Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-08-07


The colonel of the Eleventh cavalry
was gentleman who had some pecul-
iarities of temperament and disposition.
This fact is not cited as thing at all
unusual, for the unbiased testimony Ot
the subalterns and even the troop COM
manders of every cavalry regiment in
service would go far towards establish
ing the fact that all colonies of cavalry
are similarly afflicted. One of the salient
peculiaritieS of the commanding officer
of the Eleventh was a conviction that
nothing went smoothly in the regiment
unless the captains were all on duty with
their companies; for, while at any time
Col. Riggs would approve an application
for a heutenant's leave of absence, it
was worse than pulling teeth to get him
to do likewise for a gentleman with the
double bars on his shoulder. "Con-
found the mani" growled Capt. Greene,
there I've been seven years with my
troop, saving up for a six months leave,
and the old rip disapproves it! What on
earth can a fellow say?'
"You didn't go about it right, Green
ey," was the calm rejoinder of a COM
rade who had been similarly ''cut" the
year previous. You should have lail
siege to him through madame month
or so. What she says as to who goes on
leave and who doesn't is law at head
quarters, and l know it. Now, you
watch Noel. That fellow is wiser in his
generation than all the rest of us put to-
gether. 1t isn't six months since he got
back from his staff detail, and see how
constant he is in his attentions to the old
lady. Now, I'll bet you anything you
like the next plum that tTlmbles into the
regiment will go to his nav and nobody
else's"
Riggs wouldn't have the face to give
anything to Noel-in the way of detached
duty,I mean. | heard him say when
'GOrdy' was coming back to the regiment
that he wished he had the power to
transfer subs from troop to troop; he'd
put Noel with the most exacting captain
he knew and Self he couldn't get little
square service ont of the fellow"
"That's all right, Greene. That's what
he said six months ago, before Noel was
really back, and before he had begun
doing the devoted to her ladyship at
headquarters Riggs wouldn't say so
now-much less do it. She wouldn't let
him, cOmrade mine; and you know it."
Noel has been doing first rate since
he got back, Jim sail Capt. Greene,
after pause.
ooh, Noel's no bad soldier in garrison
at drill or parade. It's field work and
scouting that knocks him endwise; and
if there's an Indian within a hundred
miles Well, you know as much as
l do on that subject"
Greene somewhat gloonily nodded as
sent, and his companion, being wound
up for the day, plunged ahead with his
remarks:
"NOw, I'm just putting this and that
together, Greene, and I'll make you a
bet. Riggs has managed things ever
since he has been colonel so that lieu
tenant is ordered detached for recruiting |
service and never a captain. 1t won't be |
long before Lane gets his promotion;
and I'll bet you even before he gets it |
Riggs will have his letter Swimming to |
Washington begging his immediate re-
call and nominating sub to take his |
place. I'll give you odds ON that; and |
I'll bet you even that the sub he names |
will be Gordy Noel"
But, though he secuted the idea,
Greene would not bet, for at that in |
slant the club room was invaded by a
rush Of young officers Just returning
from target practice, and the jolliest
laugh, the most all pervadirg voice, the
cheeriest personality of the lot were
those of the gentleman whose name
Capt. Jim Rawlins had just spoken.
what you going to have fellows7' he
called. "Here, Billy, old man, put up that
spelter; steered the gang In here, and it's
my treat. Don't go, Forbes; come back,
old fellow, and join Us. Captain. what shall
1t be? Say, you all know Dick Cassidy
Of the Seventh. heard such good rig
on him this morning. I got letter from
Tommy Craig, who's on duty at the war
department, and he told me that Dick was
there trying to get one Of these blasted
college details. What dye suppose a
wants to leave his regiment
for. to take thing like that?
CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.
Il