Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-01-15

everything after the lieutenant died,
after all, did they?" From which Lam
bert drew inference that the property
in question had formerly belonged to
an officer of that name who succumbed
to the epidemic of the previous year.
But the principal question remaining
unsolved was that of subsistence. War
ing and Pierce had told him that in all
probability he would find that Close
was living on soldier fare and had no
mess arrangements" whatever. This,
as we have seen, proved to be the case
and Lambert inquired if there were no
possibility of finding board. "Yes,"
said Close; "Mr. Parmelee, the deputy
marshal, lives up the road about half
mile, and he told me to say he'd be glad
to accommodate you.' Lambert
lunched in camp at noon, and about
three o'clock came forth from his tent
buttoned to the throat in his handsome
ly fitting uniform, his forage-cap
cooked jauntily over his right eye, and
pair of white gloves In his hand. A
soldier slouching across the open space
in front shifted to the opposite hand
the bucket he was carrying and saluted.
Close surveyed his trim subaltern with
out changing q muscle of his face.
What do they charge you extra for
them buttons?" he finally inquired.
Lambert said he didn't know. They
were on the coat when it came from the
tailor's. Would the captain kindly di-
rect him to Mr.. Parmclee's and permit
him to go thither? The captain gravely
said he need not ask permission just to
leave camp-even the men didn't do
that-and gave him the needed instruc-
lions, winding up by saying: got your
| pistol?' Lambert answered that he
never carried one.
You'll have to, here" said Close, cor
be out of fashion entirely. l amt got
one to lend, but if you've a mind to pay
less than cost I've got one that will just
suit YOU, strap and holster complete"
In five minutes the trade was made, and
Lambert had only eleven dollars left
when lie started to hunt up Mr.. Par
melee.
| Close watched the erect figure Of
the young fellow as he stepped briskly
away. So did the first sergeant. Mid
way across the open space between the
tents half a dozen of the men were
squatting, in the bright sunshine, pipes
III full blast, engaged in game of cards
that looked suspiciously like draw
poker, gray blanket being outspread
and little piles of white field beans
decorating its outer edge at different
points. Surrounding the players We're
perhaps dozen spectators. in various
costumes more or less soldielly. At
sight of Mr.. Lambert in his trim frocle
coat some of the number faced half
towards him; some, as though en-
barrassed, began to edge away. The
| gamblers calmly continued their game.
II the young officer had looked as
though he did not notice them, the
chances are that, though he passed
within ten feet of the group, no one
CT the party would, in proper and sol
dierly style, have noticed him, but Lam
bert had seen enough "slouching" for
one day, and his youthful soul was up
in arms. He looked squarely at the two
men nearest him as he rapidly ap-
preached, whereupon one of them nerv.
ously tugged at the sleeve of third
Others, after one furtive glance, pre-
tended they did not sec the coming
officer and became absorbed in the
game. Ten strides and he was opposite
the group and not hand had been
raised in salute, not a man was stand
saying not word, but the two men
nearest knew what was lacking, and
i'll shamefaced, shambling way
brought their hands up to the cap visor
One Of these was corporal, and twx
other non-commissioned officers were
among the players. For a moment
there was an embarrassed silence. Their
Lambert spolse-rather quietly, too, fol
Kim:
Corporal have these men never beer
taught the salute and when to use it 2
A sergeant among the players slowly
found his feet. Others seemed to try
tc stink behind their fellows. The
corporal turned red, looked foolish anc
only munbled inarticulately.
"What say you, sergeant?" inquired
Lambert
"Why, yes, sir" said scrgt. Mcbride
uncomfortably. $50 far as I'm con
cerned, I can honestly say l did mo-
see the lieutenant coming; but, to tel
the truth, sir, we've got out of the habit
of it in the company"
"Then all these men who are still
seated here know they should be W
and standing attention." asked Lam
bert, as coolly as he could, though hi!
blue eyes were beginning to flash. HI
had heard some tittering among thu
gamesters, two more of whom were nov
getting up.
YES, Sir; at least NEST of them do
:, Only, Capt. Close don't seem to mind
and"
"That'll dol am waiting for 70,
two," said Lambert. And the two who
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