Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 14, 1899)
^ ■ «y f HIS WORD OF HONOR, • A Tale of the Blue and the Cray* |j BYE. WERNER. f Copyright. ISfr*. by Kobert Pcnr.or-* Sotis. >Ss-.a•» js• • » va - a ■-=* -jz ja jsu2 .a ja^ ^-ja i CHAPTER I. A Soldier's Honor. The rays of the noonday sun were beating down with the scorching glow known only to the South. In the hot, quivering air every object ?cemed steeped in radiant light, and even the forest afforded no coolness, for it, too, was pervaded by the sultry atmos phere, and beneath the huge trees the burning breath of noon was still felt. Under one of these trees, whoso branches, heavy with foliage, extend ed a long distance, two young men had flung themselves on the ground, appa rently for a short rest. Both wore the uniform of the Union army, one being a lieutenant and tho other a surgeon. The latter, who had a slender figure somewhat below the middle height, expressive features and dark hair, lay in a comfortable atti tude on the turf, listening calmly to his companion, who had started up and was pacing hurriedly to and fro. Tho powerful form, thick, fair hair and blue eyes unmistakably revealed Gorman ancestry; but a cloud shadowed the frank, youthful face, and the volco trembled with passionate emotion. “I must go, cost what it may! Since I knew that Harrison and his daughter were on the plantation, I have had no rest. Say what you please, John, I am going!” “My dear William, you are on the eve of doing a very foolish thing," said the surgeon, without chattgrng his com fortable position. “I advlso you, as a friend, to drop it; the affair may be your death.” “What do I care for that! Certainty I will have at any cost. A brisk ride will bring me there In two hours, and I can return before sunset. I’ll venture It at any peril.” “And risk a bullet through your V-VVVVVVVS/VVVVNAA/VN^S/^VVVVVVV wild ride into the enemy's country? You don’t even know whether Miss Harrison wishes to see you—whether she did not agree when her father dis missed you so unceremoniously.” “No, no!” William impetuously re torted. "Florence has been deceived— forced; she has not received any of my letters, as I have not had a single line from her. Her father was always op posed to our engagement; we fairly extorted his consent. He gave it re luctantly, and promptly availed him self of the excuse afforded by the war to recall his promise.” John Maxwell shrugged his shoul ders. “Well, you can hardly blame him! He, a secessionist and slave-baron, and you with your humanistic ideas! You harmonize like fire and water, and you were always a thorn In the flesh of his nephew, the charming Edward. Y ou stole from under his very eyes the wife on whom he had set his heart. He’ll never forgive you. Conditions were imposed at the outbreak of the war?” “Yes—shameful ones! I was to deny my convictions, desert and betray the cause I serve and fight in the ranks of tho enemy against our army. I reject ed the dishonorable demand as it de served.” “With the most reckless bluntness to Lhe millionaire and future father-in law. Tho Harrisons really are not so very much to blame. You would be nn extremely troublesome son-in-law. i should have considered the matter a little. Whero a bride and a fortune ire at stake-” “You would have practiced treason? John, don’t make yourself worse than you are. Even you would have been Incapable of it.” “Who talks of treason! You merely S/VSAA/SA^WWS/VWWVWVWWWs “WILL YOU ACCOMPANY ME?" brain. You have probably forgotten that we are engaged in a war and that it is desertion for an officer to be ab sent from his regiment without leave. Court-martials are sometimes disagree able in such cases, and it would be un fortunate if Lieutenant Roland should go out of the world by lynch-law.” The sarcasm of these words succeed ed in producing an impression where sensible arguments might have failed. William Roland started and answered more quietly: “What fancy have you taken Into your head? Of course, I dou’t mean to go without leave. The colonel will not refuse it; we are doing nothing here. I must see and speak to Florence once more, even though I hazard my life to do It!" "You lovers are always ready to risk your lives,” said the young surgeon, carelessly. “Your feelings are forever at the boiling point. A strange con dition of affairs. Let me feel your pulse!” “Cease this jesting!” cried William, Xuriously. “Can’t you curb your spirit of mockery even here? But how could I expect sympathy or appreciation from you where affairs of the heart are concerned!” “From the heartless American!” re torted John. “Of course, heart and feeling are the prerogatives of the Ger man. You have taken out a patent on them, and consider yourselves actually insulted if other people claim a little of the article, too. Here we are back again at the old point of dispute, over which we wrangled sufficiently as boys —the honor of our different nationali ties." “In which you usually came off worst” “Yes; you had an abominable way of cudgeling German supremacy into me; and as you were the stronger. I gen erally yielded to your palpable argu ments. But when there