The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1917-05-18
THIS is the tale as 1t was told
1 by NJ. lie Capitaine Stack of the
Gendarmerie d'Haiu, second

THIS is the tale as it was told
by NJ. lie Capitaine Stack of the
Gendarmerie d'Haiu, second
lieutenant, U. S. NJ. c., con-
cerning lie cheval noir, un bette fameux
gu infame, according to the point of
view, which he did not ride at the
grand review in honor of the flotte de
guerre americaine. His language was
q mixture of United States, table-d'hote
French, and Creole, with which last
named dialect am less familiar than l
could wish, this being my first visit to
Haiti, but 1t was eloquent with grief,
and moved sympathetic audience al
most to tears.
Some four hundred feet up the side
of a mountain to the south and east
Of Port au Prince, NJ. lie President
Simon, of fragrant memory, had build
ed himself country house, and had
planted about 1t citrus fruits, coconuts,
tamarlnds, pomegranates, oleanders,
roses, ferns, and Towering shrubs and
vines of great and varied beauty; and
on the broad piazza was merry COM
pany, slipping, since your curiosity must
be completely satisfied, limonade avec
un tick, and admiring the wonderful
sight In the harbor, for every ship was
blaze Of light, and two-score Of
searchlights were dancing ragtime In
the skies. Capitaine Stack alone was
depressed, and refused to be comforted
by kind words and innocent beverage.
He was a profoundly disappointed
man. He seemed to place the blame
on Louis, his orderly, but on his de-
parture we resolved ourselves into
committee of the whole, and absolved
Louis Of all responsibility, holding,
however, that al rope-makers selling
their wares In this island should be
compelled to denaturize their material.
BeguIIed by Louis Smiles.
"Je ne comprendre pas" said Capt.
taine Stack, "why | selected Louis as
my orderly except that he is a beau
garcon, always smiling, and smiles
were at premium about that time,
while now the rate of exchange Is on
a fixed basis like the currency-flve
gourdes to the dollar. One day, while
he was busy pottering about the camp
doing nothing, called him over and
said: Louis, you my orderly, savvIeT
Parfaltement, mon Capltalne,' he re-
piled, 'merci beaucoup,' and that was
the last / saw Of him for several days.
| got rather accustomed to doing for
myself out West many years ago, and
managed the best | could, but really
Intended to speak severely to Louis
when he returned. He came in smil-
Ing, and | hadn't the heart to do 1t.
Me go find un fine gros chien for
watch dog, Louis explained, and while
| didn't see what use watch dog
would be in camp and there was moth
Ing about the animal to progresses
one In his favor, l accepted the dog
ana the explanation for what they
were worth, and told Louis to rub
down my horse.
aver NAL cheval said Louis next
after chow. No suit mon
Capituine, Me connals cheval noir
bette pour la militaire. Me
20 get Fact Is, my mount was a
wretch, although the best
could get for the allowance made by
headquarters, and having slittle
money ahead I was willing to invest
n something that would look decent
n town. This time Louis was gone
learly week, but when he did turn
Up, he had with him a good black
iorse, not broken to the saddle, and
showing too much of his ribs but I've
;een many good animal built up by
sound food and decent treatment, and
was willing to take II chance. (Non,
Louis didn't have u bill of
'ale for the horse, but didn't think
o ask him any questions.)
"Revenlr n mon mouton-I mean