Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-09-13

MY good man. said Mr.. Bartlett,
pulling up his horse at the landing,
II would cross to the other side. i am
fortunate to find you at your boat
The ferryman, still bearing in mind
the warm sheets, grew upon the In
slant even more more untrue to his
better self. He merely motioned toward
the ferry and mover over to 1t himself.
They were loon out on the river and
shortly touched the eastern bank.
About noon Mr.. Argyle Bartlett came
up with the Verplancks pickets, and
presenting his passes was taken into
Colonel L~ivingstone's presence by the
corporal of the guard. He explained
his desire to be allowed to go on. stating
that he vas extremely pleased to be
within American soldiers protection,
as he had had an uneasy
time for the last five days.
He carried a note from the
officer in command of the American
forces at Philadelphia, notifying all
whom 1t might concern that he was
Mr.. Argyle Bartlett, merchant of Bos-
ton, and on his way home.
Strangers-such strangers as one
might talk with-were few enough In
that camp, and hence, after a short
conversation as to the condition OF az
fairs in Philadelphia, the colonel was
delighted to grant his request to be al
lowed to stay and have dinner with
the officers. At this moment, indeed,
the mess room began to fill.
Curtis and Acton, with three or -four
Others, soon entered, n the converse
ton became general, though somewhat
guarded; for these men had learned by
long experience not TO trust Wholly
even their own families.
AS It CHANGED, Acton sat beside Mr..
Bartlett, and they were soon talking
over the south
II knew an Acton Of Virginia. In
jamestown, long ago. said Mr.. Bart
lett, "a fine, tall man. But, let me see,
he must be 60-66 at least now"
Yes, there are several branches OF
the family there, n l mad two uncles
who would be hat age
AVE, to be sure said Mr.. Bartlett.
What was Actions first name, now
John? Nay, nay, hat was not it,
WAS 1T Edward?"
Yes, yes-Edward. Indeed so I was.
Ted we called him."
Yes, he was, l know, always called
Ted"
"And how is he now?"
Acton's face saddened. he dled
three years z of the fever"
You do not tell me SOL" cried Mr..
Bartlett, leaning towards Acton, with
that sympathy that told of his real
feelings. No one but Curtis noticed
anything beyond the ordinary in his.
No eyes but the lieutenaant's caught q
quick unconventional even those or
Acton himself.
Then sitting back in his chair, Mr..
Bartlett let his eyes look inward n
seemed to be recalling the old times
they two, Ted and he, had had togeth-
er.
Yes, yes" HI continued, shaking his
head sadly, "'T is sad news to hear 1t.
1 knew him we'll. We had many a
hunt, he and I, in the old days, and
more than one scramble to turn the
Indians off the scent back In the 6Os.'
Then, turning to the colonel, he said:
There be good staunch Ltvtngstones In
the south too, colonel"
Indeed there are" said that officer,
land relatives Of mine too, no doubt;
but it's many a day since / knew of
them"
. And so It was natural that the talk
turned on the havoc war was making
in families, in which all Joined except
Curtis, who seemed averse to talking
on the subject. And then after a time
Mr.. Bartlett thanked the colonel for
his courtesy, wished him a speedy con
clusion Of the war, accepted a good
pistol as an added protection on his
Journey, and set out to strike the
North Castle road.
What followed has been old me so
many times since by my friends that l
know It bv heart. Ar hour passed, and
Acton, Curtis, the doctor, n several
others were still sitting about the
room. The guard had been changed and
at the moment there was taught TO do.
Acton sitting by the door evidently
caught q draught of cool october air;
for on a sudden his gaze grew fixed,
his head went back and he sneeZed
loud enough to lift the roof. He thrust
his hand into his pocket and fshed out
a kerchief.
'Egad, Acton, my lad" said the doc
tor, ''ye'l have the spasms If we re
peat that-Helloa! what's here? Aha!
my friend. We've got thee nova love-
token, as I'm a sinner!" and he
stopped to pick up a paper that had
come from the others pocket with the
kerchief. But the lieutenant was toe
quick for him.
AS Acton picked 1t up he glanced
carelessly at 1t and then his gaze be-
came fixed. A puzzled look grew be-
tween his eyes, and finally he glanced
at the others.
What is IL" asked the adjutant.
CT is but a poor chaff, and badly
done at that"
well, man, what is t? Read it,
said several.
Curtis was smoking quietly some dis
lance away, but he turned to listen as
Acton said:
"A sorry hit, as I'm a sinner"
But what We there, man." said the
doctor. Read 1T out and let us hear
the hit"
Acton the read slowly the follow
ing:
PROBLEM g."
"A can ride to Hardcastle in -four
hours at six miles an hour by the
shorter road. b can do it in three
hours at eight miles on hour on the
same road, starting earlier. How fan
must c go by the longer If he travels
six hours and goes at the rate rep
resented by the sun of one-half the
rate Of each of the others, and wher
must he start In order to arrive one
hour after Az"
No enc could keep back a smile al
the puzzled expression on the lieuten-
ants face as he read this simple prob
lem, that is to say no one except Cur.
tbs; and, as he got up with the others
to look at the ~"per, his face took or
a thoughtful look thai passed unno.
ticed at the moment.
"Oh, lad, you cannot hoodwink u.s.
laughed the a%djutant. You're try.