w’as anything which required brains and reflection, John Maxwell was summoned. Then you submitted to my authority, and, at the utmost, appeared on the scene when there was a drubbing to be given. Don’t look so gloomy, Will; 1st us dis cuss the matter sensibly. What do you really expect to accomplish by this needed to have remained passive and not fought at all, either for or against the Union; that would have been the wisest course.” “And a cowardly, pitiful one into the bargain! Am I alone to lag be hind, when every one springes to arms? Let us drop the subject. Our views on this point are very widely sun dered.” “They are on all points,” said Max well, dryly. “I stick to it—this visit to the plantation is as useless ns It is dangerous, but I don’t flatter myself in the least with the hope of detaining you. You’ll have your own way under all circumstances.” “Of course, I shall. I’m going to .he colonel at once to ask for leave of absence. Will you accompany me?” The young surgeon sighed. He was probably loath to resign his comfort able resting place, yet he rose slowly. “I wish Colonel Burney would put you under arrest for three days, in stead of giving you leave of absence,” he said, emphatically. “But unfortu nately, you are a favorite, and besides, it’s an established fact that, if a man | wants to commit a folloy, everybody hastens to help him. So let us go!” j The regiment to which the young ] men belonged was stationed in the next village. After severe battles and arduous marches a short respite had been granted, but the men were to move in a few days. Constant bustle pervaded the usually quiet hamlet and was specially noticeable around the colonel’s quarters. When Roland and Maxwell entered, they found several officers there. The commander him self, a man advanced In years, with a grave but kindly face, stood among a i group of his subordinates, apparently discussing something with them. “I am glad you have come, doctor!” he said to the surgeon. “I was just going to send for you. Lieutenant Davis has reported that two of his men are ill, and the symptoms appear very grave; he fears fever, and begs to have medical assistance as soon as possible. You will ride over to the outposts.” “I’ll go at once,” replied Maxwell. “I hope it will prove a false alarm, as has happened several times, but we’ll soon ascertain." * Certainly. I am especially anxloys to have reliable information concern ing the nature of the disease. The outbreak of an epidemic Mould be ex tremely inconvenient Just now. When do you expect to be back?" "In three hours, if necessary. Hut 1 had Intended to aak leave of absence until evening on account of another matter, which I should like to attend to at the same time.” "Of course, if you wish,” said Bur ney, absently. "Only send me some good news.” "The best in my power. At any rate, there is no time to lose. I will go at once.” The colonel nodded assent, and the other officers now joined in the con versation. The subject was discussed in all its bearings. If these cases were really the first in an impending epi demic, the matter was very serious. At last Maxwell took his leave; but, in the act of going, approached his friend, who was standing silently at the window. "Do you still persist in your re solve?” he asked, under his breath. "Certainly. As soon as I get my leave I shall ride over.” “And perhaps be shot on the way! Good luck to you!” “Th inks for the kind wish,” said William, angrily. "Perhaps It will be flllfllloil ” “Hardly. Men who, like you, are forever butting their heads against a wail, generally have uncommonly good fortune. Where the rest of us crack our skulls, they push the stone apart. Farewell, Will!” He left the room. Doctor Maxwell did not spoil his friend by pretty speeches; that was evident. He took leave of the young officer who might “perhaps be shot on the way” as care lessly as If there was nothing in pros pect save an ordinary ride. William scarcely heeded it; his mind was filled with other thoughts, and he availed himself of the first pause In the con versation to approach the colonel and request a brief private Interview. Burney opened the door of a small room adjoining, and the two men en tered. “Well, Lieutenant Roland, have you anything important to ask?” said the colonel, when they were alone. “I merely wished to request a short leave of absence,” replied the young man, with apparent calmness. “There is a family matter to be arranged which is of the utmost importance to me." “And which you can arrange while on the march?" “At least I hope so. I intend to visit relatives who live on a plantation only a few miles from here. I have just learned that I was in their immediate neighborhood.” The request was not singular, and was easily granted, yet something in the young man’s face attracted the colonel’s attention, and he inquired; “What is the name of the plantation you desire to visit?” William hesitated a moment, then slowly answered: “Springfield.” Burney started. “Springfield? That is beyond our outposts. Are you not aware that it is in the enemy’s country?” “I know it.” “And yet you wish to go there? It won’t