The Press., 1904-07-13
PRIVATE HOGAN,
 COWARD,
Copyright. 1903. by T. c. Mcclure.
By c. B. Lss~fs

1t was really the sergeant's fault from the beginning. He had been sent out on the mountain road to protect the citizen laborers who were cutting telegraph poles, and he had sat himself down with his back to a rock and fall en asleep. There was danger from Indians, but he had posted no pickets. EEEE$E M
 Private Hogan was a new recruit who had never seen hostile warrior, and he should have been warned how to act in case of an attack. Two hours had passed quietly away when ten Sioux warriors "jumped' the party. They attacked suddenly and with whoops and yells. and the sergeant's guard was thrown into panic and ran away. All rallied after short flight all but Hogan. He was thoroughly frightened and continued his flight for a mile Then his Irish courage return ed and forced his legs to take his body back. and he arrived just in time to help his comrades out of a bad fix. A citizen and a soldier had been killed and a second soldier wounded, and Sergeant Davidson quaked as he thought of the report he must make to his colonel. There was one way to ex- cuse his carelessness. and he seized upon it.
 In due course of time Private Hogan was court martialed for cowardice. He had run away from the enemy and left his comrades to fight it out. True, they had run also, headed by the ser geant, and it was also true that Hogan returned at critical stage and fought we'll, but the sergeant piled 1t on to him at the trial and made out a bad case against him. He must save his neck by putting the rope around an- others, and the sentence was that Prl- vate Hogan be dismissed from the army for cowardice.
 Two weeks later he was escorted to the gate of the fort one afternoon and told to go. AS he left the gate the dis graced man turned toward Wolf creek and walked away without once looking back. He had made a poor defense, but he knew that he was no coward and that he had been sacrificed to save the sergeant. To be thus dismiss ed from the army meant that he must get out of the country. AS branded coward even the sQuaws of the half breeds would be licensed to spit upon him.
 There was but one house at the cross ing of Wolf creek, that of the Widow M haI rxrfkh her daughter Mary. now a girl of twen- ty, for three or four years past, fur nishing meals to the teamsters and be- ing the only postmaster for many miles around. Several soldiers at the fort were sweet" on Mary, but Sergeant Davison was supposed to have the call over all of them. His term of service would be out in less than a year, and In his own mind he arranged to marry Mary and settle down on the ranch. It had been long since the Sioux raided up Smoky valley, but there was no telling when they might come again. and beacon had been prepared by the soldiers for the women to light in case they needed help night or day.
 When Hogan reached the postOf1lce he sat down on the doorsteps and let his chin fall into his hands and did some thinking. By and by the girl came out and found him there. She had heard of his trial and sentence, and she pitied him.
 Il suppose you despise me the same as the rest?" he said as he knew of her presence, but without looking up.
 You have been drummed out?" she queried in turn. ..!sEs
 Aye. drummed out and disgraced forever! I'm more of an object of con- tempt than a squaw man. Why don't you order me to go on?"
 "See here, Hogan, Pm sorry for you," she said as she laid a hand on his arm. You might have lost your head for a time, but that wasn't cowardice."
 ''Thank you for that. missy" he said as he looked up, with tears in his eyes.
 'You'll have to go. but don't be hu- initiated. Some of the men have hint ed to me that you might nave made a stronger defense at the trial"
 "Yes, l could have said more," he unused as he nodded his head, but a was wanted, and was new to the company and had no chums. Miss Mary, Pm a mind to- But let it go. Pm Citizen Hogan, the coward, and will be till Pm 500 miles away and among men who'll never hear of this. If they'd only have sent me to the guardhouse for six months and given me another chancep
 Don't fret over it," soothed the girl.
 "Bur to call me a coward-me, an Irishman-and to prove it against me! I can't abide it, missy. can't do it. If only had another show I'd make 'em sing different tune. Pm disarm- ed and disgraced and turned out, but I'd go for the Sioux with a club if the Lord would only send lem this way"
 But that can't happen, and I'm tell ing you''-
 She was interrupted by shouts and shots and the chatter of hoofs, and next moment the soldier mail rider ap- peared around the bend of the road forty rods below. He was lying down and clinging to his horses neck, and behind him were twenty hostiies on their ponies.
 Unto the house, missy-in for Gods sakew shouted Hogan as he sprang up and pushed her before him and barred the door.
 A Winchester rife hung on the wall In the public room, and almost before the girl and her mother could realize what was happening Hogan had fired from a window and tumbled the lead Ing Indian off his pony. At that same Instant the horse of the mail rider fell at the door, and his wounded own- CT was flung to the earth.
 i've halted the red devils for a min- ute," said Hogan to the women, ''and now to get the man in before they lift his scalp. Take the rifle and cover me as I make dash" 4
 A score of bullets were fired at him by the circling Indians as he sprang from the door and seized the wounded man and bore him inside. but he es-