Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-06-07

sounded and our lights had been put
out we could see the suffers moving
about arranging their goods for busi-
ness.
slept late tho next morning, and
was awakened by the return Of my
tent mate, the battery bugler, who al
ready had been hunting the early worm
at the suffers. lie was much excited
Gomez said he, get up, quiclsl The
sutler Is open and has fine stock of
goods that are going fast, very fast"
And he laughed PLEASANTLY at the recol-
lection of good joke lie sat down,
unbuttoned his blouse, and took out n
miscellaneous assortment of plumber -
a fancy wool shirt, several plugs OF to-
bacco, n can of Holsters and some mo-
lasses cakes.
Time was far too precious that morn
Ing to waste In boiling coffee for break
fast. So we made n light and whole
some meal of canned lobster and mo-
lasses cake, and then started out to in
terview the sutler.
Quite a crowd had already gathered;
batteries of artillery and regiments OF
infantry were camped all around, and
men were coming from nll directions
They were, indeed, "rallyiug from the
hillside, rallying from tho plain" and
all Of them on their way to the suffers.
Business was just booming and tho
suffers and their guards were all kept
busy passing out goods and making
change. | stood back for q timo and
looked on. The suffers were SO eager
10 oil %
their caution relaxed. IL a man called
for gloves, wool shirts, or anything he
would naturally wish TO examine or
try on, box containing several was
placed on the counter; then, instead of
watching them until selection was
made and the goods paid for, the sutler
would yield TO the importantly of some
one else, and while waiting on him he,
Of course, could not keep his eye on
the shirt or glove box. The conse-
quence was that parties in rear reached
through between those in front, at the
counter, the box was very quickly emp
tied and the goods concealed.
Inside the tent, and a little to one
side, several men were trying on cav
airy boots, and when they found a pair
10 fit kept them on, and, taking advan-
tage of the hustle and confusion, some
of them were able TO get out without
paying, but left their old boots in ex-
change for new.
On each side Of the tent was n flap
that buttoned back, forming small
windows, and just under one of them
was piled pyramid of boxes of cigars.
They could be easily reached from the
outside by putting an arm through
the opening, and the way they walked
offw as a caution. They were nearly
all carried off when the cavalry guard
happened to see box lifted through
and at once stepped up TO close the
opening. Reaching his arm through
TO the outside he was in the act OF uns
buttoning the flaps when some one
placed the lighted end OF a cigar
against the back of his hand. 1t was
cruel sport, but Just suited the wild
recklessness Of the crowd, and they
laughed at and chaffed the victim, who,
fairly wild with rage and pain, drew
his Colts revolver and swore he would
shoot the man who did 1t II he could
only find out who 1t was OF course he
couldn't find out who 1t was, and he
had TO simmer down.
just inside the tent, and near the rear
entrance, were several barrels that con-
tained either cakes or crackers. A man
who was inside waiting TO try on boots.
while facing the sutler, reached back
his foot behind him and pushed one of
the barrels over. As IL fell II ralSed the
skin pretty nearly all Off the shin of a
man who stood In tho doorway, and
dropped on his foot Frantic with pain,
he lifted it Off, and gave 1t twist and
Kick that rolled 1t outside the door.
He quickly pulled up his trousers leg
10 see the extent of his damages, and
when he saw how the skin was torn and
rolled upin beautiful little punches, and
the nice, warm, red blood stood out in
beads. or trickled down his shin, he
hoped around on one foot and ripped
and tore and cursed
While one act OF the circus was go-
ing on inside the tent, another was
taking place without. No sooner had the
barrel rolled out than 1t was grabbed
by two men, carried away short
distance and broken open The crack
ers were turned out on the ground, and
the men scooped them up and carried
them away. Several of the men took
of their blouses and used them as bags.
All RFonnd the tent the fun went on.