The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-05-17

years and reseiving some extremely
Thrilling experiences OF colonel Cheney
Tor future telling. we come To 80. 80
and ~, the period Just antedating the
Observation-Disclosures war.
Some of Cheney's cases had been
for The state department and he stood
very high In the estimation of the
federal government. lie was Il man
mature in years, rich in experience
and as evenly balanced as u perfectly
made machine. He was II close and
Intense student of current events and
while he was an ardent partisan IN
politics he never intruded his beliefs
to the detriinent of his work. HIS de
tcctive service company was all pow
erful and Il potent factor for good. us
ramitications We're world wide and Its
workings were under the guidance OF
the master mind of Cheney. In 1897
he was 81 years old. Few grey hairs
had made their appearance and ne
really looked like n man of 40. He
was as forceful and virile as he
always had been. Guthrie, Lonergan
and others had grown up in the BUSH
ness and in 1893 he Incorporated his
company and made these w equal
partners with him. AS he expressed 1T
when he presented them their stock.
You see, fellows, | haven't a kith or
kin to leave anything to when I'm gone
and I'd hate to think of this company
busting up. so I've made You both equal
partners with me You've both been
my standbys and-why, hang it, I'm
near to tears" Which was true. SO
We're the other men.
Cheney's vision of his younger days
whereby he saw a home had faded
away as years passed ON. They We're
just dimly apparent now. Somehow
visions of men at 80 are more roseate
than those of 81.
Keeping in close touch with affairs
notja,al and ntb.ruica frhnnnN know
that sooner or later the United States
was going to invite Spain to leave
the western hemisphere. The invita-
ton would be declined and Spain
would be driven out. AS early as SO
the United States began active, though
unknown to the public, preparations
to do her part. Several delicate gov
ernmental missions We're entrusted to
Cheney. Trips to Cuba. conferences
with the members of the junta, in
spections of certain persons and firms.
Cheney was aware what was going on
at all times and when war did come he
knew he would be appointed chief of
the secret service of the army
The government awoSe to the fact
that it a been standing still for
years so far as information as to what
the other powers We're doing was con-
cerned. 1t began to send army and
navy men to foreign countries to gath
er and collate matters military, but
there We're a number of things civilians
could get as we'll as soldiermen and
sailormen.
Cheney received q note from the
secretary of states private secretary
early in '96 asking him to come to
Washington. Two days later Colonel
Cheney walked into the stately old
pile known as the state, war and navy
received him as cordially as his diplo-
matte and official nature would admit.
Colonel Cheney" he said. I've sent
for you because a man is wanted to
do SC - very delicate work for the gov
eminent
"Abroad?" asked Cheney.
"You anticipate me; yes. abroad"
replied the secretary. There was a
slight touch of asperity in his tone.
Secretaries of state do not like to be
and murmured. pardon me-" He was
not awed one bit by the greatness of
the parsonage in whose presence he
was standing.
1.-THE president wants to see You at
2 o'clock today. Two o'clock, Colonel
Cheney-sharp!"
The sharp was unnecessary, Mr..
Secretary. l served some time in the
army and promptness has always been
q strong point with me. Good morn
ing"
zone moment, colonel. please" The
great ~personage's tone softened q bit.
He began to realize this calm grey
eyed man was above the ordinary.
after the president has finished will
you please come back? | Will have
your papers ready"
You are assuming / will go. then"
of course you'll go-because the
president asks it-because You Will
be serving your country by so doing"
ScoAe one for the secretary. He
struck Cheney fairly and squarely.
T).t;D4;.,,, Woe fthnnnN'. lone Cl1jf
Many a time he had drunk the toast,
my country, may she always be right;
but right or country He
smiled and said:
Eyes. Mr.. Secretary, L eek IN
.Thank you, colonel"
At 2 o'clock Cheney appeared at the
White House. Evidently he was ex-
pec1ed because within a of the
time his card vas taken in a gentle
manly secretary came out and said:
This is Colonel Cheney" Cheney
odded
"The president will see you in a mo-
ment.'
Cheney was not oppressed by the
constrained air of othcialdom. A few
moments later a tiny bell rang and the
secretary led the way down three short
steps to the inner sanctum of the White
House. colonel Cheney said the
calm, brown-eyed, slnooth-faced man
advancing with outstretched hand.
MI. President" replied Cheney, talk
ing the proffered hand.
Sit down, colonel" said the presi-
dent. A cigar was lighted and the at
mosphere soon lacked restraint. Cheney
felt the greatness of the president. Sin
certify, honesty and intensity of purpose
We're written all over his face. His man.
ner was democratic, yet dignified, and
from his brown eyes cleaned his very
soul. Cheney was not an emotional
a and yet if the president a
asked him to stand on his head on top
of the Washington he would
have attempted the feat.
They talked for nearly two hours.
The president unfolded his plans and
ideas. information was wanted. In
formation of government-of the navy
of the army-of everything of interest
other nations We're doing.
"Particularly, Colonel Cheney" said
the president in closing. do l want in
formation of Russia. That's a big
try and there is a great feeling of an
rest there. 1t is rumored the army is
diSloyal, the nav ready to rebel n
the naaSaptrv rp1nV 10 rise in their