THE OMAHA PAIL * BEE ; SUNDJ& , MAY 27 , 18JM-TWENTY PAGES. 19
CHASE OFTI1ESLAVER "CORA' '
The Last Slave Bhip Captured by the United
States.
700 HUMAN CHATTELS IN THE HOLD
One of the True Jlomnncrd of tlie Sen Told
liy tlm Commander of the
"C'oniitrllatlon" A Ic f
from the 1'ast.
One of thone true romance ! of the * ? a
that put to the blush the beat effort * of a
Captain Marryat , a Fcnlmore Cooper , or a
Clark Ilussell , was the chase and capture of
the American slave ship Cora by the
United Stated steamer Constellation.
The Cora wa a stanch bark , freighted
with no Iras than 720 slaves , and she was
commanded by a bold , resolute and re
sourceful man. At the time of the capture
the captain Rave his name as Campbell , and
claimed that he was an English subject , and
merely a passenger on the bark. Dy
Masonic friend-tup he managed to escape
from the Constellation at St. Paul dc
Loando , and In after years he met the
young naval officer who was detailed to
command thu prize. Then ho was a painted
and spangled performer In a circus , the cele
brated clown , William B. Donaldion , and he
confessed that this was his real name. Says
his captor "He had been sailor , lounger
and pseudo-gentleman of leisure on Broad
way , negro minstrel , clown , slave captain
perhaps the list had better be closed , but he
had a faithful , generous heart. He wa a
bravo man even though a statutory pirate. "
The Cora was the last slave ship captured
by the United States and the young officer
who played so prominent a part In the aflutr
was Lieutenant Wllburn Hall. As soon as
Lieutenant Hall , who was In command of
the Cora , landed his prize In New York , he
cast his fortunes with the confederacy. After
serving through the civil war he became
one of the American staff , officers on tha
staff of the khedlve of Egypt. He Is now
the American consul at Nice.
Major Hall has written a graphic account
of the chase and capture of the Cora for the
May number of the Century. An extract
from his story follows :
In President Monroe's administration the
United States and Great Britain by treaty
agreed to maintain each a squadron carrying
at least eighty guns , on the African coast ,
to suppress the slave trade , which to that
time had received no real check. Each na
tion could search and might capture the
merchant vessels of either , upon proof which
satisfied the naval officer of the violation of
the laws. In point of fact , while this right
was occasionally used by British men-ot-
war , still they seldom exercised It against
American vessels , and It became almost the
rule that American men-of-war should per
form the duty. This fact came about because -
cause the slave trade was largely carried on
by American vessels. And strange as It
may seem , by way of parenthesis , the
American vessels were Invariably fitted out
and despatched from northern ports , only
one In many years Immediately preceding
the war having southern ownership the
schooner Wanderer , which landed slaves en
the coast of Georgia ; but these slaves wore
at once gathered In by the United States
government and sent back to Africa on
the atcam frigate Niagara.
Engaged in thin duty the Constellatlop was
cruising on the African coast , the men find
ing relaxation only at long Intervals In a
short rest at Madeira or the Canaries ; or
perhaps on one of the islands In the Blcht
of Benin. After one of these cruises , when
off the Ambrlz river , near the Congo , in
August , 18CO , the calm gave way to a re
freshing breeze and the Constellation , with
all squaresall to royals , had just shaped her
course for St. Paul do Loando. It was about
7 p. m. , the sea was calm as a floor and a
beautiful moon lit the waters with a splendor
rarely seen. The crew and officers were allen
on deck , enjoying the refreshing change.
Songs were heard forward , messenger boys
jrero skylarking In the gangways , officers
were pacing the lee quarterdeck. Suddenly
.from the foretop sail yard rang out the cry :
"Sail ho ! "
Instantly laughter ceased , songs ended ,
men Jumped to their feet all was now ex
pectancy. "Where away ? " came sharply
through the speaking trumpet from the of
ficer of the deck. "About one point for'ard
of the weather beam , sir. " Every eye
caught the direction Indicated. Sure
enough , bright and glistening In the re
flected moonlight , the sails of the stranger
wore seen , hull down , with the upper parts
of the courses In view.
Lieutenant Hall describes the alacrity and
bustle with which all of the officers and
men of the Constellation sprang to their
posts as the steamer started to overhaul
the brig :
Soon the ship was dashing along on the
Jtarboard tack with royals and staysails
drawing. This evolution brought the chase
on our weather beam. The Constellation
was a remarkable sailer by the wind , and
lew ships were ever known to equal her
when everything was braced sharp
up and bowlines taut. The yards
were now so sharp up that she
ran nearer than the usual six
points to the wind. In ho lone time the
courses of the stranger began to rise , show
ing the gain we were making ; and In an
hour she was nearly hull up. It was as
clear aa day , but the light was that wonder
fully soft light which the moon gives only
in the tropic * . The stringer's sails were as
tvhlte In that light as , a packet handker
chief. The breeze had freshened so that we
were running at least nine knots. Men had
been sent aloft to wet down the topsails , and
every thread was stretched with Its duty ,
the leeches of the topsail just quivering. At
this time a gun from our weather bow wa >
jre ( ] a signal for the stranger to heave to.
but on slio sped , silent us a dream. Wo
could now plainly sec through the glasses
that there was not a light about the ship , a
most significant sign. Another gun was
fired. As the white smoke came pouring
over our Meek wo lost sight of the chase ,
but as It was swept to leeward , there the
ran silent and glistening , with no tack or
sheet started. Suspicion now amounted al
most to a certainty that wo had a slave ship
at hand.
