The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-10-30
The President Ride

evening after retreat when my friend
Charlie st. Clair came iu with woe
begone expression on his face and,
throwing himself into an easy chair
heaved a deep sigh. Charlie was one
Of the handsomest men ever knew
and withal the most lovable. He and
had been classmates and chums at
West Point, had served together in the
spnnish-American war and were now
stationed at the same post.
whats up CharieY' asked
"I've been ordered to take the presfa
dents ride"
"Well." ! said sympathetlcaily, don't
you think you1l be able TO stand lt?'
Il know ] won't"
Charlie was lazy-lazy on drill, lazy
IN quarters, lazy In social life. lazy ev-
erywhere except IN battle. 1t required
Z. fight 10 put energy into him. but it
did, His cnse always reminded me OF
prominent Confederate general in
this the general when m engagement
was coming on never could settle down
TO the work before him without riding
out TO the firing line. Then he would
ride back ready to listen to orders
Charlie lost all his indolence under the
rnttle of rifles and the boom Of big
guns besides becoming brave as
lion.
Il tell you what you do. Charlie" 1
saggested-''put In all your time he
tween now and the ride exercising.
Get off some of your surplus flesh aud
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
sundPd him TO let me train him. and
worked with him right up 10 the day
of the ride But It was no Mse.
never could get him dp in the nom.
ing. He would eat anything he fancied
In short. he wouldn't train. The con.
sequence was that when he started
on the ride he was sure to fall. My
heart snnk when we left for the start.
ing point. but encouraged him 80 far
as possible. was To take the ride
myself and hoped to stimulate him.
] told him might find way to puil
him through, but be shook his head
despondently.
We hadn't gone ten miles before
saw the game was up for Charlie.
From the very start he looked Erred.
and every mile we rode he lost breath.
The sweat was rolling down his sat
checks. and he was the picture OF mel
ancholy. We had gone over about lalt
the distance when. making an effort.
he spurred beside me. putting, reeling,
a blush white hue on his face, and
told me he was going. to drop out. We
were riding past a country place at
the time, and saw him turn in at the
gate. That was the last l saw OF him
on the ride.
On reaching my quarters the next
day I found an order TO go to France
TO be present at the army maneuvers.
I was gone six weeks and ON my re-
turn received note from Charlie say
ing that he had been unable to leave
the house where he had taken refuge
and wished me TO go to him.
! took ntrain and. getting or at the
nearest station. drove to the house
prepared for n sad sight. Judging by
his appearance when had seen him
last. he had probably strained some
vital part. and feared to find him
forced to give up life MS well as the
army. On reaching the house I sent in
my card and was ushered into his
room.
There sat Charlie in an easy chair.
surrounded by every luxury, putting a
fragrant cigar His color was the
healthiest. and his flesh was his usual
300 pounds. a white headed old lady
went out Of the room as ] entered Il
and left MS alone together.
"I've sent for you. old man." he said
ito get me out OF hole. I haven't
yet been retired and am amenable to
military discipline. In fact. I'm here
without leave want you TO go to
Washington ana hx matters up for
me"
"T'll send n surgeon to see you. He'll
give you a certificate, l suppose. Of dis
ability"
mo. he won't" replied Charlie
''I'm not sick"
''well. then. what's the matterT
AfnnAAAr ANhAAN NuNr lhHhNA ~ nAA@
ton, maid appeared. and he told her
to ask her mistress II she would honor
him with her presence. In few mo-
Tnents pretty woman OF about TWEEN.
ty-eight stepped Unto the room and
stood. so TO speak. at attention.
That's what's the matter" said
Charlie. 'Afrs Edgerton. permit me to
present one Of my most esteemed
brother Oficers. Colonel Brewster cali
ed sometimes y. Hoosfer by those who
love him. gentleman and soldier
every inch. Colonel, Mrs. Edgerton is
70 honor me with her hand. I retire
from the army into matrlmony."
could have beea knocked down
With a feather while all us fellows
had been galloping over the country to
prevent Being retired the big, good ma
tGned, winsone. sazy st. Clair had
dropped out oe ene race into the arms
ot ehasmIng widow and splendid
aorluae.
Narr NfcpQify9 ham taken pffV on