Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-04-28

"Mny oicn't you DESERT! Inc
familiarity of the man had diopped
to the banter of comradeship. mo
no; 1 know that. You COUNT do
a dishonorable thing like that. viii
you come up the colonel's house this
afternoon and read TO himI"
1t was a very pleasant hour for the
man. 1t was rest and recreation for
the colonel. Dorothy sat beside the
window and listened to him. He had
selected book of alternating sketches
and poems. Thay we're easy to listen
to. They were pleasant to remember.
"That man is a good soldier" said
the major. He is brave and full
of resources. !"
"If he has education en- ough he
might stand examination for promo
ton to a lieutenantcy, if he has been
in the army long enough"
"He couldn't as long as | am an
officer, said Lieutenant Gay. Gle
shot at me that morning aftee Piutes
jumped us.
"If l had had my way he would
have hit you," cried ihe commanding
office, "You are miserable coward,
Gay"
The commanding officer had seen
long service. He had an uncommon
hold on those who graduated from
the army into the halls of Congress
He went to Washington with mis-
sion as soon as the summer brought
him healing.
Sergeant Larsen was ordered to ap-
pear before a board and pass exam
nation. He acquitted himself SO well
in mathematics, in history, in
tactics, in language-that at the end
they asked him questions with de-
ference.
It was Lieutenant Larsen-by or
der of the Secretary of War, ap.
proved by the President.
Then came the climax.
Larsen asked for Dorothy's hand
i'm marriage.
The colonel commanding refused
him in rage; berated HIM for pre-
sumipg Migrate, and ordered hin
out of his house. Then he returned
TO his old admiration for Lieutenant
Gay. This putting up a private sold
ier always was bad. 1t made him
forget his or gin.
Gay amused the colonel by playing
cards.
1t was against regulation to gam
bic. But there was a game over there
ia the dark room above the store
where the major and the captain anc
lieutenant found some more thar
pastime.
The colonel knew of it, and die
not forbid 1t. Then he went owe.
and looked on. Then the old passion
Tor play, which had slept since the
tedious days before Vicksourg, came
back. and he took hand just fol
that once.
He felt temptation tugging at him
and he prayed for an order, for al
Indian uprising, for plague, to keel
him from yielding.
One evening he tapped at the darl
room door. The subdued noise with
in was hushed to silence. A seconC
knock and they opened the door
He sat down by the other three anc
they dealt him a hand.
'No, | only wanted to look on" h'
said. II am not going to play an.
more, and | am going to order It,
At ii he owed more than his pay
would amount to in year.
Another light knock came at tht
door. Another silence followed it
A secondA knock and the major re
spohded.
1T was lieutenant Larsen. He wa
in citizens clothes.
"If you have no objection l vii
join you," he said, smiling.
"You should be gentleman enougl
not to ccme where you are no
wanted" said the older lieutenant.
"You should be man enough t,
know you are violating orders N,
lawless man can stand on pedesta
above another. Deal me hand" I"
The colonel sat baea. He was ou
of the game-dazed, bewildereG, al
most unbalanced.
Larsen won IN one hend what Ga.
had been an hou- N winning.
Presently Gay had three again
and he made it costly to play. Lar
sen drew two cards with him and be
one dollar.
Gay raised the limit aud wa
raised IN turn. He was mad beyonc
the point ot prudence. He touched
the limiL again, only to see the lnso
lent Larsen initiate him.
Gay had four queens ond an ace
Larsen had four kings and van
pushed him.
Gay had no more money; ohe los
his watch. 1t was Larsens deal. Th,
elder lieutenant picked up a ful
hand.
a can't play it, he cried IN fran
tic evaporation. Il have no NOR
money"
"Put up yo1r coat" said tn,
younger lieutenant calmly"
dts q show down. he said anc
spread out three mines and pair"
dts show down" repeated Lar
sen calmly, and spread out three ten'
and pair.
Cav walked home in his shir