Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-07-24
bureau duty, where they did not wan,

His wounds made him still and sore: nc
couldn't drill or parade. 1t transpire.
that he had no full uniform, and his
first and only frock-coat had been let ou
to the last shred and was still too tigh'
for him. Then some queer yarns began
to be told. He was quasi executor fol
three officers who had died intcstat"
md who had little TO bcqueath any
how. He mad nursed them in their las,
illness, and such items of their property
as had not by medical orders been con
demned and burned he had for sale
Under the regulations the major was thu
proper custodian OF the effects of de
ceased officers, but the major was him
self almost victim and had been sen
north to recupcrate after q long ant
desperate struggle. On an occasion wher
he simply had to appear in full uniform
Close turned out in plumed felt hat
sash, and epaulets which. when qucs
toned, he said were the late Capt
Stones, and so was the coat. Ifnobody
could be found to buy them, he would
but he did not mean to buy "such truck
until 1t was absolutely necessary.
Respect for his fighting ability in the
field and his fearless service during the
epidemic prevented any "crowding" OF
the old fellow, though there was no lit
tie talk about the habits he was disclos'
ing. The bachelors ana grass wild
overs" Of the infantry and battery
started u mess, but Cloge declined to
Join. He explained that he preferred
to board with French creole family
a short distance away, as he "wished
to learn the language" They gave q
big dance Christmas week and taxed
every officer ten dollars. Close had
nursed Pierce through the fever, and
Pierce was treasurer of the fund. Close
was accounted for as paid" both fol-
the original ten and the subsequent as
sessment of five dollars that was found
necessary, but II came out of Pierce's
pocket, for Close begged off one and
refused the other, and Pierce would not
tell until It was dragged out of him by
direct questioning months after. II
transpircd that Close went only once
day to the humble dwelling, four blocks
away, where he preferred to board. III
assiduouSly visited the kitchen Of Com
pany &c" at breakfast and dinner time
to see that those meals were properly
cooked and served. and there could bt
no question that he personally sam
pied" everything they had. He wore
the clothing issued TO the men, unit
the colonel insisted on his appearing II
proper uniform. and then had to rebukt
him for the condition of the paper col
lar and frayed black bow that were at
tached to the neckband of his flame
shirt. Tie wore the soldier shoe, ant
swore that no other kind suited his foot
lie had To write letters occasionally. but
when he did so he repaired to the com
pany Office or that Of the post quarter
master, and not one cent did he spent
for stamps.
Indeed il became subject OF unofli
tial investigation whether he spent
cent for anything. lie bought nothing
ut Finkbcin's, the suffers. where. in
deed, he was held in high disfavor, hi
war record and fever service to thu
contrary Notwithstanding. lie never
touched : card. never played billiards
and never invited anybody to drink
even when his brother officers called
upon hirl in squads of two or three Il
see IL hc would. That he had no nreju
dice against the practice. then rs uni
,crsal in the service as 1t is now rare
was apparent from the tact that HI
never refused to take drink when in
vited. yet never seemed even faintl.
.xhilaratcd. you nigh. as well pou
whisky in knot-hole," said the sore
headed squad Of youngsters that will
malice prepense had spent many hour
end dollars one night in the attempt Il
get Old Close "loaded."
He had to go to town occasionally OF
board Of survey or similar duty, ant
always sought seat in somebody's am
bulance 10 save the nickel for six-mil
tide in the tram car. When he had 4
take the car lie would wait for some o
the youngsters, well knowing the.
would p " his fare. Once when three o
them "pnt up o job on him" by tn
declaration after they we're well oil
their way. that not man in the part.
had less than q five.dollar bill, he OF
iercd to change the five, but refused I,
lend nickel unless they gave thei
word, on honor. that they were no
striving TO make convenience OF him
But the "closest" figuring he had eve
done was that which he carried out 10
several months ut the expense OF cer
tain bank. Most OF the officers on get
ting their pay check towards the ell,
OF the month would take it to the near
est bank or broker and get 1t cashed
Those were cnsy-going days in the pa.
department. Many time the impe
cunious subs would prevail on the majo
or his clerk to let them have their sti
pend week before II became due, IN
It would be spent before 1t was full
earned. Close never spent a cent, tina
anyone could see or hear OF, but b
was on hand to draw II as early n
any OF the rest. lie would take hi
check and vanish. The total footinI
up Of his pay. rations, servants allow
ance, "fogy," and all, was one hundre'
and some dollars and sixty-eight cent,
They used no coin smaller than tn
nickel" five cents) in the south i
those days, ald II was the practice @
the banks and money-changers geneI
ally to give the customer the benefi
II the check called for more than hal
the value Of the nickel, otherwise :
hold II themselves. II the amount wer
SO cents the customer got only so;
II were SO cents he WINS paid IS. Thos
eN.oar, ,,,l,o l,an% o. honE oar0unt nm