The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1909-01-08
The PreSident' SRide

bcgCne expression on his race ana
throwing himself into an easy chair
hesNed deep sigh. Charlie was one
Of the handsomest men ever knew
and withal the most loyable. He and
had been classmates and chums at
West Point, had served together in the
Spanlsh-American war and were now
stationed at the same post.
whats up. Charlie?' asked
"Tve been ordered TO take the presi
dents ride"
"Well," said sympathetically, don't
you think you'll be able to stand itg'
Il know l won't"
Charlie was lazy-lazy on drill, lazy
In quarters, lazy in social life, lazy ey-
erywhere 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 aud the boom Of big
guns, besides becoming brave as a
lion.
Il tell you what you do. Charlie" I
suggested-"put In all your time be-
tween now and the ride exercising
Get on some Of your surplus flesh and
harden your muscles"
"Oh. I'm too big"
That told the story exactly. He was
a big man. and the accumulation OF
inertia had got ahead OF him. per
suaded him 10 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 he fancied
In short. he wouldn't train. The con
sequence was that when he started
on the ride he was sure 10 fail Ny
heart sank when we left for the start
ing point. but | encouraged him so far
/ as possible. | was 10 take the ride
myself and hoped TO stimulate him
told him | might find a way 10 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 be lost breath
The sweat was rolling down his fat
cheeks. and he was the picture Of mel
ancholy. We had gone over about half
the distance when, making an effort
he 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 I'm at the
gate. That was the last 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
was gone six weeks and on my re
turn received a note from Charlie say
ing that he had been unable TO leave
the house where he had taken refuge
and wished me TO 90 to him.
took a train and, getting of at the
nearest station, drove TO the house
prepared for a 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 as well as the
army. ON reacnng rne mouse l sent m
my card and was ushered into his
room.
There sat Charlie in an easy chair
surrounded by every luxury, putting
fragrant cigar. His color was the
healthlest, and his flesh was his usual
300 pounds. A white headed old lady
went ont Of the room as | entered ii
and left us alone together.
"I've sent FOR you. old man." he said
'to get me out Of a hole. haven't
yet been retired and am amenable 10
military discipline. In fact, I'm here
without leave. I want you to go 10
Washington and fix matters up for
me"
"rll send a surgeon TO see you Hell
give you certificate, suppose. OF dis
ability"
"No. he won't" replied Charlie
'rm not sick"
"Well. then. what's the matterT
Charlie reached out, pushed a but
ton. a maid appeared. and be told her
10 ask her mistress II ST. would honor
him with her presence. In few mo
ments a pretty woman OF about TWEEN.
ty-elght stepped into the room and
stood so to speak. at attention.
That's what's the matter said
Charlie "Mrs. Edgerton permit me 10
present one OF my most esteemed
brother officers. Colonel Brewster. call
ed sometimes b. Rooster by those who
love him, a gentleman and a soldier
every inch. Colonel, Mrs Edgerton Is
TO honor me with her hand. ! retire
from the army into matrimony."
I could have been knocked down
with a feather. While all US fellows
had been galloping over the country 7"
prevent being retired the big, good M
tured. winsome. lazy St. Clair had
dropped out Of the race into the arms
Of a charming widow and splendid
! fortune.
Mrs. Edgerton had taken pity on
poor st. Clair from the day he had rid
| A., nm 20 hop house and had given him
both meat and drink. Every day after
that he would say that he must be
gone, and the widow would say that
he was not yet recovered. Before be
was considered out Of danger he had
proposed to and been accepted by the
widow.
Since st. ClaIrs case has become
known eli the unmarried officers OF
the army wish TO take the presidents