Our distance was yet to great to reach her
with a shot. Soon her Jib fluttered , her bow
Bwung to the .wind , the main-yards were
hauled altogether she seemed to turn upon
her very heel , and with the quickness , and
almost the precision , of a man-of-war she
had gene on the other tack , hoping , doubt
less , to beat to windward. The Con
stellation followed ! her movement , and again
flrpd a gun. We were both doing our ut
most , and the two ships cut the brilliant
waters on an apparently even course ; but
tha Constellation was gaining. Nothing
could prevent our overtal * the chase ,
unless a sudden squall should arise. This ,
poMlbly , was the stranger's hope. Again
and again she tacked ship * wo followed like
Fate Itceir. About 11:30 : we had the fleeing
vessel within long range , and began a steady
flro from one or two guns , shotted , and full
of command. The orders wpro to fire at
her upper spars , as all were now convinced
that the hull was filled with slaves.
The slaver was well on our starboard bow.
Mr. Fairfax called mr to go with him on the
gun deck , where we ran two heavy 32' out
to our brldlo ports ready for a chase dead
ahead , which soon occurred. I was directed
to carry away the upper spars and rigging ,
and under no circumstances to hit tlif ves
sel's hull ! "Aim high and ninke your mark , "
lie continued , I touched my cap and smiled ;
It was bo like the admonition of an ambi
tious mother to her son. Soon one gun was
sending round-shot whirling through the
rigging.
Suddenly our attention was attracted by
dark objects on the water ahead of
us. The slaver was lightening ship
by throwing overboard casks , span , and
even spare munis. The sea appeared
a * If filled with wreckage In a long
tine. All at once boats were seen. "They
we filled with negroes , " I heard tame one
cry on deck. "Stetdy on your course , " I
heard the flag officer shout on thu fore
castle Juit above ray head. Sure enough
they were boats , and as we sped they
leomod to bo coming swiftly to us. My
heart beat with quick emotion BS I thought
I saw them crowded with human forms.
Men on deck about * * ! that 'hoyxeio
crowded with people , but we swept by , passIng -
Ing them rapidly The slaver hoped we
would stop to pU'k up his boats , and thui
Cln more time , but this ruse made us even
juore eager. Now , our guns redoubled , vro
knew the end ratut come noon , but there
seemed no way to stop the chaie without
sinking her , and humanity forbade a shot
In her hulj. Her captain realized the situa
tion , but even then his courage w wonder
ful.
ful.On
On we went. Suddenly I Raw her course
begin to change ; she was coming to wind
ward her studding sails came fluttering
down , her skysalls and royals were clewoc
up , her foresail also , And a * she rounded
up to the wind and backed her malntoptall
the Constellation had barely time to get In
her canvas , and round to under her main-
topsail , scarcely 200 yards to windward
"Away there , first cutters' , away ! " called
the boatswain's mates , u their shrill
whistle * ceased.
I had barely time to get on deck , after
the guns had been secured , before I saw
the first cutter , with our gallant flrst lieu
tenant ( himself a * the boarding /officer / ,
speeding like an arrow to the ves
sel , her oars scattering sparkling diamonds
mends of phosphorescent water v 'hey rose
and fell. Every officer and man was lean
ing over our low hammock-rails , breath
lessly waltfng and watching. We saw the
cutter round up to the gangway. "In
bows ; way enough ! " we could hear Fairfax
say distinctly , though his orders were low.
Then came the rattling- the oars s they
were tossed , and the grating of the cutter
alongside.
Fairfax's active figure could be seen
quickly mounting the side , and then he
disappeared as he leaped over the gangway
Into the waist. For two or three minutes
the stillness was painful. One could hear
men breathing In their excited anxiety.
Suddenly there was a hall , In tones which
I can recall as If heard today clear , dis
tinct and manly : "Constellation , ahoy !
You have captured a prize with over 700
slaves. "
For a second the quiet still prevailed , and
then the crew forward of the mainmast
spontaneously gave three loudringing cheers ,
Only the sanctity of the quarter deck pre
vented the officers from Joining , but they
shared the feelings of the crew. Aside
from the natural feeling which success
In a chase brings , there was large prlre
money In prospect , for In every such capture -
turo tne law divided among officers and men
a sum equal to half the value of the ship
and her outfit , and an additional sum of
$25 for each slave captured , amounting In
this case to at least $30,000. To a practical
mind there was reason for cheering. The
prize , however , was not surrendered by her
captain , but by the crew , who in terror of
our guns hove-to the vessel.
