The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1908-02-06

was paid : dsSsesncs and obediencs 80
announced him to be, Of the highest gradA.
Many hat was lifted Is its owner "a
dressed this officer: and when he spoke.
profound attention was exhibited On
every countenance. AT length the general
raised his own bat, and bowed gravely to
ali around him.. Dismounting, be stepped
back q few PAGES, and for q moment view
ed the condition Of his horse with ths
eye Of one who well understood the ami
mai and then, casting brief but express
i've glance at his aide, he retired into the
building, followed by that gentleman
On entering an apartment that was ap-
parently fitted for his reception, he took
scat and continued for long time in
a thoughtful attitude, like one in the
habit of communing much with himself.
At length the general raised his eyes, and
spoke.
Has the man whom ! wished to see
arrived, sir?"
He awaits the pleasure Of your ex.
cellency." &a&@taJ saTaa 2 d
Il will receive him here, and alone, II
you please" semaz ~ 80 -.ss
The aide bowed and withdrew. In a
few minutes the door again opened, and
figure, gliding into the apartment, stood
modestly at distance from the general.
His entrance was unheard by the officer,
who sat gazing at the fire, still absorbed
in his own meditations. Several minutes
passed, when he spoke to himself in an
undertone: t.,.... s--
'.To-porrow we must raise the curtain
and expose our plans. May heaven pros
per them ~ AE"E s"f3 -@s ".
. A slight movement made by the stran-
ger caught his ear, and he, saw that he
was not alone He pointed silently to the
fire, toward which the agure advanced
A second mild and courteous gesture mo-
toned tosa vacant chair, but the stranger
refused it with modest acknowledgment.
At length the officer arose, and opening
a desk, took from it a small but apparent
ly heavy bag. Esigs & .-szb .sar.a
Harvey Birch" be said, turning to the
stranger, the time has arrived when our
connection must cease; henceforth and
forever we must be strangers" ~ ~ f
The peddler dropped the folds of the
great coat that concealed his features,
and gazed for a moment earnestly at the
face of the. speaker; then dropping his
head upon his bosom, he said, meekly: So.
IF it be your excellency's pleasure"
ut is now my duty 60 pay you for
these services; hitherto you have post
poned receiving your reward, and the
debt has become heavy one. Here are
hundred doubloons; you will remember
the poverty of our country and attribute
to it the smallness Of your pay"
The peddler raised his eyes to the coun-
tenance Of the speaker; bat, as the other
held forth the money, he moved back, as
If refusing the bag. f4 .a.ls. ..s .s.s.
Does your excellency think that have
exposed my life and blasted my character
for money" "F a z #"' 7s
IF not for money, what then?' 4
What has brought your excellency into
the field? For what do you daily and !
hourly expose your precious life to battle
and the halter? What Ia there about me
to mourn, when such men as you risk
their all for our country? No--no---no---
not dollar of your gold viii I touch;
poor America has need of it all ~ Aaas9
The bag dropped from the hand of the
officer, and fell at the feet of the peddler,
where it lay neglected. The officer looked
steadily at the face OF his companion,
and continued. a #F sA5
There are many motives which might
goyern me, that to you are unknown. Our
situations are different; I am known as
the leader Of armies, but you must de-
scend into the grave with the reputation
of foe to your native land. Remember \
that the veil which conceals your true
character cannot be raised in years--per-
haps never. Take enough to secure a
support to your age. Remember your
risks and cares. 1 have told ycu that the
characters of men who are much esteemed
in life depend on your secrecy; what
pledge can / give them of your fdelityf"
Tell them," said Birch, advancing, and .,
unconsciously resting one foot on the bag,
tell them that would not take the
gold r. y .&@s 'hM 81 Il
u (To be continued.) .-. " p