The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-01-29
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Some years ago among the TecTultS
of the til United States cavalry was
Thomas Asher, young fellow of TWEEN
ty. He was accepted at once and sent
with others to regiment which was
serving in tie west. Tom was a
born soldier. He had tried to get ca
det's \. arrant at West Point, but failed.
With characteristic determination he
resolved to enlist, but as there was
then practically no promotion from the
could ever get a commission.
Tom had been in the service year,
and his soldierly conduct had steadily
advanced him till he had become first
sergeant of his troop. General Crook
was then after Indians, and TOMS
company was detached to watch a
ford One afternoon cattleman drove
some steers into camp and offered them
for sale. The captain concluded to buy
them, as the command had had no
fresh meat for some time. A bargain
was concluded, and the steers were
turned over. When the money was
paid, the cattleman declared that it
was not the price agreed upon and ac-
cused the captain of being a cheat.
This occurred in the hearing of every
man in the company.
The captain was in Guandary. If
he submitted to the insult, his men
would cease to respect him. If he chal-
lenged the herdsman to fight with pis-
tolls, he would likely be reprimanded
or court martialed. Besides. the man
was not a proper person for an officer
to meet in such fashion. While he was
hesitating the cattleman dared him to
have it out with fists. This seemed
the easiest way out Of the muddle, and
the captain agreed.
Tom Asher whispered few words
to several of the men, admonishing
them to stand by him in what he was
going to do. then stepped forward and,
saluting his commander, said:
Captain, we don't want to see the
uniform Of the captain of this company
furnished by herdsman and would be
pleased to have you let us turn him
out Of camp"
eff he does, he's a coward" growled
the cattleman.
81 shall fight him." replied the cap
tain resolutely.
'Then we suggest that since it is
growing dark the matter be deferred
till morning"
Every WELL" said the captain, hoping
that something might occur to render
the combat unnecessary. 'I'll see him
after roll call tomorrow"
The man grumbled, but was led
away by the soldiers. AS soon as they
were out of hearing of the captain
Tom said to him, eff you want to
thrash our captain in the morning, you
are welcome to do So but you've got
to thrash me first-and now"
A ring was formed. and the two men
fell to. The cattleman was a powerful
fellow, but with no skill. Tom was
equally strong, though of not so rug
ged build, and fair boxer. The re-
suit was that he soon got in blow be-
hind the ear that knocked his opponent
down, and he failed to get up.
''Come," said Tom.
The man sat up and looked about
him. as if he wondered where he was.
"Time" called Tom.
The man tried to get up, but failed.
"If you're anxious to fight the cap
tain, you'd better finish this job first"
said Tom.
When the fallen herdsman collected
his senses, he acknowledged himself
beaten and was escorted out Of camp.
The next morning when the captain
called for his opponent and was in
formed that he had vanished during
the night he was much pleased. He
suspected that some Of his men had
relieved him Of disagreeable dilem-
ma, but at the time asked no questions.
Soon after, the Indian war was over,
and the company marched into its
usual quarters without having fired a
shot.
1t was some months after this that
Tom was summoned to the colonePs
headquarters. Arriving there, he found
the colonel sitting before desk open
ing his mail. His captain was also
present. Tom stood at attention and
waited. Presently the colonel took up
an envelope that he had already open
ed and drew forth two papers. Select
ing one, he read:
Special Order No. -:
Sergeant Thomas Asher is promoted to
be second lieutenant for gallant and meri-
torious service in the recent campaign.
Tom was thunderstruck. When he
found his tongue, he said:
"Why colonel, we never fred a shotw
"I ieutenant /" said the colonel "pal-