Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1909-05-27


muscles. the expression of the faces,
were wonderfully realistic. The pic
ture represented the exact moment
when the federal officer, gaining a mo-
mentary advantage over his adver-
sary, was ending the fight by driving
his cleaning sword through the con
federate's body.
That painting said Col. Brant,
coming up behind Challoner and look
ing over his shoulder, lis no favorite
OF mine. 1t memories an episode in
my career as an army officer that |
would give worlds to forget. The art
list was an eyewitness of the scene,
and his portrayal is spoken of as the
work OF master. but | should have
destroyed the thing long ago If my sis
ter had not begged permission to keep
1t. My sister is Dorothy's Aunt Mary.
you know. She fully understands
that 1t is not to be displayed on the
wall when | am in the house. but
suppose this is case of forgetfulness
on her part"
He paused. but Challoner did not
speak or move. In a sorrowful voice.
the colonel continued.
THE picture is calculated to perpetu-
ate the memory of a most regrettable
affair AS you probably know, one of
the nastiest skirmishes of. the war
took place only FIVE miles from this
spot. Poplarville was in panic. But
we managed to beat off the enemy.
ana they were soon in full retreat.
with our boys in hot pursuit At the
very beginning of the chase the horse
ridden by the young colonel of rebel
regiment stumbled and fell. hap
pened to be close behind this man
when the accident occurred. and be-
iieying him to be badly hurt, | quickly
oismounted to render him such as.
sistance as | might. But apparently
he was not hurt at all. With veil
ne sprang to his feet and rushed upon
me with drawn sword. OF course. |
had to defend myself. Three times
during the fierce fencing that ensued 7
begged him to desist and avoid nm
necessary bloodshed Twice | was in
hairs breadth of being killed by his
skillful onslaught; but in the end
was victorious, and he fell. I intend
ed only to disable him, but. unfortu-
nately, my blade passed clear through
his body Six weeks he was in the
military hospital here before he
finally succumbed, and his body now
lies in the Poplarville cemetery. By
the way suddenly exclaimed the
colonel. his name was Challoner-.
Col. Challoner-the same name as
yours, | believe. My God, sir.
hope he was not relative--a-a-"
The words died on his lips. for at
that moment the younger man turned
slowly around and faced him. Richard
Challoner was pale as death. his
breath came In quick, excited gasps:
his eyes shone with fierce. vindic.
tive glare.
He was my fatherl' The words
fairly Kissed through his clenched
teeth. Il am Col. Challoner's son
And you were the man who killed him
--you-youl BY God, sir, you shall
answer to me for that act!"
Col. Brant was struck dumb with
horror.
My reason for coming to POPLAR.
Vile to begin my business career"
continued the young man, hoarsely
was because my father lay in your
cemetery here. l wanted to be near
him-to care for his grave. never
dreamed"
He broke off suddenly and seemed
to restrain himself by a strong effort
Then, with a quick, nervous gesture
he turned on his heel, and without
trusting himself to utter another
word, he strobe from the room. AT
the foot of the stairs he met Dorothy.
who was waiting for him. The sight
OF his white face and blazing ewes
startled her
Richard! Richard." she cried.
He brushed past her without an an
swering sign, took his hat from the
rack, and an instant later the hall
door closed behind him.
The day which custom has set aside
for the annual decoration of soldiers
graves dawned bright and beautiful
Popiarville was In holiday attire. The
air was freighted with the perfume of
flowers. the buildings were gay with
bunting, flags fioated at half-mast. and
the Poplarville band discoursed pa.
triouc music in the public square
Col. Lewiston Brant mingled with the
veterans of his post. and not a few
remarked his grave demeanor and the
unusual sadness that seemed to have
settled down upon him. Apparently
he had aged ten years in as MANY
hours. Col. Brant delivered his Memo.
rial day Grafton with an eloquenee
born of deep feeling and sincerity. He
moved all hearts by his simple touch
ing tribute to the heroes who had laid
down their lives in their country's de-
Tense. and closed with this an
neal.