San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-01-29

So carefully had tie court been choseI
that of its entire array of thirteen mem
bers every man was personally strangel
to the young soldier whose fate lay IL
their hands. OF all his regiment moi
another officer was at the post when the
court began to arrive, and the only
| soldier-heaven save the mark!-was
| Welsh. now assigned. much TO their dis
gust. TO Capt. Brodies company or the
| infantry for ratious and quarters until
| his evidence should be given: and Welsh
| was the constant center of a group OF
| newsnaper men now billeted at Central
| Civ, and rcsenting it not a little that
| they were not invited to put up at the
| fort.
| But as matters stood the fort was al
ready taxed to its utmost capacity: the
ONLY quarters in which there was room
for the arriving gentlemen were those of
the absent cavalry officers. Mrs. Morris
had two spare rooms, and promptly in
vited Coils. Grace and Maitland. old
friends of her husband, to be her guests.
Kenyon took in three of the seniors.
Mrs. Wharton happened to know Capt.
Chase, who was one of the detail, and
scandalized Mrs. Brodie by borrowing
the Lane barouche, meeting him at the
At,at and driving him straight to her
-onf
Mind YOU" said that young matron
every man on this court shan't go to
its first session without knowing some
thing of Frank Hearns real character.
only wish had room for more.
Mrs. Lane had no spare bedroom, but
babe her reginiental friends who had to
I'LL them up with members of the court
Georgia and will board the whole array
if you will only let u.s." she declared
IN set lunch for the court at noon, and
dine the entire party at every day they
are here if some one will only agree to
take Col. Lawler"
Nobody wanted Lawler, and so he
was one of the three relegated to the
gloomy precincts of old kenyon's quar-
tiers and compelled to rough it at bach
elor mess. 1t was arranged that eight |
members of the court should be quarter
ed among the cavalry homesteads and
otherwise be entertained at the Lanes |
Of such are the expedients to which gar
risons are subject.
It was not until Monday afternoon
that the court began its session. Two |
officers had telegraphed that they could |
not reach the post until the arrival of the
noon train; but all that morning and |
most of Sunday the judge advocate had
been bustling about the garrison, full of |
and enthusiasm. Recognize |
ing the interest felt in the case by an
entire neighborhood, and sedulously |
active in providing for the needs of the |
press, Lawler had caused the quarters of !
G troop to be cleared of all the iron |
hunks. Arm racks and lockers were
shifted away; long table had been
brought up from the mess room under
meath and set in the middle of the big |
room, the presidents chair at the head,
his own at the foot, those of the mem
bers at the sides. Another long table |
was provided for the swarm of news
paper correspondents, and then, for the
general public, the mess rooms of the |
cavalry had been ransacked, and benches |
md chairs to accommodate several hun
lred people ranged about the room. 1t
was Saturday night when Lawler ar
lived and was met by Maj. Kenyon and
escorted to his quarters.
You might tell Mr.. Hearn that what
'yer he may desire to say to me about
5he case l can hear tonight. You have
10 objection to his coming to your quar-
:ers, l SUPPOSE"
Lord, no! like it. So does he gen.
,rally, but if you want to SEQ Hearn
Tou'll have to so yourself"
Why said Lawler, reddening. HE
,ught to know that it is to his interest
o seek the advice and assistance of the |
Judge advocate. Of course he knows
hat must do my full duty in prosecut-
ng the case; but, outside of that, any
ervice can render him he has a right |
o call for
"Oh, he understands; but, as he was
;iven no opportunity to speak for him
elf when you were investigating the |
ase, | fancy he will ask none now until
lie comes before the court. Then you |
will hear from him"
1T might be very much better if he |
we're to frankly consult the judge advo-
ate" said Lawler, gazing keenly at |
Kenyon from under his shaggy brows.
VERY much better for the prosecu-
ion. But-how better for him?'
We'll, those young men never gain
anything by fighting a case. He had
much better throw himself on the elem |
,ncy of the court. But l suppose some
,ne has undertaken to defend him?"
Another shrewd glance.