Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-04-27
CAPTAIN CLOSE
BY CAPTAIN CHARLES KING.
lCopyright, 1894, by J. B. Lippincott Co..
X.-CONTINUED.

HSoPS1ASAGs AoS9S Wy - ~ A>APPAASOeo WI
X.-CONTINUED.
Lambert stood speeches. one instant.
Then, simply raising his forage cap, he
whirled about and left.
The boy was thinking of his OWL
mother when he tripped so lightly up
that worn old gravel path on his way
to inquire how he could be of service
to one whose dignity and sorrow and
suffering had so impressed him. He mad
donned his best uniform for the mis-
sion, and little dreamed how in so do,
ing he had rendered himself much the
more persona non grata. He, who could
not war upon women and children I'm.
der any circumstances, had not begun
to learn how bitterly the recent val
had borne upon the women of the south
or how, even so long after, they suffered
from it's effects. He had gone to of e1
The aid and protection of loyal heart
and a strong arm, and had not realized
that it was the very last succor Walton
arm were draped by the union blue.
Not ten minutes after his return, Gis-
comfted and dismayed, there rode up
the muddy, red bridlepath-fcr it was
little more-a broad-faced young fellow
who was attired in the clumsiest OF
''store clothing" and whose lean and
long-necked steed looked dele ction it.
self as his vigorous rider dislnounred
slung the reins over the gate post, and
after one sharp and warming survey OF
the silent negroes still lowering about
swung cheerily up the walk. To him
the old doors opened wide without a
summons, and eager hands were thrust
forth in welcome.
Lambert, hearing the first heavy
drops come humping on his canvas
roof, thought it was the rain that SC
quickly thinned the group of darlzies
on the road. He could hear the mule.
hoofs suffering away through the mud
as the rain came quicker and faster. but
not until several hours later did further
explanat ton dawn upon him. Then he
heard Burns and Watts in conversation
at the first sergeant's tent.
Did you see how the niggcrs kind O
lit out when he Cameo" asked Burns
Il haven't seen him around here since
August. Reckon he knows captains
away. He hates him like poison eve1
since cap interfered in that row he haC
with Parmelee."
Looks like a pleasant enough fellow
I'D rather back him than Parmelee ::ny
day. s far as looks go. What's he doing
1ere?'
Hes some kin to the old lady-they're
all related herea bouts-amd she's sem
for him to cone, probably, after las1
nights row."
'But they're talking all over the com
pany about Murphy's yarn--abou
there being some relative there~-some
man--last night. You heard it whe1
he talked to the lieutenant"
ooh, yes," answered Burns, evasively
"'I heard whot he had to say, but Riggs
shut him up short as soon as he wa!
sober enough to know what Murphy
was saying. Wait till Riggs tells hi:
side of the story to the lieutenant. Their
perhaps We'll know what brought Mr.
Barton Potts over here"
Lambert was up and at the door of hi:
tent in minute. "Did you say that
Mr.. Barton Potts was at the Walton
place now, sergeant?"
"Yes, SIR" answered Burns, whirlins
about in the mud and promptly salut
ing.
Then have some man let me know
when he comes out. wish to speal
to him. And if Riggs is sober enough
now, send him. here
Presently, looking moist, blear-eyed
and detected, the ex-trooper and ser
.geant was marched up through the pat
tering rain, and, with the big drops
trickling down from the visor of his
old war-pattern forage cap, stood sui
1en1y at the tent of his young com
anander. The guarding sentry, after the
fashion prevailing among some of the
regular infantry at the time, allowed
his rifle to topple forward from the
"carry" into thegrasp of the left hand
q foot or SO ii,$fronttof the right breast
and with this well-intended effort al
the rifle salute" of the COS, Private
Mulligan reported, ",r-3. f{G5 r
prisoner Riggs. sorr; to spake t.
the lieutenant" is<t{e;s rfEs +.....<..>,as
It waS the first time Lambert had con
Quoted AN investigation of the kind, and
he had no precedent to guide him. - 7
ii. Riggs" said he, ''Murphy tells m.
your going to town last night was Al
the instance of some relative of Mrs
Walton's, who asked you to- do then
+ q service Vas that true?" *&8$ p VI
st was, sir :..S = ;. T.. 49, D..
4 -s.Thcn he will Doubtless be glad t.
come forward and exonerate you, Q: a
least explain yonr condnct. in the earl.
evyning. Your later conduct only ,