Times-promoter., 1909-01-15
THE President sRide

was Sitting III luJ QudIltAS Oue
evening after retreat when my friend
Charlie st. Clair came in with a woe
begone expression on his. face and,
throwing himself into. an easy chair,
heayed a deep sigh. Charlie was one
of the handsomest men l ever knew
and withal the most lovable. ne and
| had been classmates and chums at
West Point, had served together in the
Spanish-American war and were now
stationed at the same post.
whats up Charlie?" l asked.
"I've been ordered to take the presi-
dents ride"
"Well," said sympathetically "don't
you think you'll be able to stand it?"
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
fight to put energy into him, but it
did. His case always reminded me of
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.
Il tell you what you do, Charlie" I
ggested-"put 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 bigw
F. That told the story exactly. He was
a big man, and the accumulation Of
inertia had got 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 he fancied
! In short he wouldn't train. The con-
sequence was that when he started
on the ride he was sure to fail. My
heart sank when we left for the start
ing point, but I encouraged him so far
as possible / was to take the ride
myself and hoped to stimulate him.
I 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
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, reeling,
a blush white hue on his face, and
told me he was going to drop out. We
were riding past country place at
the time, and / saw him turn in at the
gate That was the last / saw Of him
on the ride.
On reaching my quarters the next
day found an order to go to France
| w UC p1CioCllt dL thC my o'
I 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 go to him.
took train and, getting off at the
nearest station, drove to the house,
prepared for 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 reaching the house / sent In
my card and was ushered into his
| room. ~
4 There sat Charlie In an easy chair
surrounded by every luxury, putting q
fragrant cigar. His color was the
healthiest, and his flesh was his usual
220 pounds. A white headed old lady
went out Of the room. as | entered II
and left us alone together.
"I've sent for you, old man." he said
ito get me out of hole. haven't
4 yet been retired and am amenable tc
military discipline. In fact, I'm here
without leave. want you to 60 *
Washington and fix matters up fol
4 me-"
i "I'll send surgeon to see you. Hell
1 give YOU certificate, suppose. Of dis
| ability"
4 .'No, he WON'T replied Charlie
aI'm not sick. '
"Well then, what's the matter?'
i Charlie reached out, pushed q but