do. I cannot permit it.” “I took a similar and far more dan gerous ride a week ago on staff duty," replied William. “That was in the service; duty re quired it: but this is a private affair, and I cannot permit one of my officers to risk Ills life for such a matter. No, Lieutenant Roland.” (To be continued.) WHEN MEN MISS SUCCESS. Idleness and Tneompetency Keep the Buetnees Novice Down. Walter P. Phillips, the founder of the national newsgathering corpora tion known as the United Press, and the inventor of Phillips’ telegraphic code, a typical, energetic American, who has put many young men in the newsgathering business, believes that the cause of failure everywhere among young business beginners lies in in competence. Nine-tenths of the young men who are struggling for a name and place in the world are unfitted for the callings they have picked out for themselves. Besides an unlimited supply of energy and whole-hearted ness in the work before him, the suc cessful man of the future must know his business from A to Z. The next greatest drawback to success is idle ness. Nothing worth while is accom plished without work, and plenty of it. Things do not happen without a cause, and behind every great life there are years of concentrated energy and tireless industry. Idleness will make any man a failure; intelligent work will land any man among the successful. It is all so simple and soj trite that one hesitates to put the fact! down in cold blood, and yet how few1 men recognize or, recognizing, live up to tho axiom, that.labor conquers all things! Idleness and the conscious ness of incompetency should make any man asnameu oi mmseii auu urive i him to do something that is worth the doing. It is within the grasp of every one to learn some one thing that will yield both pleasure and profit. Suc cess comes only to those who seek it. The young man who is really in earnest will not have to be advised how to succeed. He may learn much ; by studying the failures of others, however, and he will always find, after a si»rvey of the great legion of the un successful, that two causes have brought them to their present misery —idleness and incompetency.—Satur day Evening Post. WHY WEOIVETHANKS REASONS FOR OBSERVING THE NATION’S FEAST DAY. The Exceptional Clam for Thunksglv Inc Set Forth bf President McKinley in HU Proclamation Appointing Thurx day. Mot. 30, For That Purpose. The president of the United States has issued his proclamation naming Thursday, Nov. 30, 1839, as a day of general thanksgiving and prayer “to be observed as such by all our people on this continent and in our newly ac quired islands, as well as by those who may be at sea or sojourning in foreign lands.” In his customary crisp phrase ology, always admirable for Its incisive directness and its freedom from verbi age, President McKinley points out the facts that support his statement that “Seldom has this nation had greater cause for profound thanksgiving.” Seldom indeed has this nation, and never has any other nation, had equal cause to give thanks. Here are some of the causes as set forth in the presi dent's proclamation: No great pestilence lias invaded our shores.** See national election returns 1896, 1898. The pestilence of free trade has ceased to af#ict us. “Liberal employment waits upon labor.” See American Protective Tariff league’s industrial census for March, 1899, showing an increase of 39.56 per cent in amount of labor employed, 54.Q3 per cent in amount of wages paid and 10.49 per cent in wage rate per capita. “Abundant crops have rewarded the efforts of the husbandman.” Also higher prices for these crops by reason of the larger employment and the greater consuming capacity of American work peoplo. “Increased comforts hare come to the home.” The people of the United States were never before so well fed, so well clothed, or so well housed. “The national fl nances hare been strengthened and public credit has been sustained and made firmer.” Owing to a sound financial and eco nomic policy which has increased in dividual and national wealth to a de gree never before known. “In all branches of Industry and trade there has been an unequaled degree of prosperity, while there has been a steady gain In the moral and educational growth of our national character. Churches and schools have flourished.” The three things go together: pros perity,morality, intelligence. These are conspicuous in Republican policies and practices. “American patriotism has been ex alted.” It always was and always will be exalted by a thoroughly American gov ernment such as that which now di rects affairs of state. Such are the chief causes for thank fulness suggested by the president in his proclamation. They are splendid, extraordinary, exceptional causes which appeal to the pride and excite tho gratification of every true American. Happy is the fortune of the president who can cite such an array of reasons for general thanksgiving. His prede cessor in office could not do it four years ago. PROOF OF PROSPERITY. Notable Decrease In the Amount of Child Lsbor Employed. The enormous amounts of work be ing done in the factories of Grand Rapids, and