orders to lead
it instantly to join the field column,
and importuncd Col. Stevens, even in
the midst of all the grief and shock
of the early evening. Almost angrily
the veteran colonel bade him attend
to his assigned duties and not de-
mand others. &c" troop should not
with his advice and consent be sent
north of the Platte. First thing
you know, sir, after they've got all
the troops up along the Big Horn
you'll see the Sioux in force this side
of the river. numbering right and
left, and not company to oppose
them. No, sir, more than enough of
that troop have already been sacri-
feed! The rest shall stay here"
And well was it, for one and all.
that Old Pecksniff" held firm to his
decision. 1t was one Of his lucid in
tervals.
Late that evening, after ten o'clock,
there came the sound of hoofbeats
on the hard road and the crack of a
long-lashcd mule-~hip, and the fort
ambulance clattcred up to Folsom's s
gate, and the colonel himself, his ad-
jutant by his side, came enormously
up the gravel walk. Folsom met them
at his door. Instinctively he felt that
something new and startling was add
ed to the catalogue of the days dis
astrous tidings. Pecksniff's face was
eloquent CT gravest concern, mingled
with irrepressible excitement.
Let me see you in private, quick, -
he said. ''Mr.-ah-Mr. Adiutant,
will you kindly remain in the parlor,''
and, taking Folsom by the allow