The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-01-15
Private MGC0Pd Goes Home
BY Bourbon Wilson.


McCord had been in the army three
years, during which he had become
the crack shot and most daredevil
rider in "a troop, a troop OF dare
devils, when this, his first attack
of inconsistencies, came upon him;
which was remarkable, If the fact
that he had passed two years and
len montns of this time in the sad
die, chasing Apaches, or himself be-
ing chased, be taken into consider
Rtion.
When he and Billy arrived at the
post canteen, he recklessly followed
his initial glass of beer with one
of wine, and to this mixture was not
long in adding at least one sample
of every variety of liquor in the
place, quickly becoming first happy
and then hilarious At last Billy
decided that he had had enough; be-
sides, the bugles would be calling
them; and taking him by the arm,
he tried to get him to go.
But McCord was of a different
mind. Nav, I'm going to stay
here,"he objected, pulling back, I'm
a-havin' too good time. Why, say,
Bllly-hic--this is most as good as
Tennessee. Let's take another drink;
les keep tn ball a-rollin'."
But Billy dragged him TO the door,
where he was still urging him to go,
when the blare of bugle came ring
ing across the parade.
There, now we've got to run for
t!" exclaimed Billy, starting away at
his best speed, fully expecting the
other to follow.
And McCord from force of habit
turned and went back to the canteen;
roll-call or no roll-call, he was going
10 have his good time out. But the
place now was deserted, and there
was no fun in drinking without COM
panions. Presently, however, a happy
thought occurred to him; a mile down
the valley was little Mexican town,
where he would find congenial COM
pany with whom to drink mescal,
What occurred that night left but lit
tie impression upon his memory; at
sunrise he came to sense of his
surroundings to find himself not far
from the post. His hands and face
were scratched and bloody, and his
eyes were hlear and bloodshot. He
looked wicked, and felt wickeder.
What he intended doing next had
taken only vague form in his brain,
except that he would give his bully
Ing little lieutenant the thrashing Of
his life. And it so happened that
Lieut.. Coyle was one of the first per-
sons he was to meet. He was par
leying with a sleepy eyed sentry when
the lieutenant, with--the new guard,
came marching up. A moment the
lieutenant eyed him in surprise and
disgust; then:
Sergeant, place that man under
arrest" he commanded.
But McCord was too quick for the
rergeant. With howl ne leaned past
the surprised sentry straight for the
officer, sending his fist smashing into
the latter's face, and stretching him
stunned upon the ground. Then, be-
fore hand could be laid upon him, a
revolver he must have captured in the
cantina flashed from beneath his
blouse, and came to stop with the
muzzle between the sergeant's eyes.
Drop yo' rife and hold up yo'
hands," he ordered.
blazing blue eyes, saw that resistance
would be idiotic, and his hands
promptly shot upward at arms length
above his head.
McCord grinned approval. Nov
all keep out O. this" he snapped out
with a nod at the astonished guard,
cor I'll blow his fool head Off He's
goin' to~take little pasear with me"
And collaring the sergeant with his
unemployed hand he started with him
at brisk walk in the direction of
the town, none of the other men dar-
ing to interfere. A quarter OF a mile
away, while rounding a low hill, they
met Mexican in horseback, and Nc
Cords weapon instantly was brought
to include him in It's menace.
cit down off that >hoss!" he COM
manded, SO savagely that the fright
ened Mexican obeyed without protest.
McCord toph the rein from his
trembling hand Now, then, you all
line up here" he ordered next, "an'
don't you move a finger till I'm out
o. range!" He had seen at glance
that the Mexican was not armed.
Keeping both covered with his, re-
volver he carefully swung himself into
the saddle and started away at a
gallop.
Upon reaching the foothills he
stopped to turn and look back, and,
seeing no sign Of pursuit, then went
on at a slower pace. He was sober
now, and fully realized what he had
done. And he knew that every effort