Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-08-14
VII.

set forth. This time q sergeant and
ten picked men went with him, nobody
but Close knew whittier. Il may be
gone two days, lieutenant" said he. in
the laborious use of the title which
among regulars ITO the manor born"
had long been replaced by Mr." and
had not Lambert asked for instructions
none probably would have been given.
or his adventures during the day he
said not word. lie brought back the
mule. aud that was enough. The first
thing Lambert and Burns knew of his
return was the sound of his voice nj
the wagon, informing the guard that
he wanted coffee ard something TO
eat. Then. paying only vague atten-
ton 10 Lambert's congratulations on
his safe return. he told Burns to get q
detachment ready ut once, then dis
appeared within the dark interior OF
his tent. leaving Lambert standing in
some cmbarrass ment and chagrin out
side. Looking 10 see il his strong box
Is all safe" whispered the first SER
geant. rs he came up. ats under the
boartls-under his cot--and he never
let's anybody come in, not even the mar
shall"
Ii was full five minutes before the
captain reappeared. lie struck no light
meantime. but could be heard fumbling
around in the darkness. When he came
forth he had some papers in his hands.
"We'll go TO your tent, sergeant" he
said. Your desk is handler. How're
YOU got along, lieutenant?"
1.-TWO men are out, sir; Riggs and
Murphy"
"Dam blackguards, both Of EN-
specially Riggs; almost the oldest SOL
dier in the company, too" said Close.
wruthfully. seating himself ut the desk
and beginning to arrange the papers
for signature.
~ had been told I should find some
splendid old oaks among the rank and
file" hazarded Lambert, after a pause.
and thinking his commander should
give some directions in the case.
'Old oaks! Old soaks, most like"
was the disdainful answer" Special
" Riggs. lie come from the cavalry.
Why. I've had them two fellows tied
up by the thumbs three times since
last March; and il hain't hurt en- no
more'n II they were cast iron. Better
keep a guard over the mules while
I'm away, sergeant-or, rather. lieu
tenant; you see, amt use TO hnvin'
anybody but the sergeant. Oh! Now
bout them mileage papers O. yourn.
You said not to send en-. Why not?"
you've made out charge Of some
sixty-five dollars for transportation of
n servant, sir; brought no servant
with me-"
whats the difference? The law
lows il. Every officers entitled TO
servant. And IL he does his own work
he's entitled TO what the servant would
get. You didn't black your boots on
the way, did you? You had servant
do IL. lie was with you on the train
porter of the sleeping-car, wasn't he?
never 60 in the durn things myself,
but you did, I'll warrant. Well, you
paid him out Of your pocket, every
time you changed cars or boat"
THAT may be, sir; but can't sign
any such claim as sixty dollars for
transportation Of servant when paid
no such sum-"
"Then how're you to get your money
back ?-the dimes and dollars you've
given to po-ters and walters on the
way? Every officer know would sign
that certificate without question, and
every quartermaster would pay II.
Capt. Warren came with you to head
quarters. at least. What d'you bet he
hasn't drawn servants transportation?
You think It over, lieutenant. There's
no sense in you Robin yourself this
way. Write down to barracks, Z you
like. and see what they say ut hend-
quarters. They'll tell you just what
] do"
I'll sign the accounts without that,
and get the mileage for myself" said
Lambert. II need the money. Then
II it's allowable and proper cnn coll
lect for servant Inter-"
"Not much you can't. There's where
you show your Ignorance. Then the
government would make you fight ten
years for II, even II you'd brought a
servant with you. The way Is to get
Il first and let them stop II II it's wrong.
But here. ! can't fool away time ar
gum simple thing like that. I've got
70 be miles awny before midnight. and.
no matter who comes and inquiries,
you don't know where we've gone. Now
you won't need any commissary funds
o. anything while I'm away. Just
pay canh aud fal,e Fsrelpta Y you bay
FffsieblsI le1 u, oompany.r