Nobelist. Major Dunwoody's Leg AND THE GREAT POTTAWATOMIE CLAIM.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2531, 29 September 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

Nobelist. Major Dunwoody's Leg AND THE GREAT POTTAWATOMIE CLAIM.

Atf Amebican Stosy. BY MAXADELER

CHAPTER VI.

The entire, conspiracy of General Belcher and achilles Smith was exposed, and an indignant nation discovered that the costly struggle with the Pottawatomies had not even so slight a basis of justice on the part of the Government as a real injury done to Achilles Smith. It was ascertained that Sniith'had not been scalped at all. He had merely had his hair pulled at the Pottawatomie agency by a muscular squaw whom he was trying to cheat out of her allowance of rations.

It became clear that a Congressional investigation would be ordered before the year was out, and Achilles fled. General Belcher's conduct excited so much indignation in Kansas that the politicans, following the popular lead, turned on him. He was arrested, and tried upon a charge of bribery and was committed. When on his way to prison he knocked down his custodian, took the first horse he came to, and started due South,, It is supposed that he went to Mexico. The feeling in Kansas is that the unhappy land of the Montezumas has yet to experience her bitterest woes. It will be a charming country to emigrate from when General Belcher begins to feel at home. Early in November Major Dunwoody obtained release from his duties and came to Washington. He had not warned Pandora ; he wished to suprise her. When he called he withheld his name from the servant. Pandora entered the room slowly. When she saw her lover she gave a little scream of joy and flew towards him. Before reaching him a thought struck her. She paused and seemed astonished. " What's the matter darling 1 Aren't you glad to see me. "Yes, but what—what—why— Henry dear, how is it you have your leg with you V " I always keep it by me, sweet. It is so convenient to have along. You love the other one, you know. " But, Henry, you appear to have both arms, too!" " I brought them to hug you with, you angel, you." She flew into them, and after a •brief moment expended in exercising hnr lips, Pandora looked up into the Major's face and said— " You know, dear, I heard that you had lost your other leg and one of your arms. I cried about it for a month." "Who gave you that information T

" That scandalous story-teller, Achilles Smith." " Smith, hey 1 Is he still around 1 That young man is actually sufferill," from somebody to macerate him." " And you're not hurt a bit, are you, deary ?" " I'm a little dyspeptic from too regular dieting upon salt pork so tough that it creaked when I swallowed it ;but that's all." " Oh, Henry, you don't know how glad I am !" More oscillatory exercise at this juncture ; but we will not stop to consider it, satisfactory as it appeared to be. •' And now, my love," said the Major, as they sat together on the sofa, the Major's arm circling Pandora's waist, " tell me about everything." " Well, let me see ; first of all— you know mother V " Yes." "Well, she is going to marry Colonel Dabiiey !" " You don't say so 1" " Yes she was engaged to Colonel Belcher, but " " Not old Belcher of Kansas 1" ' Yes, but he proved a rascal, so she discarded him, and now she is engaged to Colonel Dabney. Splendid, isn't it 1" " Perfectly splendid ! By the way, have you copied my off leg yet V " Oh, yes ; long ago." " Then your picture is clone V " What ! isn't it satisfactory after

all V " It is to me, darling, but Colonel Dabney says Congress will never accept i t." " Why not T " He seemed embarrassed when I asked him the reason, and he turned the subject." " Absolutely hopeless, is it f " I don't know, dear; what do you think f " Couldn't you alter it into something else ?" " I thought of that. It occurred to me that maybe I might turn it into the Execution of Mary Queen of Scots and get the Canadian Government to buy it." " Not a bad idea." "Paint in different clothes, you know, on Washington, and fix up the tree somehow into Mary Queen of Seots. I think the hatchet will do as it is—do for the executioner's axe, you know." " I see. It's a good notion !" "Mother said she thought I might make it a battle between a Crusadnr and a Saracen, but thc ( tree is in the wrong position for a person supposed to be fighting." " Won't do at all, of course."

"When General Belcher was here he said by painting the grass red so as to represent fire, and making a mast with rigging out of the tree, ruight pass for the Boy on the Burning Deck—Cassabianca. But the Canadian Government would not care particularly about the Boy who stood on the Burning Deck, would they, Henry ?" " I have a dim idea that they wouldn't , " " I think I'll stick to Mary Queen of Scots. "And now about our wedding?" " I'm ready." " Name the day." " Will next Thursday do 1" " Admirable ! So, next Thursday you will be my darling wife." " And you will be my sweet splendid husband!" " Pandora!" " Henry!" Another fall of the curtain appears to be necessary here. We will ring it clown. If it could have been raised again a glimpse might have been caught of a pretty room in which sat a lovely and emiling woman by the side of a table, sewing. Close to her sat a handsome young soldier, with one leg upon the floor. His other leg bobbed about in a huge jar that rested in a corner, Pandora M'Duffy has been transformed in Mrs. Major Henry G. Dunwoody, and she was happy. The End.