The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-03-16
CHAPTER NNI.-CoNT1NuED.

CHAPTER NNI.-CoNT1NuEDs
1t was an impressive scene as the
old soldier read the sad details to the
rapidly growing group of weeping
women, for that was Emory's garri-
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 We're at
once lowered to half staff, although
that at Emory, true to official eti-
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 agitated or
disturbed, disturbed and agitated he
was beyond peradventure. Excitedly
the sick man sprang from his bed at
the tidings of the massacre and be-
gan penning letter. Then he sum-
moned 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.
It was the young clerk who q few
weeks back had remarked to a fellow
employee 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 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 quarterm;~ter, and had got as
far as to say: The deploruble and
tragic fate of Lieut.. Dean points, of
course, to the loss of the large sum
intrusted to him. when l looked up
and said: why, Lieut.. Dean amt
dead, major; he got in all right and
he stared at me a minute as if I
had stabbed him. His face turned
yellow-whitc and down he went like
log-had II fit, l s'pose. Then
ran for help, and then the doctor
came and hustled everybody out"
But not till late that night did
these details reach "Od Pecksniff" at
the post. a solemn time was that vet
eran having. for many of the women
were almost in Mysteries, and all were
in deep distress. Jessie, comfortrd now
rapidly recovering. and the words OF
praise bestowed upon him in the
coloners letters, WAS nevertheless in
deep anxiety as to the future. The
assurance that the Sioux, even in
their overwhelming numbers, would
not attack Il stockatIr. WAS not suf-
ficient. 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 hat had FRUSTRATED
him. Within Il few days. then, her
loved brother would be in saddle and
in the field against the Indians. Who
could assure her they would not have
another pitched battle? Who could
say that the fate that bcfrll the gar
rison at Warrior Gap might not await
the troop when next it rode away?
And poor Jess had other anNieties
too, by this time. Loomis was burn,
ing with cagerncss for orders to lead
it instantly to join the field column
and importuned Col. Stevens, even in
the midst of all the grief and shock
of the early evening. Almost angrily
the veteran colonel babe him attend
to his assigned duties and not de-
mand others. &c" troop should moi
with his advice and consent be sent
north of the Platte. First thing
you know, sir, after they've got al
the troops up along the Big Horn
you'll sec the Sioux in force this side
of the river, numbering right anG
left, and not company to oppose
them. No, sir, more than enough oil
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 hoofbeat.
on the hard road and the crack of 6
long-lashed mulc-whip, and the for
ambulance clattcred up to Folsom:
gate, and the colonel himself, his ad
jutant by his side, came nervously
up the gravel walk. Folsom met then
at his door. Instinctively he felt tina
something new and startling was add
ed to the catalogue of the days dis
astrous tidings. Pecksniff's face wa
eloquent CT gravest concern, mingled
with irrcpressible excitement.
"Let me see you in private, quick,
he said. "Mr.-ah-Mr. Adjutant
will you kindly remain in the parlor,
and, taking Folsom by the elbow
Pecksniff led impetuously into the II
brary. The girls had gone aloft onl
q moment before, but, dreading new
of further evil, Pappoose came fut
tering down.
go in and welcome the adjutan
: DEAR" said Folsom, hurriedly. 9TH
colonel and I have some matters I
talk Of" Obediently, she turned 9
once, and, glancing up the stair
noticed that Mrs. Fletcher's doc
must have been suddenly opened, *
the light from her room was no
efraaminr on the third-floor balu