The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-13


days of the war, when almost anything
but square fight could be had for money.
and the aid was in no wise surprised to
find half dozen field and staff officers eat
ing heartily in the kitchen, and rather
loudly and coarsely. yet not really ill-na-
turedly, chatting elderly. gray-haired
man who. seated by himself at a little
table, answered their crude sallies with
imperturbable dignity and patience. One
of the number knew Benton, and jovially
hailed him by name:
What no, thou limb of the West, Fred
Benton, by all that's lucky Well met, my
bold Barger, for we're well nigh dead broke.
Our Boniface here wants dollar apiece
for our supper and five dollars for the
demijohn of peach brandy he'd been saving
for Joe Johnston. We can manage the tax
for the victuals. Fred. It's the peach that
staggers us" And there was unconscious
truth in the statement, for the entire party
showed symptoms of undue exhilaration.
III stake you provided you've left
enough supper for me and my orderly"
laughed Benton. otherwise I'll see you
hanged first. How is it, friend? What
can you give me?" and he turned to the
man of the house, and he in turn to the
tall, unkempt creature I'm faded calico,
hair ard complexion, just entering from the
! '1eanto' at the eastward side. A shrug of
the scraggy shoulders was the significant
reply, supplemented by the brief word,
"Nuthin'"
Somewhere out on the pike a cavalry
trumpet sounded Mount" and the sex
tet started. by Jove, There goes the es-
cort, SO We must move" cried a burly
major. Come, Benton, fork over, and We'll
have stirrup cup" With that he lugged
the demijohn from underneath the table,
slung 1t by deft turn Of the wrist, camp
fashion, across his right forearm, and pro-
ceeded to pour out liberal shot into the
glasses and cups held forth to him. Then
the devil of overstimulation sent him
lunging across the narrow floor to the table
where sat the lonely Virginian. Come,
old chap" he cried, you're all right.
We've been little free. perhaps. Soldiers
will be soldiers. you know. You're a gen.
tleman. Join us in drink, sir, and a
toast. Hey, fellows, let's have a toast"'
Forward" rang the trumpets on the
soft night wind, and the rumble of wheels
gave way to the clack and clatter of count
less hoofs.
Cranston. he who had accosted Benton.
and by this time had readily effected the
needed loan-with unneeded increment.
Come on! Don't bother the gentleman.
We must be off,
But the major was bent on another drink
and having the gray-haired stranger share
1t. despite the latter's plea to be excused.
"One toast-just one!" shouted he of the
ta INV,
ter. the best generaI-the best gentleman
In the whole army! Amt he, old chap?'
And, to the surprise of all, even in the
midst of the boisterous talk and confusion
as the party searched for discarded sabers
and gauntlets. the elderly stranger arose,
held forth his glass, and courteously said:
Give me a thimbleful, sir. I'll join you
in that with infinite pleasure"
Bully for you. old boy!'' cried the major,
who had gulped stiff three fingers, where
as the Virginian had merely slipped at his
glass. Now. 'scuse me-just two drops
more. One more toast. Here's confusion
to the Confederacy-an' everything c'nect-
ed with tan, an"
"Oh. come out of this, Mullen" growled
comrade. grasping him by the arm.
"Come out, or I'LL
genleman-not till he drinks my toasht-
I've drunk his. Ready, sir? Here's con-
fush'n to the Confederacy an everybody
What? You won't drink that? You a
damned rebl. too?" and before his friends
could interpose the half-crazed fellow had
lunged threateningly forward at the palid
stranger. who. having set down his glass
untouched, stood facing them, one hand
uplifted in silent protest. 1t was Benton
who sprang between them and with ap-
parently laughing ease whirled the major
about, and with his powerful hands on the
burly shoulders sent him struggling and
swearing to the doorway. where the others
closed about and bore him away, one of
their number, young staff captain, run
ming back to say a word of apology. Then
Fred and the stranger found themselves
for the moment alone.
You have done me kindness subj"
said the latter. did 1 catch the name
Alright? Lieutenant Fred Benton, of-of
Wisconsin,"
Benton, yes" was the wary answer
for. though the word Badger had been
spoken. Wisconsin had not. Somebody
had talked to this man of him before, and
now light flashed suddenly upon the situa- |
ton.
Are, you-pardon me-Dr. Chiffon, of |
Charlottesville?" asked Benton.
1.-The same, sub, at your suhvice. 1 have
been to General Mcclellan for permission |
to take my son, wounded and paroled |
back home, sub. He treated me like the |
courteous gentleman he is, so drank his |
health. Now. pardon me, you have not |
eaten," and with that Dr. Chiffon arose |
and followed the whispering Darby and |
Joan into the lean-to, and when he re- |
turned 1t was with an air of mild triumph. |
"You shall be suhved. sub, in a few mo- !
ments; also your orderly Che called it |
"ohdly.") "You ride on to Fairfax
NO." said Benton, II look to meet my |
division somewhere about here. They come |
by way of the lower fords. as am told |
Then they are retiring from the juno |
tion too?" asked the veteran, an eager /
light in his eye.
IT cannot say" answered Benton, coldly |
now, for the sudden question put him on |
his guard.
Pardon me, sub, If seem overpleased. |
have no reason to rejoice. L am too old /
to serve even il my people had not op- |
posed the ordinance of secession, and no |
enemy could be so courteous and consider
ate as General Mcclellan and she officers
of your own division. My son, suh-and |