It was about 2 a. m. when , by order of the
flag officer , I went on board the slaver with
a prize crew , consisting of nine men all told ,
one being a negro servant.
The deck was covered with articles of all
kinds , which were to have been cast over
board to lighten the ship. The crew could
only be seen as called to me. They were
a fPt of cutthroats bearded , dark-looking ,
scowling Spaniards and Portuguese , not
a native American among them.
The slaves were nearly all on the
slave deck , shouting and screaming In
terror and anxiety. I leaned over the main
hatchway holding a lantern , and the writh
ing mass of humanity , with their cries and
struggles , can only be compared in one's
mind to the horrors of hell as pictured in
former days. But I paid dearly for that
tight. The sickening stench from hundreds
of naked beings crowded Into a space so
small , In so warm a climate , without ventila
tion , was frightful. Overcome by horror at
the sight and smell , I turned faint and sick
at heart , and hastened to the stern.
THE COLONEL'S "lATEST VICTORY.
A Story for Memorial Day.
He , Colonel Swordsley , had entered the
civil war as a mere lieutenant , but he had
fought so well and so persistently , remain
ing alive while officers above him were killed
by dozens , that when the great conflict ended
he wore a silver eagle on each shoulder.
His friends Insisted that If the fighting
had lasted a few months longer Swordsley
would have been made a brigadier-general.
Be that as It may , when he was mustered
out at the close of the war he carried into
civil life with him. In addition to a high
military reputation , a dignity and a mustache
which were the envy of all of his subalterns.
Such of his friends as were In business
hesitated to offer anything so small as a
clerkship to a fellow who carried himself
with the air of a man who should have an
Immense establishment of his owu to man
age.
age.Sometimes
Sometimes bis periods of leisure were so
long that observing persons told one an
other that Colonel Swordsley really ought to
marry. If only to have some one to telt him
when his coat and hat were becoming
shabby. Suddenly , however , he would make
a modest , yet quick and brilliant hit , in the
way of business , always honestly , and finally ,
his habit of suddenly recovering himself ,
while the details of each operation became so
Interesting that his acquaintances fell into
alluding to them in about the same form of
words :
"Have you heard of the colonel's latest ? "
There came a year , however , inwhich the
question was scarcely asked ; Instead of it ,
male gossips wondered to one another
whether the colonel might not be losing his
grip.Had
Had not winter come to his assistance and
brought his faithful and indestructible army
overcoat to the front again , he would
scarcely have dared to appear In the streets
by daylight.
As coon as the warm weather succeeded
the winter of the colonel's discontent , the
ex-warrior hastened to a summer resort
near which he had made quite a hit the
year before by building a temporary bridge
In n very few days , earning a large premium
for each day saved from the specified time of
construction.
The so-called Improvement company for
whom he had done the work bad been gen
erous of praise as well as of payment , and
expressed the hope that the colonel would
be within call should they ever again get
Into a hole , and as the colonel started for
the locality a second time he could not help
hoping , without wishing harm to any one ,
that p. hole would be ready when he reached
his Journey's end.
At the little summer hotel to which ho
had gone that year when he built the.bridge ,
he met Miss Miriam Coynbee , the flrst
woman who had ever given his heart any
serious uneasiness. Although not a marry
ing man , he was quite fond of women , and
so deferential that any girl who wus ac
quainted with him would cheerfully go whole
city squares out of her way to receive a
bow from the colonel.
Miss Coynbee , however , was no mere
pretty girl ; she was a handsome woman ,
with a great deal of heart , which she was
just old enough to display on proper occa
sion without running any risk of losing It
or having It stolen , and the colonel had felt
so honored by her acquaintance and her
manner toward him that he felt It a mat
ter of honor to make a pllgrlmago to the
jilaco where he had met her.
There was no likelihood that he would meet
her again , for she was practically the nurse
of an Invalid mother , who seldom could en-
duru any summering place two years In
succession.
The colonel had spent many winter hours
In cursing the carelessness of habit which
had kept him from accumulating money , for
had ho possessed a moderate competence he
would have proposed to Miss Coynbee pro
posed even had he been almost sure of re
jection , for even to be rejected by so glorious
a creature would have been an honor.
He knew that she would have listened
kindly , that her great , dt-ep eyes would
have seen his heart's honesty , and that her
handsome , sympathetic face would have
been full of tenderness even had she said
'no. "
The colonel was so poor when ho made his
second trip that the "valuables" which he
deposited In the safe of the little Inn con
sisted of only money enough to pay the fixed
charges of a fortnight and take him back
to the city.
Ho had brought cigars enough to last
through his stay ; he had about $10 in his
pocket , and , as he had stopped drinking , he
[ elt sure of a fortnight of peace. After
that well , he did not know what might
happen. If only that improvement company
might on re more be In a hole ?
Hut thp company was In no such condi
tion ; It had sold a great many villa sites ,
the landlord of the Inn told the colonel , and
had reached the dignity of having an en
gineer of Its own.
