The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1890-09-20

the Indifference of the young man in
question, she ought to have made him
self known after told him who was"
Another pause. "That's what I did it
for" she wound up, conclusively.
"And that's what thought" said Miss
Travers, with q quiet smile. "However,
he had no time then; he was hurrying
Off to see whether any Of the soldiers
had come on board. He took his flask
with him, and apparently was in haste
to offer some one drink. I'm sure that
is what papa used to do" she added, as
she saw a frown gathering on her sisters
face.
"What papa did just after the war-a
all the proper thing now. Capt. Rayner
| never touches it. and don't allow it in
| the house."
"Still / should think it very useful
article when lot of frozen and ex-
hausted men are on ones hands," said
Miss Travers. "That was but small
flask he had and I'm sure they'll need
| more"
There came a rush Of cold air from the
front, and the swinging door blew open
ahead of the porter, who was heard
banging shut the outer portal. Then he
hurried in.
Can some Of you gentlemen oblige
me with some whisky or brandyT' he
asked. "We've got some frozen soldiers
aboard. Two Of 'em are pretty nearly
gone"
Two of the card players dropped their
hands and started for their section at
once. Before they could rummage in
their bags for the required article Mrs.
Rayner's voice was heard: 'Take this,
porter" And she held forth little sill
yer flask. II have more in my trunk if
1t is needed" she added, while blush
mounted to her forehead as she saw the
guizzical smile on her sisters face.
"You know l always carry it in travel
ing, Nellie-in case of accident or ill
ness, and I'm most thankful I have it
now"
"Ever SO much obliged, ma'am," said
the porter, "but this would be only a
thimbleful and can get quart bottle
of this gentleman"
"Where are they?" said the person
thus referred to, as he came down the
aisle with a big brown bottle in his
hand. "Come, Jim, let's go and see
what we can do. One of you gentlemen
AXE my place in the game" he contin-
Eed, indicating the commercial gents,
two of whom, nothing loath, dropped
into the vacated seats, while the others
pushed on to the front of the train. The
porter hesitated one moment.
"Yes, take nay flask; / shouldn't feel
satisfied without doing something. And
please say to the officer that I'm Mrs.
Rayner-Mrs. Capt. Rayner, of the in
fantry-and ask if there isn't something
can do to help"
Eyes, ma'am; ! will. ma'am. Oh, he
knows who you are; done told him last
night. He's goin' to Fort Warrener,
too" And, touching his cap, away went
the porter.
"There! He did know all along" said
Mrs. Rayner triumphantly. sit is most
extraordinary"
swell, IS it the proper thing for peo-
pie in the army to introduce themselves
when travelling? How are they to know
it will be agreeable:"
Agreeable? Why, Nellie, it's always
done, especially when ladies are travel |
ing without an escort, rs we are. The |
commonest civilty should prompt it, and |
officers always send their cards by the |
porter the moment they find army ladies' |
are on the train. don't understand this |
one at all, especially But here she |
broke off abruptly.
Especially what?" asked Miss Nell, |
with an inspiration of maidenly curios-
ity.
Especially nothing. Never mind
now" And here the baby began to
Midget, and stir about, and stretch forth
his chubby hands, and thrust his
knuckles in his eyes, and quicker up his
face in alarming contortions preparatory
to wall. and after one or two soothing
and tentative sounds of "sh-sh-sh-
sh' from the maternal lips the matron
abandoned the attempt to induce q Sec
ond nap, and picked him up in her arms,
where he presently began to take era
cious notice of his pretty aunt and the
kitten.
Two hours later, just as the porter had
notified them that Warrener Station
would be III sight in five minutes. the
young man of the opposite section re.
turned To the car. He looked tired, very
ANXIOUS and his face was paler and the
sad expression more pronounced than
before The train conductor stopped
him to speak of some kilograms that had
oeen sent, and both ladies noted the re-
spect which the railway official threw
into the tone in which he spoke. The
card players stopped their game and
went up TO ask after the frozen men,