The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1909-02-18
The Presidents Ride


Charlie St. Clair came In with woe
begone expression on his face and,
throwing himself into an easy chair,
heaved deep sigh. Charlie was one
Of the handsomest men / ever knew
and withal the most loyable He and
| had been classmates and cbuns at
West Point. had served together In the
Spanish American war and were now
stationed at the same post.
whats up, Charlie?' l asked
! 1--WE been ordered 10 take the presi-
dents rider
well" ] said sympathetically don't
you think you'll be able 20 stand iti"
II know l won't"
Charlie was lazy-lazy on drill, lazy
In quarters, lazy in social life, lazy ev-
eiywhere except In battle. 1t required
a fight TO put energy into him, but It
did. His case always reminded me Of
a prominent Confederate general In
this-the general when an 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 Incidence under the
rattle of rifles and the boom of big
guns, besides becoming brave as a
lion
81 tell you what you do, Charlie" /
suggested-"p in all your time be-
tween now and the ride exercising.
Get off some Of your surplus flesh and
harden your muscles"
.Oh, I'm too bigr'
That told the story exactly. He was
big man. and the accumulation of
inertia had gst ahead of him. / per-
suaded 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 up in the morn
ing: He would eat anything be fancied.
In short, he wouldn't train. The con-
sequence was that when he started
on the ride he was sure to fail Ny
heart sank when we left for the start
Ing point. but | encouraged him so far
as possible. l was to take the ride
myself and hoped TO stimulate him.
| told him | might find way to pull
him through. but he shook his head
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
The sweat was rolling down his fat
ohaol-c apd he roS tho pfcfr,ra ~ nal
aacholy. We had gone over about half
the distance when. making an effort.
be spurred beside me. putting, Keeling.
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 found an order to go to France
to be present at the army maneuvers-
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 |
md wished me to go to him.
took train and. getting OF at the
nearest 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 |
lrmy. On reaching the house sent In
nv card and was ushered into his
Dom.
There sat Charlie In an easy chair,
by every luxury. putting
cigar. His color was the
lealthiest. and his flesh was his usual
20 pounds A white headed old lady
vent out of the room as l entered 1t
md left US alone together.
"I've sent for you. old man." he said,
to get me out of a hole. | haven't
'et been retired and am amenable to
military discipline. In fact, I'm here
Without leave l want you to go to
Washington and fix matters up for
me-"
I'm send surgeon to see you. He'll
i've you certificate, suppose, of dis
bility."
mo. he won't" replied Charlie
I'm not sick"
''WeTl, then, what's the matter"
Charlie reached out pushed a but
on. maid appeared. and he told her
D ask her mistress If she would honor
i'm with her presence, In a few mo-
lents a pretty woman Of about twen-
weight stepped into the room and
tocd, so to speak, at attention.
That's what's the matter" said
harlie Mrs Edgerton, permit me to
one of my most esteemed
rother officers. Colonel Brewster, call
d sometimes B. Rooster by those who
we him, gentleman and a soldier
very inch. Colonel. Mrs, Edgerton Is
, honor me with her hand. retire
-om the army into matrimony."
1 could have been Knocked down
IT'D feather While all US fellows
ad been gailoping over the country to
revent being retired the big, good ma +.
ired. winsome, lazy ST. Clair had {
ropped out of the race into the arms ,
, charming widow and splendid
,rtune.
Mrs. Edgerton had taken pity on