the increased number of men employed, clearly indicates that this city has not failed to get its share of prosperity. According to figures compiled by Deputy Factory Inspector Addison, of the Michigan Factory In spection bureau, the number of em ployes in the factories in this city has been increased to a total of 13,193 since the first cf May, the number on that date being 12,729, an increase of 464. There is also a noticeable decrease in the number of children and boys under 16, their places being taken by men and older boys. The companies have decided that they are better off with the older employes, and they do not care to take the chances of prosecution for violation of the law which pro hibits the employment of boys under 16 years of age. Again, under more prosperous conditions the necessity for every member of a family to be earn ing something does not exist as it did once, and that fact has considerably thinned the ranks of child labor throughout the country as well as in this city. -Increased trade and in creased employment are sure signs of prosperity, and if Senator Jones of Ne vada, who lately expressed his belief that there was no real prosperity in the country, will come to Grand Rapids he will be speedily convinced that present prosperity is something very real, after all.—Grand Rapids (Mich.) Herald. There Are Others. Will some one please name a great trust magnate who is not a Repub lican?—Eureka Union. Well, there is Havemeyer, the sugar king, to start with. There are others, however.—Eureka (Kan.) Herald. It Is to Laugh. Prosperity has laid its hand on the Sunflower state, and a journal ac knowledges it by saying. “Laugh, and the world will be likely to take you for a Kansas farmer.”—Carlsbad (N. M.) Argus. SOME OF THE CAUSES FOR THANKSGIVING, LYING UNDER A MISTAKE. Sheer DemaKogbm to Charge the Be* publican Party with Trust*. Increased prices with no increased salaries or wages is a lop-sided pros perity that follows with peculiar pro priety in the wake of the party that by restrictive tariff called trusts into existence.—So-called Democratic or gan. The opposition organs are filled with just that sort of political stuff. In the paragraph quoted there is one unim portant truth. A few articles have been advanced slightly in price, per haps, but that has been much more fhan counterbalanced in the increased demand for labor, and the general ad vance in wages. It is not true that there has been a “recent marked increase in the price of every day necessities,” nor is it true that there have been "no increased sal aries or wages.” Wages have been generally increased, and in many cases largely increased. As for trusts, so far it has not been a political questi a; individuals of all parties have been and are mixed up with them, so are free-trade countries. And it is sheer demagogism for the or gans of that party to charge that trusts were organized by the Repub lican party or that that party is in any way responsible for them more than any other party. Such a charge would be at variance with the truth, and none know it better than those organs which are continually mouthing it over. In fact it is a part of their political stock in trade. That is only another way of politely saying to any one who ventures to make the charge: “You lie, sir—under a mistake.”—Nor walk (Ohio) Reflector. No Store Use for Populism. Edgerton, S. D., September 30,1899.— To the Editor: I have noticed of late several statements in the Journal re lating to the deposit per capita of resi dents in different parts of the country. I do not consider any of them, taking into account our handicap of no rail road towns, as good as Charles Mix County’s. There are four banks in the old part of the county now having de posits of over ?20 per capita. There are no manufacturers’, large ranchers’, stock or grain buyers’ deposits, and half of the merchants keep their ac counts at their railroad shipping points, or use the “sock.” Ninety per cent of the deposits belong to the farmers and the balance to a part of the merchants. This county went Pop ulist last year, but it will never hap pen again as long as the present condi tions of the country will last. T. E. ANDREWS. When prosperity comes in at the door Populism flies out at the window. That is the burden of a brief but sig nificant communication from Charles Mix County, S. D. The statement that the farmers of that county have nearly $20 per capita laid away in the banks before marketing this year's fine crops forms the basis of the prediction.— Sioux City (la.) Journal. Urjitn Applauded. Mr. Bryan is reported to have ap plauded a speech of President McKin ley at Canton, 111. As the brief address was principally devoted to the martial triumphs of this country, and to the greater triumph of “overcoming the enemies of prosperity” and scattering their forces, Mr. Bryan was either sincere or has decided that prosperity is something more than a semblance. The former asserted that “this nation has been greatly blessed, and at this hour we are a united and prosperous people.” Col. Bryan continues to harp upon the doleful theme of a suffering people, ground down by the money power, plutocrats and octopuses whose brains and money are actively engaged in the work of oppressing labor. Facts and conditions prove which of the two men is right.