The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-09-12

pulllng UP MS morse at the landlng,
II would cross to the other side. I am
fortunate to find you at your boat"
t. The ferryn1an, still bearing in mind
the warm sheets, grew upon the in
slant ever more more untrue to his
better self. He merely motioned toward
the ferry and mover over to 1t himself.
They We're soon out on the river and
shortly touched the eastern bank.
About noon Mr.. Argyle Bartlett came
presenting his passes was taken into
Colonel Livingstone's presence by the
corporal Of the guard. He explained
his desire to be allowed to go on. stating
that he was extremely pleased to be
within American soldiers protection,
as he had had an uneasy
time for the last five days.
officer in command Of the American
forces at Philadelphia. notifying all
whom it might concern that he was
MI. 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 af-
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, and 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 1t CHANGED, Acton sat beside Mr..
Bartlett, and they were soon talking
over the south.
IT knew an Acton Of Virginia, in
Jamestown, long ago." said Mr.. Bart
lett, "a fine, tall But, let me see,
he must be 60-66 at least now"
Eyes, there are several branches Of
the family there, and I had two uncles
who would be that age"
AYE, to be sure" said Mr.. Bartlett.
what was Acton's. first name, now
John? Nay, nay, that was not it."
WAS 1t Edward?"
Eyes, yes-Edward. Indeed so't was.
Ted we called him."
Yes, he was. I know, always called
Ted"
And how is he now?'
Acton's face saddened. He died
three years ago Of the fever"
"You do not tell me sou cried MI.
that sympathy that told of his real
feelings. No but Curtis noticed
anything beyond the ordinary in this.
No eyes but the lieutenaant's caught a
quick unconventional even those Of
Acton himself. ,- ..
Then sitting back in his chair, MI.
Bartlett let his eyes look inward and
seemed to be recalling the old times
they two, Ted and he, had had togeth-
er.
Yes. yes" he continued, shaking his
head sadly, cot is sad news to hear it.
I knew him well. 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 50s."
Then, turning to the colonel, he said:
There be good staunch Livingstones in
the south too, colonel"
Indeed there are" said that officer,
land relatives Of mine too, no doubt;
but tits many a day since I knew of
them"
And so it was natural that the talk
turned on the havoc wal was making
in families, in which all Joined except
Curtis, who Heerned 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 q good
pistol as an added protection on his
journey. and set out to strike the
North Castle road.
What followed has been told me so
many times since by my friends that I
know 1t bv heart. Anyhour passed, and
Acton, Curtis. the doctor, and several
others We're still sitting about the
room. The guard had been changed and
at then moment there was naugat to do.
Acton sitting by the door evidently
caught a draught Of DOL October air;
his head went back and he sneezed
loud enough to lift the roof. He thrust
his hand into his pocket and fished out
a kerch1ef. " -
"Egad, Acton, my lad" said the doc
tor, "yell have the spasms if We re-
peat that-Helloa! what's here? Aha!
my friend. We've got thee nova love-
token, as Tn a sinner" and he
stopped to pick up a paper that had
come from the others pocket with the
kerchief. But the lieutenant was too
quick for him. :
AS Acton picked it up he glanced
carelessly al it and then his gaze be-
came fixed. A puzzled look grew be-
tween his eyes, and finally he glanced
at the others. !
"What is TT" asked the adjutant. :
<"'T is but a poor chaff, and badly
lone at that!" '1'- u. 7
"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" Z
But what We there, man." said the
doctor. Read it out and let US heal
the hit"
Acton then read slowly the follow
ing: ~ ~
PROBLEM g."
IA 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 far
must G go by the longer if he travels
! six hours and goes at the rate rep
resented by the sum Of one-half the
rate Of each OF the others. and when
must he start in order to arrive n
hour after AT"
No enc could keep back a smile at
the puzzled expression OF the lieuten-
ants face as he read this simple prob
lem, that is to say, no n except Cur
tbs; and, as he got up with the others
to. look at the oner,s his face took on
a thoughtful look that passed unno-
ticed at the moment.
oh, lad, youcannot hopdwink u.s.
laughed the adiutant.&4Yon,re try
Ing to coach yourself in b rule OF
three
Keep itaun cried the doctor, land
Welcome out IrEt5Ifn the class, and
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