The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-06-20
PRIVATE BROWN.
BY CAPTAIN JACK CRAWFORD.
CTHE POET SCOUT

Copyrighted 1904, by CAPTAIN JACK CRAWFORD.
All Rights Reserved.
Brown, the young artist of whom told
you"
private Brown, Ell? Ohio! see it
now. This is the young man who was
recently brought to my attention
through the proceedings Of court
martial, and | can understand why
Vandever cut and run when he saw
him approaching. He feared the mans
temper might again lose step, and the
dose be repeated. Eth, Sunshine?"
30, no, papa. Mr.. Vandever did not
know the young man was approaching
US. He chose to return to the fort by
another route, that is all"
That's all, eh? Well, you don't
know whether he saw him or not.
| am inclined to think he did. But
now for home. This Unsuitable, unrea-
sonable, tyrannical appetite of mine
demands immediate attention. thank
you, Brown, for the trouble | put you
to in chasing this runaway. YoA can
go your own way now. Come, daugh-
ter"
Instead of being trouble, sir, as
sure you it was pleasure to be able to
serve you in even so slight a manner"
Brown saluted the officer, raised his
cap to Alice and galloped away toward
the fort.
"Why, how Internally courteous the
fellow isl" said the colonel, gazing
( after the retreating figure with admir-
ing eyes. "And how soldierly his bear
ing. He's a handsome dog, too See
how he sits on that horse, daughter
how like knight of old he poses in
the saddle. believe Colby told me he
had him booked for promotion, and by
Jupiter I'll see that he doesn't forget it.
A pleasure to be able to serve me, eh?
| like that. No wonder he knocked
that popinjay off his dainty feet"
And Capt. Colby says he distin-
guished himself in several actions with
the Indians, papa"
distinguished himself? OF course
he did. My experienced old eyes can
not be fooled, Sunshine, and they see a
soldier in that mana soldier who will
do duty when he sees it. There, his
cap has fallen off. Now watch him.
See that mount? Precise! Precise! Sol
dierly in every move, just as mounted
in my younger days. Now, damme, I
need step-ladder and horse that
will stand as solid as the Rock of Ages
until get firm seat in the saddle"
Alice's face glowed with much pleas
ure to hear her father bestow such
praises upon her hero. Thinking the
opportunity favorable one to yet fur
Their advance him in the estimation Of
the colonel she said:
"And don't you remember, papa, he
is the man told you Of who was an
honored, respectable gentleman in civil
life, and who was induced to enlist
while in an irresponsible condition"
81 recall some such story, but the
army's full of martyrs, who all have
fairy stories to tell. You mustn't listen
to them, Sunshine"
But if his story should prove to be
true, papa, could not his discharge be
secured?"
discharge such man as that? Not
by jug full. We need more such men
when soldier material is so scarce. We
can't spare good soldier in these days
my dear Did the fellow ask you tc
plead for his discharge?"
mo, papa. On the contrary he said
he regarded his present condition as a
deserved punishment for wrong doing
in allowing himself to drink until ire
sponsible for his acts, and that he
would manfully serve his time and dc
his duty as soldier to the very best o.
his ability"
"Tut, tut. All moonshine. If he doe.
not desire discharge why do you ash
if one could be secured?"
Because feel that it is unjust tx
compel such a man to live life O.
servitude in the ranks when he would
be such a useful member of society, ant
| thought if there were possibility O
securing his release | would broacl
the subject to him and might gain hi
consent to be restored to his friends
I'm sure he has been punished enough
papa"
"You allow your sympathies to kicl
your Judgment into smithereens, grille
The fellow has been amusing himsel
telling you cock and bull story, ant
were you to go to him and hand him
: discharge he would laugh at you an,
= refuse to accept it. Pay no attention
to such chaff, daughter. Damme, il'
the fellows appearance, though, ant
I'll see Colby and give him a hint tina
there is good non-commissioned timbe
there"
The father directed the conversation
into other channels, but Alice felt ver
happy over the assurance that he had
feeling OF real admiration for tn
young soldier and might in future de
Z velop warm interest in him.
CHAPTER XII
e The following afternoon Alice rod
II down the mesa trail and her hear
= throbbed with pleasure when she note,
that Brown sat in his accustome
place, his sketch book on his knee
IS She approached him with a .milin
|. face and extended her hand when h
n rose to greet her.
"Worshiping at the shrine of art, q
y usual" she said, as he assisted her t
dismount. And what study have 20
chosen to-day? But before we discus
d your picture | have something YER
pleasant to tell you. Papa thinks yo
n model soldier"