Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1904-11-18
Copyright. lsO2. By c. W. Dillingham; O.
lContinued.l

What no. thou limb of the west,
Fred Benton, by all that's lucky Well
met, my bold Badger, for we're well
nigh dead broke. Our Boniface here
wants dollar apiece for our supper
and five dollars for the demiiOhn of
peach brandy he'd been saving for Joe
Johnston. We can manage the tax for
the VlctualS, Fred. It's the peach that
staggers u.s. And there was uncon-
scious truth in the statement, for the
entire party showed symptoms of un-
due eXhilaration.
I'll 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 in
faded calico, hair and complexion, just
entering from the ''lean-to' at the east
ward side. A shrug of the scraggy
shoulders was the significant reply,
supplemented by the brief word
"Nuthin'''
Somewhere out on the pike cavalry
trumpet sounded Mount and the
sextette started. by Jove, There
goes the escort, SO we must move"
cried burly major. Come, Benton,
fork over and we'll have a stirrup cup"
With that he lugged the demijohn from
underneath the table, slung it by a
deft turn of the wrist, camp fashion,
across his right forearm, and proceeded
to pour liberal shot into the glasses
and cups held forth to him Then the
devil of over stimulation 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, per-
haps. Soldiers will be soldiers, you
know. You're gentleman. Join us in
drink, sir. and toast. Hey, fellows,
let's have toast
"FOrward!" rang the trumpets on the
soft night wind, and the rumble of
wheels gave way to the clack and clat-
ter of countless hoofs.
Come on, major!" shouted Capt
Cranston, he who had accosted Benton,
and by this time had readily effected
the needed loan-with unneeded incre-
ment. 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 it despite the latter's
plea to be excused.
"One toast-just one!" shouted he of
the demijohn. Here's to Little Mac,
by Jupiter, the best general-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 sabres and gauntlets, the
elderly stranger arose, held forth his
glass and courteously said: Give
me thimbleful, sir. I'll join you in
that with infinite pleasure"
Bully for you, old boy!" cried the
major, who had gulped a stiff three
fingers, whereas the Virginian had
merely slipped at his glass. Nov,
'scuse me-just two drops more. One
more toast. Here's confusion to the
confederacy-an everything c'nected
with tan. an
'Oh, come out of this, Mullen!"
growled comrade, grasping him by
the arm. Come out or PHI
Not till I've had a st'rrup cup with
this gen'leman-not till he drinks my
toasht-I've drunk his. Ready, sir?
Here's confush'n to the confederacy
an everybody What! You won't
drink that? You q damned reb'l, too?"
and before his friends could interpose
the half crazed fellow had 1unged
threateningly forward at the pallid
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 apparently 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. running
back to say a word of apology. Then
Fred and the stranger found them
selves for the moment alone.
You have done me kindness,
suh,' said the latter. Did 1 catch the
name alright? Lieut.. Fred Benton. Of
of Wisconsin,"
Benton, yes,' was the wary answer,
for though the word Badger had been
spoken. Wisconsin had not Some
| body had talked to this man Of him be-
fore and now light flashed suddenly
upon the situation
Are you-pardon me-Dr. Chiffon,
! Of Charlottesville" asked Benton.
THE same. sab. at your suhvice. l
| have been to Gen. Mcclellan for per-
mission to take my son, wounded and
paroled, hack home, sub. He treated
me like the courteous gentleman he il,
so l drank his health Nov. pardon
me, you have not eaten" and with that
| Dr. Chiffon arose, and followed the