Not everything wai disappointment , how
ever , for thft host also told the colonel that
the Conybees had returned to him , the old
lady having bought ome of the improve
ment comjiany'i stock and preferred to ba
when she could think herself looking alter
her own Interests.
Tb colonel liad A long aal delightful
chat with Miss Coynbco that very evcnlni
a chat 80 delightful that when he retlrct
to his own room he abused himself for hal
an hour In language which he woulcln1
bare endured from any one else for half a
minute.
From swearing be changed suddenly t
praying and solemnly promised heaven
that thereafter. If he might hive anotlie
chance In the world , ho would be Industrl
ous , methodical and saving until he fcl
justified In niklnir the woman of all women
to let him debt all of life's battles for her
Mtwoen tha Intensity of his profanity
and protestation the colonel became so ex
cited that he passed a restless night , am
wan on the hotel piazza by sunrise. II
found his host having a difficulty with n
spirited saddle-horic.
"Fact Is , " said the landlord , "the season's
been so cold and wet that there's been
hardly anybody here and the horses haven'
been used any to speak of , and they're BO
full of oats and spirits that I'm afraid to
let a guest use them. "Twouldn't do my
business any good to have somebody thrown
and brought In with a broken leg or
scratched faces"
"I wish , " said the colonel , as he looket
the horse over with a professional eye , "that
I had some of my old cavalry horses here
They'd cure your horses In short order , am
not harm them any , either. "
"I wish to goodness you bad , " was the
reply. "But , say , colonel , don't you ride
your/elf any more ? Last year you com
plained that I couldn't give you a borso
with any spirit * In him , now , here's the
very beast you're looking for , and If you'll
ride him all you like It won't cost you a
cent and I'll say 'Thank you' besides. Of
course I don't expect a guest to train my
horser down for me , but this particular
tnlmal would make you feel like old times
I've got a military saddle , too ; I remember
that you didn't like ordinary saddles lait
year. "
The offer was just to the colonel's taste.
A long dash somewhere , anywhere , would
perhaps dispel his blues and brace him up ;
so promising to try thejxnlmal after break
fast he entered the dining room , where ho
was greeted by a grinning waiter , who re
membered him and placed him at a table
beside * Miss Coynbee.
"Oh , colonel ! how delightful and unex
pected ! Mother , you remember Colonel
Swordsley ? "
In half an hour the colonel was deeper In
love than ever. He silently renewed lit !
vows of the night before , but he also looked
the situation honestly In the face , told him
self that he was destitute of everything ex
cept hope and determination , and there
fore the honorable thing was to retire in
good order and thereafter make such dem
onstrations as courtesy might require.
But the colonel , like many another sol
dier of approved valor , had neglected to
think of what might be done on the other
side. Miss Coynbee left the table with
him , walked to the piazza , and heard the
landlord remark :
"Here he Is , colonel Just dying to get
away with you and have a grand old time. "
"Oh , colonel , " Miss Coynbee exclaimed.
"You hicky man ! Off for a long ride , of
course ? "
"Yes , " replied the ex-warrior , lengthening
a stirrup leather , "and I heartily wish I
could ask you to Join me. Unfortunately ,
our host says that all of his horses are too
frisky Just now to be safe. "
"Colonel , " whispered the landlord , loud
enough for Miss Coynbee to hear , "If you'd
like to have the lady with you she may have
my wife's pony , which has been used every
day for a month. I'd trust my youngest
child with It. "
The colonel thought of the resolution
which had hurried him away from the
breakfast table , and also of the small amount
of money in his pocket. Were he to take
Miss Coynbee out this morning he would
be bound In honor to ask her afterward.
He had no banker , he hated debt , he had
no remaining assets , for the winter's stress
had borne heavily upon him. On the other
hand , to have Miss Coynbee at hU side
He looked at her , raised his hat , and asked :
"Won't you do me Uie honor ? "
"Nothing would please me more I shan't
keep you waiting five minutes , " was the re
ply as the lady hurried away to dress for
the ride.
Ten minutes afterwards the couple seemed ,
to the colonel , to be as far from the hotel
as If they never had seen It. They talked
of everything , like well bred people , ex
cept the subject nearest the colonel's heart ,
and meanwhile they rode farther and farther
from the inn.
Miss Coynbee succeeded In luring the col
onel Into conversation about the war , which
seemed an unending subject of interest to
persons who had nothing to do with it , and
In some way the colonel had got upon the
subject. Incomprehensible to the civilian
mind , of the wide gulf which separated offi
cers from the men In the ranks.
"The truth Is , my dear Miss Coynbee ,
said the colonel , "tho private soldier ,
although a man , with feelings and rights
like other men , must be regarded in war
as a mere machine. I always saw to It
that my men were as well fed and otherwise
cared for as the government would allow ,
and I never allowed any of them to be sub
jected to"unjust treatment , but as to recog
nizing them as Individual human beings
why , 'twas simply impossible , and I never
attempted it. "
"How strange ! " murmured Miss Coynbee.
