Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-23
CHAPTER XIV.

1t is not ofteh that wish my readers
to follow me through very close descrip
ton of bricks and mortar. of stairway
and rooms, Of doorwayS and windows;
but it is really necessary that they should
know something of the plan upon which
the messrooms and officers quarters at
Walmsbury were arranged.
Ii was not barracks Intended for the
accommodation of a regiment but only
for a detachment of such regiment as
might be quartered at Blankhampton
On the left of the principal entrance gate
stood the larger of two blocks of build
ings-this contained the guard room and
cells, the mems rooms. and the married
and sergeants' quarters, on the right was
second block. which contained on the
ground floor the orderly room and office,
the messrooms and some other rooms
used either for married officers quarters
or as quarters for stall officers, such as
the doctor or paymaster, if one hap
pened to be needed On the floor above
were seven good sized rooms and large
kitchen used in common by all the oth-
GERS servants on that story.
This kitchen overlooked the road, and
was of Irregular shape, owing TO the fact
that the well of the staircase was taken
out OF il On the side of it furthest from
the entrance gate was an empty room,
and OH the other were the two rooms
usually appropriated to the officer com
handing the detachment, though, in this
case, Owen had not troubled to furnish
both rooms and had only brought a por
ton of his goods and chattels from head
quarters. Thus the room on either side
of the kitchen was empty, while on the
other side of the corridor which cut that
floor of the building in halves were the
quarters occupied by the doctor-who
preferred to be on the upper story-Beau-
tiful Jim Tommy Earle and young Man
ners
Thus Beautiful Jim's room was exactly
opposite to the kitchen; and il happened
that one lonely evening at the beginning
Of May, after he had spent an hour with
a pipe and the pleasure of dreaming
about his sweet Nancy Earle, he was just
beginning to think it was time to dress for
mess, when Capt Owen opened the door
unceremonlously and walked in
That something serious had happened
to disturb Owen, Jim saw at once by the
unusual cloud on his solemn, good phz,
which was to him the dearest i'll the whole
regiment
handed.
1t was still chilly enough, in spite Of
the lovely spring weather, for all the Off
GERS to have their fires blazing half way
up their chimneys. and Owen, with the
usual freedom of barrack life. began to
tell him what was the matter by possess
ing himself of the poker and vigorously
smashing the big Jumps of coal
What on earth is it, Jim asked, his
curiosity now thoroughly aroused; for
Owen was man Of quite unusually equa-
bic temper, and this display of mental dis
turbance betrayed that something greatly
ont of the common had happened to ruffie
him.
That young ass. Tommy" Owen burst
out in contemptuous disgust.
w hat-has he been at it again." Jim
asked, not much surprised except that
owen should think enough about Tommy
to be annoyed by anything he might take
1t into his empty young head to do And
what he been after: Mischief of course, "
with an amused laugh
Mischief | believe you The young
fool-tLe idiot--the-just look here, y
holding out his hand.
Why that's Tommy's fashiest ring
oeats all Evelyn Gabrielle's rings to fits, -
Jim exclaimed. where in the world did
you get it? Surely young Tommy hasn't
been 'reduxed so as to pay visits to his
avuncular relative?'
If that was all there wouldn't be much
harm done, returned Owen. NO, it s
much worse than that You know that
pert little barmaid at the Ducks Tail?''
Yes.
Il went in there this afternoon to get
the address of that horse dealer that
Whitaker told ME about, and found
my lady busting her bottles and counters
and so on with this blazing on her hand
knew the ring i'll minute, and by Jovel
was down upon her like terrier on a
rat. Where did you get that ringf'
asked
WHAT'S that to your she said. with
As much cheek as even Tommy himself
could have shown
You get it out of Mr.. Earle. said l.
And what II | did?' she returned,
pertly.
ITO be continued