The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1903-01-15
| The 'olonel'S |
Story OF Flad ~
BY JOHN II. RAFTERY

@ lifting by the camp fire one even
y ing the talk had turned upon the
striking performances of some of the
tenderfoot desperadoes who had out
shot and outsh one some of the old
timers. Capt. Crews mentioned Ger
aid Flad and his brief but brilliant
career as rang er, and then everybody
had something to say about the dash
ing OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES who flashed
like a meteor a cross the border firma-
ment some ten years ago. Col. Hutch
inson, who was the dean of the party
and had seen bloody service in two
wars, threw OF of unexpected light
upon the personality Of the vanished
bravo, and as finale to the evening s
talk told this story:
His father was one of that fast fad
ing race of Irish gentlemen who chose
arms as profession and found neither
sorrow nor ppointment in the scat
tered and cruel rewards of his adven-
turous life. Roger Flad, the father
was in every W rising that gave prom
Use of hard knocks. When he couldn't
find work for lis sword in the cause
of his own suffering island he bought
commission il the British army, and
afterward wanl cred round the world
like a knight rrant of old, seeking
chances for chivalrous advancement.
think he marri ed Castilian girl, but
at all events Gerald was his only child
and he reared him as gentle-blooded
son of rowing soldier of fortune. You
know the boy spoke French. Italian.
Spanish and German as well as he
spoke English, and he was a devil with
broadsword, cutlass or rapier before
he was of age. He had been expelled
from Heidelberg before he was Is, and
when he first showed up at the head
quarters of Coppinger's California eN-
petition he had more scars across his
boyish countenance than half of us
veterans.
think the q. man-he was only a
lieutenant when the Prrle Sioux got
him-was half sorry Of the training OF
his SON for the Youngsters early life
was q fierce exc ~~era tion of all the
fathers nassion for war and adventure
Of all kinds. Well everybody liked
bir-I'ye beard Phil Sheridan swear
that the lad was the best wild turkey
shot that ever came into the Indian
countrv--hut he couldn't get things
hot enough for him. He secuted for
two months in he Sierras on that Cal
ifornia expedition. disappeared, and
the next we he ard he was distinguish
mo himself in the Matabele wars as a
busfwhacker and guerrilla. I was
down in Old Mexico when Ochoa was
"starting things"-never mind what
was there for--and who should see
one day, drilling troop Of the most
rascally outlaws that ever crossed the
Rio Grande. but Gerald himself, as
brown as an Arab and as iaunty as the
rowdiest rurale that ever wore spurs.
T didn't get in right with these reyolu-
tiorists. but I was in FL Paso-they
called IT Paso del Norte then---when
met Gerald. thin and yellow as parch.
ment. saunterfng along in the Plaza.
hailed him. and found out all about
the failure of his ambitious plans, He
10 nave DeCI SoNCiIOl vi SUNNY
thing If the rebellion had succeeded
He had been hit at the Arroyo fight
crayled II miles to the river and was
now recuperating at Hotel Dieu, q
skeleton Of himself. but as full of devil.
ment as ever. He said very frankly
that he was in terrible frame OF
mind about young woman OF ChihHa.
hua-a high caste Mexican OF Cofdo-
van descent-wtom he meant to marry
even though he had to carry her off
Singular. isn't it. how the fathers pre-.
affections appeared in the boy?
s.The trouble is. said Gerald, sitting
~ stone bench in the shade, 'ths
GIRL is in love with a bullfighting rap
scallion from Madrid who has been
down through the republic, struttine
and COW killing till the women are al
wild about him The worst of it is he's
coming up here. and I suppose the
whole Of Mexico will send Its best pco
nle to cheer aud licnize him. 1 dolt
know whetfe~ 70 Kill him or turn tor
eador myself u sallenge him. Hell
~ here neal aay1s.4-, and I've got ii ~