"It seems positively Inhuman. "
"Relieve me from that suspicion , please , "
said the colonel. "The distinction is en
tirely military , you know. In the abstract ,
I know a number of my men were at heart
very much like me. for they were born
farmers' sons , and I was born on a farm
myself. "
Miss Coynbee looked sldewlse and curi
ously at her escort. She had seen many
young mtn from farms some of them very
line fellows , too. but none 'of them had the
dignity , the style , the effective manner of
the colonel.
The colonel was oblivious to what was goIng -
Ing on beside htm. The force of old habit
always made him scan the road In front cf
him , and while Miss Coynbee had wondered
he had been greatly puzzled by a group of
people in the roadway near a house about
a mile distant. Finally he said :
"It's very strange , but If we were any
where but on a country road I should In
sist that a brass band was In front of the
house yonder the one nearest us. "
"A brass band ? Why , the nearest town
must be several miles distant. I chance to
know the geography of this country pretty
well , liavo assisted mother somewhat in her
now business Interest. "
"It certainly is a band and a hearse and
a flag. H'm. A military funeral ; that Is
the funeral of some one who has been a
soltller. "
"Indeed ? To think that the war made Us
Influence felt In an out-of-the-way country
like this. "
"My dear Miss Coynbee , " said the colonel ,
"I often think It was most felt in Just such
places. Soldiers' wives , mothers , Bisters ,
sweethearts suffered more than the soldiers
themselves. "
' "Tls very generous of you to say so ,
colonel. "
"Not , generous , my dear madam ; merely
Just. "
The paces of the horses were quickened ,
while the colonel admitted confidentially
to Miss Coynbee that , although It might be
very undignified , he never could see any
mltatlon of a military ceremony without
laving his heart stirred by remembrance of
old times.
It certainly was a very shabby Imitation
which the colonel saw when ho and Miss
Coynbee stepped In front of the house and
the old soldier raised his bat an Instant in
ecognltlon of the veteran who had gone
ilgher than he. The bouse was very fmall
and plain ; evidently the owner had been
among the poorest of his class.
A few neighbors , who also looked poor ,
stood near the hearse ; evidently they had
ust placed the remains therein. A woman
n dingy black looked furtively from a win
dow , and several children stood about look-
ng clean , frightened and uncomfortable.
) ne of the neighbors seemed to be quarrelIng -
Ing vJth the leader of the band.
"I leave it to this gentleman , " exclaimed
he man of music , who had noted the
colonel's approach , "whether it ain't an In-
ernal shame. We've tramped four miles
out here , supposing the engagement was fair
and square , and now we Qnd that we're to
; et only the walk for our pains , I'll take
he law on you for false pretences or trying
o swindle , or something. "
"Don't , mister , please , " pleaded the fanner ,
'It's Jest as I tell ye honest. I heerd time
an' agin that the gov'ment paid for the band
when an old soldier had to be burled , an *
s'poaed I was doln' the proper thing in
eendln' for ye , "
"And after making such a fool blunder
you're not man enough to make It right and
pay the bill , eh ? "
"How'm I goln' to pay when I ain't got
nothiii' can't even pay my taxeil 'Tatn't u
el 1 was rloi ; we're all dreadful poor folks
atong thl * ridge bad " , land , fur from town "
" 'Tentlon , men ! " exclaimed the leader.
"I'd take the risk- off playing and suing for
the money , but It doesn't appear that th
Judgment could ever t be collected. Let'
tramp back home ; what do you say ? "
The band admitted ; that there seetnei
nothing else to do , , Jtlii Coynbee , who ha
been looking at the woman In black behlni
the window , murmured ;
"Oh. colonel I Don't lot them go ! Looto
at that widow and , the children. "
The colonel turned ; pale. There was bu
ono way to keep the' ' band ; he had but Jl
In his pocket ; he tj'ilght give his word am
his card , writing at once to the city to bor
row the money , but tb run Into debt with
out the probability of lielng able to pay In a
long time , was too awful to think of , even
to please Miss Coynbee.
"Do keep them ! " begged the lady. IT
cheerfully pay them rather than the pee :
fellow shan't have a military funeral. "
"If they arc to bo retained the expense
must be mine , " the colonel replied , feeling
very much na he did during his flrst charge ,
"but" oil , lucky thought ! "they'll demand
from cither of us a price which will be a
shameful Imposition , and , which on prlncl
pie , we shouldn't endure. "
"I wouldn't play now , " said the leader o :
the band , shaking bis flst at the farmer who
waft the Innocent and stupid cause of all
the trouble , "If you offered me double my
price. 'Tentlon , men ! Forward , march 1"
"Tho brutes ! " exclaimed Miss Coynbee , as
the band marched away. As for the colonel
he felt so grateful , and also so mean , at
being relieved of responsibility In the affair ,
that ho explained that It really was a matter
of business with the musicians , who probably
were feeling quite as disappointed as the
family of the deceased veteran.