—Tacoma (Wash.) Led ger. Would lie a Sad Revenge. If the people want the predictions cf Demo-Pops to come true, all they have to do is to vote for them, as was done in 1892, and they will see a repe tition of history. The year 1899 has so far been the most prosperous the nation has ever known, and it would be a sad reverse to destroy it that Bry an and his supporters may hold office. —Medford (Okla.) Patriot. Keeps Him Bustling. The show has caught up with the ad vance agent of prosperity, and it keeps the avant courier hustling to avoid be ing actually run over.—Benton (111.) Republican. WE'RE PROSPEROUS; THAT IS ALL. Fact! Known to Every Intelligent Man, bnt Worth Reading Just the Same. A famous epitaph commemorates the virtues of a Roman woman who, in an age of frivolty, “staid at home and span her wool.” She did not promenade abroad until her household was clothed in purple and fine linen of domestic manufacture. So, with but two inter vals in the past generation, the United States has been engaged in providing for its own people enough food, enough clothing, enough manufactures of every sort to supply every reasonable American want by the proceeds of American industry. It has stayed at home and spun its wool with success, and now it is ready to go abroad in search of markets for the irrepressible surplus of its industry. For a long time we were accustomed to speak of 1892 as “the McKinley year,” as “the record-breaking year of exports.” But the inevitable trend of Republican policy has carried us far and away beyond the figures of 1892. For example, during the whole fiscal year of 1892 our exports of copper and copper manufactures were worth $7, 226,392; during the first eight months of 1898 they were worth $22,925,485; during the first eight months of this year they have amounted to $25,197, 056. Our exports of iron and steel, ex clusive of iron ore, were worth $28, 800,930 during the twelve months of the fiscal year 1892. They were worth $68,008,071 during the first eight months of 1899. Our exports of leather and its manufactures were worth $12, 084,781 in the whole of 1892, and $17, 413,458 during the first eight months of the present year. We exported agricultural implements to the value of $3,794,983 during the twelve months elapsing between June 30, 1891, and June 30, 1892, and to the value of $11,495,450 between January and September, 1899. A phenomenal increase of exports is noticeable in almost every branch and department of manufactures. Simul taneous with this there has been a vast extension of the production of goods for home use. Never have the de mands of the home market been more pressing; never have William J. Bry an’s “common people” been so well fed, so well clothed, so well housed, so well supplied with money to spend, as at present. But there has been one decrease in exports. In 1892 our exports of pro visions, exclusive of breadstuffs, were worth $140,362,159; for the first eight months of this year they are worth $121,651,443. We have now more money to spend on food, and we are eating more and better food. The time seems not far distant when the American peo ple will be able to consume all of the choicest products of American farms. All these are hard facts, known to every intelligent man, but it is worth while to gather them and read them occasionally as long as the voice of the Democrat is heard in our land.—Chi cago Inter-Ocean. Railway Prosperity. The railways of the country are do ing an unparalleled business at the present time. Not only are people trav eling in greater numbers than in or dinary times, but there is an equally heavy amount of freight traffic. So much freight is to be transported that the railways are finding it difficult to provide enough cars to meet the de mand for them. The situation is summed up by an Eastern railway offi cial as follows: “With the enormous business in sight it will be a crime if, for the next six months at least, there is a single rate cut or an unemployed car east of Chicago. There is sufficient business to keep every road busy.” The great amount of business done by the railway companies is a sure in dication of the great prosperity that prevails in all parts of the country. It rejects good times for all the people. The crops are large, causing unusually heavy shipments of grain and agricul tural products, which means increased freight business for the railways, while the great amount of manufacturing and our large exports to foreign coun tries contribute to a great extent in giving the railways new business. Then the people are traveling more than usual, because they feel that they can afford it. The prosperity of the railways is an infallible test of the prosperity of the country. As they have never known a period when their receipts were greater, it may be as sumed that the country is enjoying greater prosperity than ever before.— Milwaukee Sentinel. Chickamauga is to have a confeder ate monument to cost $65,000.