The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1906-1908, 1906-07-09

WaSnAuSlUH Culfd4Fy naQ &aIneFSa
there. OF all the brilliant assembly
and 1t was as brilliant as the capital
could furnish and resplendent with
dashing uniforms and flashing or
ders bestowed by the royalty of the
world-none attracted more attention
than two gentlemen of middle age
who were inseparable, and who sought
not at all to meet the great and noto-
rious who were present. Both were
gray, both wore the unmistakable air
Of men who had accomplished some
thing worth while, both were evident
ly bored with the function.
Let's duck, Tom," said one after a
time. i've got some rare tobacco over
in my rooms, and there's a lot of
things you've got to tell that want
TO hear"
Are you sure it's decent?" asked
the other-the one with the military
bearing. you see, | don't know much
about this sort of thing. and the Lord
knows l want to co my full duty"
Its all over, Tom," replied the
other, unless you want to stay and
meet more lions and ogle the fair
women you see all about. We've raid
our respects to the hostess. salute1 the
lion, and, according to the rules of the
game, we are now entitled to retreat
in whatever order we may"
"All right, Bert, let's CO." replied
the military man, with a sigh of re-
lief. "Lordy knows this is punish
ment good end plenty"
Whereupon the two men left the gay
assembly AMI presently entered the
modest apartment Of Herbert Van AL
slime, almost across the way.
The general-his stars so new tnat
he was almost ashamed to have them
Seen-glanced about the aristocrat-
lcally appointed room, and scarcely
could smother a cry of admiration.
Truly the journalist friend of his
youth had a den which might well at
tract the attention and admiration of
the best of the sora. of men.
Pipes were Lighted, and the old negro
servant presently served drinks. Aft
ar some moments CT silence the news
paper man looked curiously at his
)ld-time chum who had won distinc-
lion on the field of battle, as well as
In camp and barracks.
Tom, he said, you know my ro-
nance and tragedy-why the dickens
don't you tell me yours? You are the
sort of fellow to whom the women
AXE, and, as remember you, you take
70 the women. How the mischief does
1t happen that you never have mar
ried?"
The general looked long and earnest
ly at his friend, and blew much smoke
into the unoffending atmosphere.
Then he dropped his head into his
hands and remained so long that
Van Alstine arose from his chair and
went around and laid his hand on the
others head.
Forgive me, old chap he said, soft
ly, Il was not trying to start anything
-and-and-God knows | didn't want
to uncover any old sores Let's have
a drink and forget it"
The gesture and words and intona-
ton were so tender and sincere that
the officer looked up gratefully and ex-
tended his hand to his friend
There is no offense," he said. "Put
you touched very sore spot. You
want to know why have never mar
ried-Wly no woman shares my life
with me. Well, old man, will tell
you. 1t is not that l have been so de-
voted to my profession. 1t is not mat
| have been so busy with working out
ordnance problems and doing routine
duty in barracks and fighting Indians
On the plains. These things are wholly
incidental and immaterial 1t was my
Indictment destiny once to meet rly
mate face to face-and then to lose
her-that is all Only, Bert, no other
woman who lives or who will live
can interest me-in that way"
There was a long silence, during
which both men pulled their pipes in
dustriously
1T was during Sherman's march to
the sea-" began the general, presently.
Il was then a second lieutenant Just
from the Point. You know how dread
full were the orders it was necessary to
execute-no l do not believe you do.
Only those who were compelled to ex-
ecute them and the suffering victims
really knew. Mind, do not criticisa
the orders. l believe they were neces-
sary, and that the policy of the govern
ment was justifed-probably But il
was hard to execute some of these or
ders.
IT'S all right, my boy, to make a
death struggle with an armed enemy.
It's all right to execute spies and trail
tors; it's all right to wipe out a lot
OF thieving, scalping red devils-but
deliberately to burn a home over he
heads of women and helpless children.
to destroy barns filed with the prod
duce necessary for their existence. TO
make their fertile fields wilderness
and to leave these helpless people to
starve-that is a very different mat
ter. 1t is necessarily tough. And |
was only boy, and rather a sensitive
boy
But did my duty with all the cold
ness had been taught to lse-until
one day with orders to burn a fine ole
DlantatiOn house from which otir Eel