He turned his horse's head , and was about
to take the road again , when he ventured
upon a question of mere curiosity , saying tea
a farmer who had sidled up to look over the
saddle horses :
"Your friend was a private soldier , " I sup
pose ? "
"Private ? No , sir ! " was the reply. "He
was a coppyra' "
As the colonel explained , with a con
temptuous smile , that Miss Coynbee would
have seen but little difference between the
two grades had she known the army , the
farmer hurried toward the hearse , took from
It something In a frame and returned with
It , saying :
"Ye needn't take my word for It , but Just
look at that. "
The colonel extended his hand carelessly ;
ho wanted to be respectful to the dead In
all circumstances , even to the remains of
one who had been merely a corporal , but
really this was no affair of his.
The frame contained a "warrant" the
form of certificate given by regimental com
manders to non-commissioned officers , yet
as the colonel's eye fell on the f.imtllar form
Miss Coynbee exclaimed :
"Why , colonel ! What can be the mat
ter ? "
"Matter ? Oh , nothing. I beg that you'll
excuse me , my dear madam. If I forgot my
self for an Instant , but the truth Is , the
deceased IB one of my own man. I don't
remember him , but this warrant bears my
signature written nearly twenty years
ago. "
"Oh , colonel ! And the band Is gone ! "
"Can't any of his friends play fife and
drum ? " the colonel asked impatiently.
"When I was a boy there was somebody on
almost every farm who blew a flute or fife ,
and a drum could b found somewhere. "
"There's an old drum over to my house
that I used to hammer on when I was
younger an' the Fourth come 'round. " the
farmer replied , "but sence the big war the
Fourth o' July aln'tjas much of a day as It
used to be. As for d'flfe , Jim that's him In
the coffin there hej'was ' the only feller in
these parts that covjld blow one. He could
blow It good , too , but I s'pose It wouldn't be
fair to expect hlmj'to play for his own
fun'ral. " ! ' .
"But you at leasticin get your drum , my
friend , and pay hlnv.tbe tribute of respect
which he would have most wanted. Ex
cuse my earnestness'in an affair which
may not seem to concern me , but the truth
Is , I was his I was In the army , too , and
know how "
"Yass , I heerd what you said to your gal
thar , 'bout Jim's bcln' one of your own
men. I alluz understood him , though , that
his capt'n got killed/ * -
"Captains In the Fortieth were frequently
killed , " said the colonel with a grim smile.
"Do hurry home- , though , and get your
drum ; I'll engage to find a flfer , somewhere.
Is the corporal's fife In the house would
the family allow some other person to use
It ? "
"I reckon they'd be mighty glad they
know ho always wanted the nash'nal airs
played over him when he was gone , an'
the flag put over his coffin. We borryed a
flag , an' we s'posed we'd got the music , but
I dunne where you'll git a fifer. "
"Get your drum get mo the flfe , and I'll
see what can be done. My dear Miss Coyn
bee , I beg you'll excuse what must seem to
you a most extraordinary Interest In what
remains of a fellow whom I can't remember
to have ever seen , but as he was one of my
' have had much
men and doesn't seem to
but poverty and children since he left the
service , and "
"No excuses are necessary , colonel , lour
sentiment dots you credit. Perhaps while
you are looking to the affair I may be able
to say a comforting word to the widow. "
So saying , Miss Coynbeo slipped from her
horse and entered the house , while the
colonel , with a desperate look on his face ,
tied both horses to the fence and asked once
more for the deceased corporal's fife. The
Instrument was brought , and the colonel
asked :
"Is It possible that none of you gentlemen
ever played the flfe. flute , piccolo or
flageolet ? The fingering is the same In all
these Instruments. "
"Guess nobody's ever done It , " one of the
farmers answered , after aii the others had
looked Inquiringly at one another.
"Can't you remember any one within two
or three miles who can play ? I'll ride after
him and bring him. "
There was a general shaking of heads in
the negative. The colonel set his teeth ,
started toward the barn and growled :
"Never mind ; I'll find some one.
"Wonder who he knows over that way ?
asked one of the bystanders as the entire
group sauntered to the corner of the house
and followed the stranger with their eyes.
The colonel went behind the barn , laid
aside his dignity , brushed his mustache
upward from his lip and raised the flfe to
ils mouth. , . ,
It was Just as he had supposed ; he had
not forgot the fingering and mouthing of
he Instrument which had helped him while
away many lonesome hours when he was a
He practiced softly several moments until
the inner surface of the flfo became moist
and the notes came clearly. 1 hen he re
called the national airs and several dead
marches to which he had often been obliged
o listen , and he rehearsed them all.
When he returned ito the house the man
with the drum was /there. Mlsa Coynbeo
came to the door and asked :
"Did you succeed , ! colonel ? ' The old
soldier looked some.wbat shame-faced as
10 replied :
"I did , my dear madam , if the man has
your permission to play. "
"My permission ? "
"My dear Miss Coynbee. If you'll allow ,
'II waive my rank and be the flfer. It Is .
horribly Irregular , I know , but when you
ome to think of it , the war Is over and I
in a civilian , and the corporal wai one of
my own men , and "
Miss Coynbee's eyes filled as she replied :
"Colonel , you're Indeed a hero. "
"Thank you , " said the colonel , averting
ils face. Then ho Burned to the group of
men and said : "Gentlemen , at a trooper's
uneral it Is customary to have a saddled a
erse follow the hearse. Fortunately , my
erse has a militarysaddle. Will one of
ou kindly lead him ? "
The friends of the deceased contended for
tie honor.
