New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-02-17
A LIEUTENANT'S PRISONER.

o ~ oAA0 oe'sc dnu o. newly ueuSeu
graduate of the military academy, he
was not looked upon with sublime awe
by the frontiersmen. around his Ari-
zonian post, and certainly not with q
fearful respect by the military.
Thefrontiersmen, from their proud
height OF dyspepsia and dirt, recogniz-
ed tidy Mr.. Parker only as a "tender-
foot, while the older officers and sol
diers were naturally slow to concede
military merit to a youngster who
had escaped death or court-martial
Tor a shorter period than themselves.
In reality, Lieut. Parker knew very
little OF the energetic west as it is ma
terialized around Fort Mcdowell, and
what little he did know did not swell
him with pride. 1t was his idea that
if knowledge is power, knowledge of
Arizona was only mule power and not
to be coveted. He was not in deadly
fear of that truculent creature, the
Arizonian in a red shirt, but if he had
chosen an individual to stand betwixt
the wind and his nobility the gentle
man iii the carmine carmisa would not
have obtained the situation. His life
was not totally without charm, for
he was inlove with thecolonel's daugh-
ter, one Of those charming youngladies
found only in army circles, who have
all the polish OF their more fortunate
city sisters with seductive frankness
and abandon devolved in their bohe-
milan existence.
1t was arranged between Miss Helen
and Parker that when he could get
leave it should be for a wedding jour
ney. 1t was the peculiarcharm Of this
arrangement that 1T was made with
out the colonel's assistance or knowl-
edge. Lovers must have their secrets.
A lover without weighty secret
would cut as poor a figure as q secret
less statesman.
However, the chances of Parkers
getting a furlough were slim. His
captain was ora an indefinite sick leave,
having splendid time and entering
heartily into business, while his first
lieutenant was engaged in Washington
on some onerous duty, which required
peculiar talents and considerable Sin
Huence."
zone officer" said the law, ssmust
be with the troops" and when thelaw
uttered these words it ignored the as
tute captain and powerful first lieuten-
ant and pointed with it's crooked
finger at our friend Mr.. Parker.
The morning when history finds him
the lone lieutenant, acting as post
adjutant, was sitting at his desk in
the co]onel' s Office ravely referring Off
cial papers to himself in some Of his
many capacities, such as quarter-mas-
ter, commissary, ordnance officer, post
treasurer, chief of scouts, overseer
of schools, or perpetual officer of the
day. BY his formal words one would
have thought him on very frigid terms
with himself. Instead, for instance,
OF saying, "Parker, will you take a
squint 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
made 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.
81 suppose It'll have to be done,
said the lieutenant, vaguely not know
ing on what point a reply was wished.
eyes" unused the colonel, "but how?
This says he is supposed to be at San
ford, but the description is vague TO
make q search on.
'.Oh, that" said Parker; nwhy, ]
think know the man already. saw
him last summer when was surveying
the line from ella bend to Tucson.
He keeps a saloon in Sanford"
The colonel shook his head.
II was going to send for an old off,
Ger, but if you can identify the man
you'll have to go. Humph! Not a
very pleasant or easy duty and he
looked hard at the young mans
smooth face etit's worse than Indian
lighting. Maybe / had better. have an
older officer 60 with you"
III you think it necessary"
Il don't, said the colonel, instantly
determined by Parker's look; and he
wrote in pencil the draft for an order:
Lieut.. Parker will proceed di-
rectly to Sanford, Arizona, with a de-
tail Of six men, and arrest escaped
military convict John Devine."
Just have that published
!; Parker :! hesitated; but as the respon-
slblllty OF the arrest was to depend
upon him he determined to speak.
II that order is published, word OF
it will 60 to this convict by the under
ground. and ne will give me the slip.
suppose you were to 60 away with