Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-08-29


last night that the Warrior was to de-
part at daylight"
THAT was the plan. However, the
Wanderer went north during the
night" he explained, land brought
mail from below, so we are being held
for the return letters. am going up
to the Office now"
low.
You have some passengers aboard"
"A few; picked up several at the
lead mines, besides those aboard from
Prairie du Chen"
Evidently all of your passengers
are not miners, captain" ventured.
''Those two standing there at the
stern, for instance"
He turned and looked NO" he
said; "that big man is Judge Beau
caire, from Missouri. He has a plan
tation just above st. Louis, an old
French grant. OF course you know the
younger one."
'Never saw him before"
"Then you have never Travelled
much on the lower river. That's Joe
Kirby"
"Joe Kirby?"
Certainly; you must have heard of
him. First time l ever knew of his
drifting so far north, as there are not
many piclzings up here. Have rather
suspected he might be laying for Beau
caire, but the two haven't touched a
card coming down."
"He is gambler, thenT
"A thoroughbred; works between
ST. Louis and New Orleans. can't
just figure out yet what he is doing up
here. asked him fiat out, but he only
laughed, and he isn't the sort of man
you get very friendly with, some say
he has Indian blood in him, so 1 drop
ped it. He and the judge seem pretty
thick. and they may be playing in their
rooms. See you again before we
leave; am going up now to have a talk
with the major"
My eyes followed as he disappeared
within the open gates, a squatty
strongly built figure, the blue smoke
from his pipe circling in cloud above
his head. Then turned idly to gaze
once again down the river and observe
the groups lettering below.
Assuredly 1t was none of my affair
and yet a certain curiosity caused me
to observe the movements of the two
However, it was but a short while be
fore both retired to the cabin, anC
then my gaze returned once more tt
the sullen sweep of water, while my
thoughts drifted far away.
A soldier was within a few feet ot
me and had spoken before 1 was ever
aware of his approach.
Lieutenant Knox"
1 looked about quickly, recognizins
the majors orderly.
"Yes, Sanders, what is it?"
'Major Bliss requests, sir, that yol
report at his Office at once"
Wondering what might be desired O
me. yet with no conception of tn
reality, l followed after the orderl
through the stockade gate, and acros
the small parade ground toward tn
more pretentious structure occupies
by the officers of the garrison.
A number of soldiers off duty wer
lettering in front Of the barrack.
while small group of officers occu
pied chairs on the log porch of thei
quarters, enjoying the warmth of tn
sun. 1 greeted these as l passed, col
scious that their eyes followed me CT
riously as 1 approached the commar
dant's office. Major Bliss glanced u
at my entrance, with deep-set eye
hidden beneath bushy gray eyebrow
o his smooth-shaven face appearing a
J. most youthful in contrast with
wealth of gray hair.
"How long have you been here 8
e Armstrong, lieutenantT he que
!. toned, toying with an official-lookin
y paper in his hands.
? "Only about three weeks, sir.
= came north on the Enterprise, wit
It dispatches from General Gaines"
e "I remember; you belong to IL
<. Fifth, and without orders, prompt
If dragooned you into garrison service
i L
e. not hold you any longer. 1t seems vc
s have an application pending for fu
lie lough."
IS 'Yes, sir"
d. at is my pleasure to inform "
" that 1t has been granted-sixty day
ly with permission to proceed east. The
nj has been considerable delay evident
is in locating you"
to A sudden vision arose before me
ne my mothers face and of the old hon
IS among the hills as l took the pap
De from his extended hands and glanc
lis Mt the printed and written lines.
'"The date is a month ago."
W "That need not trouble you, KnC
a The furlough begins with this deli
rd cry. However, as l shall require yO
ot services as far as st. Louis, l sh;
ed date this acceptance from the time
er your arrival there"
III (which is very kind, sir"
"Not at all. You have proven
TN considerable assistance here, and
re shall part from you with regret.
X have letters for Governor Clark
nt- Missouri and Governor Reynolds
lie Illinois; also one to General Atkins
gh at Jefferson barracks, detailing
ed views on the present Indian situati,
RS, These are confidential, and l hesit;
We to intrust them to the regular m
lp- service. | had intended sending tn
ng- down river in charge of a noncomn
'ep stoned officer, but shall now util
d. your services instead-that is if )
nd, are willing to assume their care?"
ex- "Very gladly. of course"
~ thought us much. Each of tn
US is TO be delivered in person. Capt
ex- Throckmo1nn informs me- that he '