"la the cemetery far ? " whispered the
olonel to the man with the drum.
"Lens'n mile , " was the reply.
"I'll guide you. "
Then the colonel turned his head , forgot
imsolf an Instant , and asked :
"Is the command ready ? Forward
march , " after which he recovered quickly
nd began to play a dead march , as doleful a
s any dead man's friend * could desire ; in
he meantime the colonel devoutly prayed
liat no other people from the hotel had
trayod in that direction that morning.
As for Miss Coynbee , she was a noble
woman , and he was sure he could pledge
ler to secrecy , but what would his friends
n the city think -were they to bear of his
xtraordlnary conduct ?
HU dlstresi of mind was somewhate alle-
lated by the execrable work of the drum-
ner , who evidently was long out of prao-
Ice ; nevertheless the colonel wai gl d when
be little cemetery was reached cad. be
stood at the head of the crave and rested
while the coffln was taken from the hearse.
Then he Raw thr.t Miss Coynbee , the one
woman In the world , had tramped that
du y mile with the other followers. There
teemed nothing Irregular to her In the pro
ceedings , and the colonel became his dig
nified self as he tnw her , as handsome and
noble as his Idea of the angel of the resur
rection , place her arm around the dingy ,
common looking widow and draw her to the
side of the grave , and then drop her shapely
head a little and whisper , probably , word *
nf consolation.
The Interment was quickly made , preceded -
ceded by a prayer from one of the men ,
then every one looked expectantly at thp
oslonel , and one man finally remarked :
"Jim alluz said he wanted the naih'nal
air played over him when he was burled. "
The colonel responded , flrst whispering to
the other musician that a drum did not har-
monlzo with any of them but "Yankee
Doodle , " with which he would conclude.
At last the ordeal was over. The colonel
walked back to the house of mourning , leadIng -
Ing his horse , for Miss Coynbee was Etlll
afoot and trying to comfort the widow.
With all possible hatte the colonel got
her away from the scene of so much that
had been unexpected when the morning
ride began.
As they took the road again and the colonel -
onel raised his hat to the mourners and
friends one of the farmers shouted : "Three
cheers for him ! " and the response was qulto
noisy for so tmall n party. The colonel
acknowledged the salute and the-j exclaimed :
"Trot , march I beg pardon , my dear
Miss Coynbee , but I seem to have lost my
head this morning through the very unusual
Incidents of the past hour or two. I as
sure you "
"Colonel. " Interrupted Miss Coynbee with
the grandest , most womanly expression that
the colonel had ever seen even In her face ,
"you are the greatest man I ever met. You
have lifted me entirely out of my little
world taken me so far out of It that I wish
I might never be obliged to go back Into It. "
The soldier felt prouder a thousand times
prouder than when he had received his
colonel's commission , although It had seemed
to him that day that hrs head was In the
heavens and his feet did not touch the earth.
That woman's approval , he told himself ,
should make a god , almost , of any man.
Then a daring impulse hurried from his
heart to his lips , and he said :
"My dear Miss Coynbee. If I am to blame
for taking you out of your own world , may
I beg of you to come Into mine and remain
there forever ? "
The woman flushed only the least bit eho
was too earnest-hearted that morning to bn
startled by anything. She looked fearlessly
Into the colonel's eyes and replied :
"I will ; here's my hand on It , with the
understanding that you've the right to change
your mind. Our acquaintance of last season
was only a month long. "
"But I've had you In mind a whole year
since , " the colonel explained. "On the other
band , you also shall be free to change , and
have ample time In which to do It , for I
shouldn't have spoken so hastily , being a
very poor man. I must blame the unusual
events of the morning "
"I must thank them , " said Miss Coynbee ,
"so no one else shall blame them. I'll wall
forever for you , If necessary. "
But she didn't. A wide-awake , well-to-do ,
warm-liearted woman of 30 years Isn't sdnsr
to watt any longer than she likes for her
wedding day. Miss Coynbee's mother's holdIngs -
Ings of the Improvement company's stock
were used to make a place In the company
for the colonel , and there was a wedding In
the following autumn.
"Who is that remarkably handsome
woman ? " asked a new member of the club
one day of an old member , as the two passed
Mrs. Colonel Svvordsley in the street.
"She ? Oh. that's the colonel's latest-
Colonel Swordsley's. "
"Latest ? I thought he hadn't married un
til recently. "
"Oh , did you never hear the story ? Well"
and he repeated It ad it was told to me.
PUFFING FOR T PBIZE.
Two Hears Struggle for the Smoking
ClmmpioiiHhlp In Ilcrlln.
