The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-02-19
A LIEUTENANT'S PRISONER.

A LiEUIENANIS PRlSUNER.
Charles Parker being a young man
from the east and a newly fedged
graduate of the military academy, he
was not lookedupon with sublime awe
by the frontiersmen around his Ari-
sonian post, and certainly not with a
fearful respect by the military.
Thefrontiersmen, from their proud
height of dyspepsia and dirt, recogniz-
sd tidy Mr.. Parker only as a tender
FOOT" while the older officers and SOL
dlers were naturally slow to concede
military merit to a youngster who
had escaped death or court-martial
FOR o shorter period than themselves.
In reality, Lieut. Parker knew very
little of the energetic west as it is ma
teriaIi2ed around Fort Mcdowell, and
what little he did know did not swell
him with pride. 1t was his idea that
II knowledge is power, knowledge of
Arizona was only mule power andnot
to be coveted. He was not in deadly
fear of that truculent creature, the
Arizonlan in a red shirt, but if he had
chosen an individual to stand betwixt
the wind and his nobility the gentle
man ~, oorp,;Da n opD,;so ,~,o,Il no+
have obtained the situation. His life
was not totally without charm for
he was Move with the colonel daugh-
ter, one OF those charming
found only in army circles, who have
all the polish of their more fortunate
clty sisters with a seductive frankness
and abandon devclyed in their bohe-
mlan existence.
+ 1t was arranged between Miss Helen
and Parker that when he could get
leave it should be for a wedding Jour-
ncy. 1t was the peculiarcharm of this
arrangement that 1t was made with
out the colonies assistance or knowl-
edge. Lovers must have their secrets.
A lover without a weighty secret
would cut as poor a figure al a secret
less statesman.
However, the chances of Parker's
getting q furlough were slim. His
captain was on ali indefinite sick leave,
having a splendid time and entering
heartily into business, while his first
aasTiant was engaged In Washington
on some onerous duty, which required
peculiar talents and considerable I'M
fuence."
One officer said the law, Unjust
be with the troops" and when the law
uttered these words 1t ignored the as
tute captain and powerful first lieuten-
ant and pointed with its crooked
finger at our friend Mr.. Parker.
Tie morning when history finds him
the lone lieutenant, acting as post
adiutant, was sitting at his desk in
the coiOnels oficegravely referring Off
cial papersto himself in some OF his
many capacities, such asquarter-mas-
ter, c~ommissary, ordnance officer, post
treasurer, chief of scouts, overseer
Of schools, or perpetual officer OF the
day. BY his formal words N would
have thought him on very frigid terms
With himself. Instead, for instance,
Of saying, Parker, win you take q
squirt at this?' he wrote, Respect
fully referred to Lieut.. Parker, who
will take the action required"
Meanwhile the colonel was knitting
his brows over the order from head
quarters.
What do you think Of that?" he
said at last, handing the paper to
Parker.
The young man read the order, but
nude no answer. He liked to have
his opinion asked, but he did not
suppose that his crude ideas would
be OF value to an officer OF SO much
greater experience.
What do you Think" repeated
the colonel mildly.
III suppose tn have to be done
said the lieutenant vaguely not know
ing On what point a reply was wished
Yes" unused the colonel, "buthow'
This says he is supposed to be at San
ford, but the description is vague 4
make q search on"
rOh, that" said Parker; sswhy,
think I know the mans already. u SAY
him last summer when was surveyin
the line from ella bend to Tucson
lie keeps q saloon in Sanford"
The colonel shook his head.
III was going to send for an old off
cor. but il you can identity the ma
you'll have to go. HumphI Not
very pleasant or easy duty"-and b
looked hard at the young man
smooth face-"it's worse than Indian