The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-03-10

shown us some favor-I do not
recall just what it was-when
one of the ladies exclaimed:
Poor Capt. McEwan!" and |
knew from her tone that the
vials of Gen. Miles wrath would
| be poured on the head of poor
Capt. McEwan" for daring to
show us even so slight a courtesy.
| fancy that the generals official
household often found that life
was not 'all beer and skittles. "
But still the piano, that ignis
fatus, while seemingly within
our grasp, would vanish away at
our approach, for every obstacle
was placed in the way of our OBJ
tanning or even seeing it. We
knew beyond a doubt that it was
in Gen. Miles possession, but al
though we went armed with the
order from the president, and
having the list of missing articles
which was furnished us at the
quartermaster's department, on
| ollS pl SICAl VI SillOlllSI VIC were
turned away empty-handed.
Once, after what seemed
most convincing identification,
we returned home full of hope
that in a few days we should see
the full fruition of our labors,
only to be followed by an official
notification from Gen. Miles that
the piano had been claimed by
another party, and that when
| ditinite (spelt definate) claims
naS name Seua and ID residence Of the e cefaiti. #
ant The name was withheld,
but Alexandria was given as the
, place of residence. Our next
, move was to the quartermaster
: in Norfolk, from whom we re-
/ ceived the information that the
: piano was sent to Gen. Butler
/ from Portsmouth, thus entirely
l disproving the claim of the party
: from Alexandria, if any really
. had been made. -,
S Surely, now, nothing could be
e between me and my coveted
q piano.
y 1t was a clear, bright Decem
ber day when we again. starte'
l. on our quest. The trip iron
sr Portsmouth to Old Point wa
le quickly made, and as we passee
from house to house within tn
ot fort. we saw everywhere happ
rt preparations for the Christine
ed so near at hand. The crlmsG
IL berries and glossy leaves OF II II
e, holly. the fragrant pine and tt
re spicy cedar were everywhere
e. evidence, and as | stopped al
q, picked up a hough which nj
us been dropped in my path, n
as sister said: What have yo
ed Az" "Oh, these are my pan
we of victory" l replied. Sh0G
zee siohted mortal. I did not tn
'se know Gen. Miles. A short VIZ
d brought us once more to MS hes
m, quarters. At our ring at
ID: bell. an orderly appeared, a
PSI, 81, with a most cheerful contlder
|? I said, 1--WE have come to see
the n;ano in Gen. Miles house
ne Conceive, if you can. the dlsn
mt with which l heard the wor
"Gen. Miles has given prere,r
req tory orders that no one shall
vas allowed to see the piano.
ma mo Helpless l stood before
'tlo 't royal decree, and for the I
''h time felt a real sense OF bl
,;,n encouragement. My resoul
In. ilais had all been exhausted, and
;naa ioaa to whom would | turn? Il
,tAeu u en- appeal to Gen. Terry again. I
u Il, Miles may command at Fort
VeiSy Monroe, but Gen. Terry
'es,, mands Virginia. So once T
;tm ;e,'o INV cry for help was sent to
i'u o,,r and speedily | received a r.
,',ora .o which / copy verbatim.
w MeI he original is in my possession.
III tbore ne Richmond, Dec. 9, lS
theLe e the Madame: | have the h
i Cne to acknowledge the receip
ny VI vour letter of December 1st
10 10 Mai. Gen. Miles has rec'
o, full instructions with rega
, iiie bod the matter of which you v