A smoking match was given recently by
the Giftnudel Smoking club In Its rooms in
Manteuffel" street , Berlin , says the Tage-
blatt. The prize was a solid silver cigar
case and 200 cigars. The entrance fee was
SI , and the conditions were that the con
testants should smoke only the cigars pro
vided at the expense of the club , and should
remain in plain view of the referee as long
as they were competing for the prize , no con
testant being allowed to take food , drink or
medicine during the match. The prize waste
to be given to the contestant who
smoked down to one-Inch butts
the largest number of risers In two
hours. There were seventeen entries. Herr
Knopf , who smoked without pause from
start to finish , was declared winner. He re
duced ten large cigars to ashe s In the allot
ted time , while hla closest competitor smoked
but seven and one-half. At the end of the
first hour ten smokers retired from the
match and left the room. None of them
returned. Of the seven others three were
pale and perspiring freely when the referee
called "time. " Knopf felt well and pro
fessed his willingness to begin at once an
other two-hour match , but his challenge
found iio takers. Ho says that he Is ready
to smoke against anybody In Berlin for 000
cigars a side , the length of the contest to
be flxed by mutual consent between one and
a half and flve hours.
Shooting Ituuml n Corner.
The lines of the confronting forces at the
crater front , says Blue and Gray , were
170 yards apart , and so accurate were the
sharpshooters that a hat raised on a ram
rod ever so slightly above the crest of the
parapet was sure to be soon perforated with
balls ; Indeed , ceaseless vigilance was the
only guarantee against Injury at any point
along the lines , and , Incredible as It may (
seem , It Is nevertheless true that soldiers
facing to the front , and with the earthworks
between the enemy and themselves , were
frequently struck In the back by the bullets
Just grazing the edge of the parapet In passIng -
Ing over with downward Inclination , striking
some hard substance behind and glancing
dlagonaly forward. Hence there was not
always discredit In being wounded In the
back while serving In these trenches.
Danger became of such hourly occurrence ,
that its presence made It jocular with the
soldiers. When a broadside would Issue from
a federal battery , and the heavy missiles
come hurtling toward our works , the cry ,
"More bread , " would go up from the near
by soldiers , which meant thit as soon as
night or a flagof truce allowed , the fragments
of metal would be exchanged for fresh bread
with the junk dealer and baker from Peters
burg , and these loaves were Indeed a relief
from the monotony of hard tack and coarse
cornmeal , called "grits , " and often sour.
Mineral Hint tint "Taper. "
Mineral blotting stone Is a novelty. It
was exhibited at the meeting of the Na
tional Academy of Sciences , recently In ses
sion A Washington , On the desk of one of
the scientists was a thin slice of light col
ored stone. He used It for a blotter , and It
absorbed Ink better than any bibulous paper.
It was a piece of the new mineral blotting
.stone , soon to be put on the market by a
Missouri firm. The stuff Is u formation
composed of sediment deposited by certain
hot springs. It has been accumulating
for ages In the locality mentioned , and Is
available In Inexhaustible quantities. High
ly porous. It will take up a surprising quan
tity of Ink. The merchant , will employ it
Incidentally as a paper weight , and occa
sionally the office boy will scrape It off with
knife an easy task , the substance being
very soft making it as good as new.
IIlS IU..1 * Of It.
Henry Wattcreon tells of a politician who
was Inveighing against Cleveland before a
number of auditors In Washington.
"I'm going to quit , " says he. "I'm , Kolng
to get out and keep out of sight for the
next four years , I know a secluded spot
in the James river county where I'll go
and live. It's an Ideal home for a weary re
cluse. About 200 yards back of the coi
nage there's a sprlnghouse and close by Is
mint bed , while just across the creek a
friend of mini ) runs a distillery. "
A Kentucklan was among the auditors
and at thin juncture be interrupted the
speaker.
"Excuse me , stranger , but that must ba
paradise ! "
The other day Johnnie saw a branded mus
tang on the street , "Ob , mamma , " he
shouted , "just look how they've gone and
vaccinated the poor thing ! "
Sweet breath , tweet atomacb , sweet tem
per : Ttea use DJWltfi Little Earljr Risers.
THE
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OF THE
World's Fair.
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An education in itself ' . -
Cheaper than photographs
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Worthy a place in any library
Written by the men who built it
A romantic narrative of the Fair
Illustrated by America's leading artists
Artistic and literary event of the
DIGEST THESE NOTS
It Is
A statistical serial
A toy to be thrown away
Illustrated by photographs
Eqitaled in the world of art
To be classed with Portfolios
A dry treatise on architecture
( Devoted simply to construction
A rehash of other publications
To be had except by our readers
An unworthy rival of the Fair itself
IT IS CALLED
AND IS WRITTEN
D.H. BURNHAM , | F. D. MILLET
Director of Works. Director of Decoration.
$1,000 is the price of the Standard Editon , but t
we control a limited number of the popular
edition which will be sold to our readers at the
ridiculously low figure of
25 CENTS A PART.
PARTS ONE , TWO AND THREE NOW READY.
TZRING 6 coupons with 25 cents , or , sent by mail , 5 centi
extra , in coin ( stamps not accepted. ) Address.
Memorial Department ,
Omaha , Bee.
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tfor tUo by all First Class Dottier * . Manufactured by the
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