Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-08-07
) like for ak weeks that Close gov.

ningham into shape, but there was non
whatever OF reforming Corporal Cur
ningham. lie was not oil bad, however
for by evening he began to realize tn
extraordinary solecism OF which he hal
been guilty in the morning; so he wa
actually ashamed TO go near the lieu
tenant, and never even repeated his mes
sage to Burns until nine o'clock hut
come and the captain hadn't. The
Burns went over to the lieutenant
tent, where the youth sat wrapped II
his overcoat, trying gloomily and Will
stiffened fingers to write some letter
by the light Of single candle.
~ suppose, sir, the captain meant Il
ride the mule back himself. lie coult
have got to Potts place before six ant
back here by eight, easy. Tisn't likel,
they'd ask him to stay to supper. In
only afraid Of his gettin' into q row
and him all alone"
81 wish he could have been content Il
send for the mule instead Of going" sale
Lambert. "Any Of the men could have
gone, suppose"
swell, sir, the trouble is that hc'd
have had to send the men on inuleback
or else pay their fares over on the cars
The captain has pass, and 1t doesn't
cost him anything; and he's afraid tc
let the mule be gone over night It's
mighty easy losin' 'em among all these
niggers, and they might charge it up
against the captains pay. The captain
llas stuck close to camp so far as these
night posses have been concerned, but
he'd hunt the whole state for lost
blanket or bnyonet. And he always
goes alonc-and gets what he's after,
and he's had no trouble worth mention
in; but that fellow Potts was impudent
to him to-day, and he was slow bout
seein' it at first; now, though, he's got
his mad up and gone over there to get
the mule and satisfaction both; that's
what I'm afraid OF, sir. He dashed
Parmclcee to-day for bein' coward,
and-beggin' your pardon, lieutenant
though the captain amt much on mill
itary. he fires up like n flash at anything
like insult to the flag"
do you think 1t advisable to send
after the captain?" asked Lambert,
after moments reflection.
"There's no way we can send, sir,
'cept afoot or behind four-mule team
in an army wagon. We only had that
one saddle mule"
Lambert stepped to the tent door and
looked out. The sky was overcast and
the darkness thick. A wind was rising
and whirling the sparks from the cook
fire over by the road, and from the pipes
Of the men sitting smoking and chatting
in little groups about camp. Some had
come to him ut nightfall and sought
permission to go in to the village, and
he had felt obliged to refuse. After the
events of the day it seemed wisest to
hold them at camp. and he had so in.
formed Sergt. Burns. AS he stood there
now looking uneasily about, first at
the dark threatening sky, then Mt the
darker shadows about camp, Lambert
thought he caught sight of three or
four forms, vague and indistinct, hurry
ing along the bank beyond the fire.
"Who are those men? ?" he asked.
~ don't know, sir. warned the COM
pany TO remain in camp. I'll see." And
Burns turned quickly and made run
for the opposite end OF the company
grounds. Some Of the men started up
and stood gazing cxpectantly after him,
and the chat and laughter suddenly
ceased. The shadowy forms had dis.
so, by this time. had Burns.
Then there came the sound Of his power
full voice, out by the road:
Halt there, you men! Come back
here!"
Then followed o rush and scramble
IN the bushes, and the sound Of foot.
falls, rapid and light, dying away in the
darkness. Then some low laughter and
comment among the men. Then Burns
'ame back, and, without waiting to re.
port. sternly ordered: Fall I'M"
Knocking the ashes out OF their pipes
md buttoning their overcoats-a thing
hey might have overlooked before the |
essen Of the day-the soldiers slowly |
'beyed the unusual summons. Burns |
rot his lantern and quickly called the
oil. Four men failed to respond. Leav.
ng the company still in line, the SER
cant FASTENED to the tents for the
.bsentees. Two Of the number were
ound placidly sleeping. Twowere away
ntirely-Privates Riggs and Murphy.
If I'm not mistaken ! saw three
said Lambert, Us the sergeant
made his report. What would the cap
ain do II he were here ?-scnd a patrol?"
"The captain never had night roll.
all, sir; but he wouldn't send n patrol.
hats only q good way of not ketchin'
len, unless they're too drunk to run.
wouldn't be Of much consequence,
My for that MAJ Riggs bein' one of
I'M. He's u troublesome case. II the
eutennnt approves Of it, I'll sent Sergt.
Vatts and couple ofgood men without
rms. They can find whoever's out.
That don't like about II is that some
ody jumped the fence into the Walton
lace"
"The old homestead across the road?"
"Yes, sir. There's been some trouble
etwcen the captain and the Walton
lmily. He ordered the men never to
nter the Enclosure on any pretext, the
ID lady made such a row bout IT,"
"Who lives there? Surely they ought
} welcome our sending responsible men
'cr to drive off our renegades."
swell, don't know bout that, sir"
i'd the sergeant, with nervous laugh.
4 there's anybody on earth the cap
inns afraid Of. it's old Mrs. Walton.
he's q terror. Nothin' Of the unpro-
cted female about her, sir, though she
I'd her daughters live nlone there. ,