Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1902-09-11


MY good man. said Mr.. Bartlett
pulling up his horse at the landing,
II would cross to the other side. am
fortunate TO find YOU at your boat
The felryman, 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 it himself.
They We're soon out on the river and
shortly touched the eastern bank.
About noon Mr.. Argyle Bartlett came
up With the Nerpiancks pickets, ana
presenting his passes was taken into
Colonel I-ivingstone's presence by the
corporal OF the guard. He explained
his desire to bealowed 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.
lie carried q note from the
officer in command of the American
forces at Philadelphia. notifying al
whom ii might concern that he vas
Mr. Argyle Bartlett merchant of Bos-
ton, and ON his Nay home.
Strangers such strangers as one
might talk with--were few enough in
that camp, and hence, after q short
conversation as to the condition of at
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 it CHANGED. Acton sat beside MIR.
I,artlett, and they We're soon talking
over the south.
II knew an Acton of Virginia. in
jamestown. long ago said Mr.. Bart
lett. "a fire, tall man. But. let me see,
he must be e0-66 at least now.
YES, there are several branches of
the family there, and had two uncles
who would he that age.
Aye. to be sure said Mr. Bartlett.
What was Acton's first name, now
John? Nay, nay, that was not it,
Was IL E.dward?R
Yes, yes-Edward. Indeed so t was
Ted we called him.
YES, he was, l know, always called
! Ted
and how is he now"
Actons face saddencd. He died
( three years ago of the fever.
"You do not tell me SOL cried Mr..
Bartlett, leaning towards Acton, with
4 that sympathy that told of his real
\ feelings No one but Curtis noticed
4 anything beyond the ordinary in this
q No eyes but the lieutenaants caught a
quick movement-not even those of
Acton himself
Then sitting back in his chair. Mr..
Bartlett let his eyes look inward and
seemed to be recalling the old times
they two, Ted and he, had had togeth-
yes yes he continued shaking his
head sadly, CT is sad news to hear IT..
1 knew him we'll. We had many a
hunt, he and J. In the old days. and
more than one scramble to turn the
Indians off the scent back in the EOS. "
Then, turning to the colonel, he said:
There be good staunch l4ivingstones In
the south too colonel.
"lndeed there are" said that officer,
"and relatives of mine too no doubt;
but It's many day since / knew OF
them"
And so 1t 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 Il time
Mr.. Bartlett thanked the colonel fol
his courtesy, wished him speedy con
clusion of the war, accepted u good
pistol as an added protection on his
Journey and set ont 10 strike thc
North Castle road.
What followed has been told me So
many times since by my friends that
know 1t bv heart. An hour passed. ant
Acton, Curtis, the doctor. and severa
others We're stun sitting about Tho
room The guard had been changed anc
at the moment there was nausht to do
Acton sitting by the door evidently
caught u tlraught of cool october air
for on a sudden his gaze grew fixed
his head went back and he sneezet
loud enough to lift the roof he thrus
his hand into his pocket and iished on
IL kerchief.
"Egad, Acton, my lad said the doc
tor. yell have the spasms If we re
peat that-I5elloa, what's here? Aha
my friend. We've got thee nova love
token. as I'm a sinner and h
stopped to pick up q paper that hal
come from the others pocket with th
l1erchlef But the lieutenant Was to-
quick for him.
AS Acton picked 1T up he glance
carelcssly at ii and then his gnze be
came fixed. A puzzled look grew be
tween his eyes and finally he glance
at the others,
What is "" asked the adjutant.
"'1' Is but q poor chaff, and badl
well, nlan, what is t? Read It,
said several.
curtis Vas smoking quietly some dis
tance away, but he turned to listen q
Acton said:
"a sorry hit, as I'm a slnner.''
But what We there, man. said tn
doctor. "Head 1t cut and let us hea
the hit
Acton then read slowly the follow
ing;
"PROBIF.N g.
"a car ride 10 Hardcastle in fou
hours at six miles AN hour by III
shorter road. - can do 1T in tllle
hours at eight miles on hour on tn