The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-11-04
|ThePresident'sIRid

Charlie ST. Clair came In With la woe
begone expression on his fflce and,
throwing himself into an easy chair,
heavetl deep sigh. Charlie was one
Of the handsomest men ever knew
and withal the most lovable. lie and
l had been classmates and chums at
West Point, had served together IN the
Spanish American war and were, now
stationed at the same post.
whats up. Charlie7" asked.
'I've been ordered to take the Rresi-
dents ride"
"Well." said sympathetically 'tlon't
you think you'll be able to stand itT
II know won't"
Charlie was lazy-lazy on drill, lazy
In quarters, lazy In social life, lazk ev-
erywhcre except In battle. II required
fight to put energy into him, bot It
did His case always reminded ma Of
prominent Confederate generall in
this-the general when an engagement
was coming on never could settle down
20 the work before him without ridiAg
out to the firing line. Then he would
J.
| Charlie lost all his Incidence under tile
rattle of rifles and the boom of bi k
guns. besides becoming brave as ,
| lion.
II tell you what you do, Charlie" /
suggesteG-"p put in all your time bel
tween now and the ride exercising I
Get Off some OF your surplus flesh and
harden your muscles"
"Oh. I'm too blgr'
That told the story exactly. lie was
a big man. and the accumulation Of
/ inertia had got ahead of him. per
sunded him to let me train him. and
worked with him right up to the day
| OF the ride. But It was no use.
never could get him mp in the morn.
ing. lie would eat anything he fancied
/ In short. ne wouldn't train. The con.
sequence was that when ne started
on the ride he was sure to fail. My
heart sank when we left for the start
Ing point. but encouraged him so far
as possible ! was TO take the rido
| myself and hoped TO stimulate him
told him might end a way to pull
him through but he SHOOK his head
L
| despondently.
We hadn't gone ten miles before |
| saw the game was up for Charlie.
From the very start he looked tired.
| and every mile we rode he lost breath.
Tho sweat was rolling down his fat
'hneks. and he was the picture of mel
| qncholy. We had gone over about half
the distance when. making an effort.
he spurred beside me- putting. reelng,
| 4 blush white hue on his face, and
'old mo he was going to drop out. We
were riding past n country place Mt
he time. and saw him turn in at the
,ate. That was the last | saw of him
N the ride.
On reaching my quarters the next
lay I found an order to go to France
% be present at the army maneuyers
| [ was gone six weeks and ON my re-
urn received n note from Charlie say.
nc that he had been unable to leave
he house where he had taken refuge
md wished me TO go to him.
took train and. getting or at the
leareSt station drove to the house
prepared for a sad sight. Judging by
his appearance when l had seen him
asst. he had probably strained some
vital part. and feared to find him
forced to give up life as well as the
lIFmy. On reaching the house ! sent ir
ny card and was ushered into his
room.
There sat Charlie In an easy chair
urrounded by every luxury putting .
fragrant cigar. His color was the
heathiest and HIS flesh was his usus
90 pounds. A white headed old lady
vent out Of the room as | entered Il
md left us alone together.
"Tve sent for you. old man." ne said
to get me out OF a hole. haven
yet been retired and am amenable t.
military discipline. In fact. I'm here
without leave want you TO &c 4
Washington and hx matters up 70
me-"
"Ili send surgeon TO see you. Hell
give you a certificate. suppose. Of dis
ability"
"No. he won't" replied Charlie
Pm not sick"
"Well. then. whatsahe matter?"
Charlie reached out. pushed a but
ton. maid appeared, aud he told he
, | to ask her mistress II she would homo
him with her presence. IN few mo
ments n pretty woman OF about twen
| ty-eight stepped into the room ant
stood so TO speak. at attention.
! "That's what's the matter" SAT
, Charlie "NIrs. Edgerton. permit me (
present one OF my most esteeme
brother officers. Colonel Brewster. cal
Z ed sometimes b. Rooster by those VIII
: love him. a gentleman and soldie
every inch. Colonel. Mrs. Edgerton
70 honor me with her hand. retir
from the army into matrimony."
/ could have been knocked dow
with a feather. While all ms fellow
had been galloplng over the country
/ prevent being retired the big, good nj
Z mred, winsome, lazy 81. Clair ha
dropped out OF the race into the arm
Of charming widow and a splendi
fortune.
Mrs. Edgerton had taken pity o
: I poor ST. Clair from the day he had ri'
dan nm ~ bar housa and had given hil