Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-01-29
VII.

turned, and barely IL when he again
set forth. This time q sergeant and
ten picked men went with him, nobody
but Close knew whittier. II may be
gone two days, lieutenant" said he, in
the laborious use of the title which
among regulars "to the manor born"
had long been replaced by Mr." and
had not Lambert asked for instructions
none probably would have been given.
OF his adventures during the day he
said not word. He brought back the
mule, and that was enough. The first
thing Lambert and Burns knew Of his
return was the sound of his voice at
the wagon, informing the guard that
he wanted coffee and something to
eat. Then, paying only vague atten-
ton to Lambert's congratulations on
his safe return, he told Burns to get o
detachment ready at once, then dis
appeared within the dark interior Of
his tent, leaving Lambert standing in
some embarrassment and chagrin OUT
side. Looking to see if his strong box
is all safe" whispered the first SER
| geant. as he came up. sits under the
boards-under his cot-and he never
lets anybody come in, not even the mar
shall"
It was full five minutes before the
captain reappeared. He struck nolight
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. HOWE
| 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.
wrathfully, seating himself at the desk
for signature.
81 had been told I should find some
splendid old oaks among the rank and
file" hazarded Lambert, after pause,
and thinking his commander should
give some directions in the case.
"Old oaks? Old soaks, most like .
was the disdainful answer" special
ly Riggs. He come from the cavalry
Why, I've had them two fellows tied
up by the thumbs three times since
last March; and it hain't hurt 'em no
more'n if they were cast iron. Better
keep guard over the mules while
I'm away, sergeant-or, rather, lieu.
tenant; you see, amt use to havin'
anybody but the sergeant. Oh! Now
bout them mileage papers O yourn
You said not to send 'em. Why not?'
you've made out charge of some
sixty-five dollars for transportation Of
n servant, sir; I brought no servant
} with me-"
whats the difference? The Law
lows it. Every officers entitled to {
!, servant. And if he does his own worl
he's entitled to what the servant would
get. You didn't black your boots OF
the way, did you? You had a servant
! do it. He was with you on the train
porter of the sleeping-car, wasn't he
\ never go in the durn things myself
but you did, I'll warrant. Well, 20,
} paid him out of your pocket, every
) time you changed cars or boat"
"That may be, sir; but can't sigl
I transportation of servant when l pais
\ no such sum-
) "Then how're you to get your none,
back ?-the dimes and dollars you'v,
given to porters and walters on thu
way? Every officer know would sigl
that certificate without question, ant
5 every quartermaster would pay ii
Capt. Warren came with you to head
: quarters. at least. What d'you bet h
y hasn't drawn servants transportation
You think it over, lieutenant. There
no sense in you robbin' yourself thi
way. Write down to barracks, 4 yo
like, and see what they say at head
quarters. They'll tell you just wha
I do"
,"I'll sign the accounts without tina
and get the mileage for myself" sal
Lambert. 81 need the money. The
if it's allowable and proper can co
lect for servant later"
Not much you can't. There's wher
you show your ignorance. Then til
government would make you fight tie
years for it, even if you'd brought
servant with you. The way is to e.
it first and let them stop it if it's wronl
But here, can't fool away time a
gum simple thing like that. I've 81
to be miles away before midnight, an
no matter who comes and inquire
you don't know where we've gone. No
you won't need any commissary funt
or anything while I'm away. Jul
pay cash and take receipts if you bu
vegetables for the company"
"You forget, sir, that my money
gone"
"Sure you hadn't anything but whit
was in that pocketbook? Then, Sc
geant, you do it, and keep account"
"But, excuse me, captain" said Lar
bert, flushing, ~ myself will net
money. I must find some place
board. Keep those mileage accoun
as security, if you like, but let me ha
twenty dollars"
"Dut you hain't signed them; they
no good"
"Tll settle that" said Lambert, shar
ly; and, taking pen, he drew lii
through the item for transportation +
servant and altered the figures of t
total accordingly, then, still -standi,
, and bending over the desk, slashed /
signature with sputtering pen up
the paper. Close carefully scrutiniz
the sheet, compared it with it's dup
cate when that, too, was similarly Fl
ished. and slowed both away in To-
/ envelope. "Sure you've got to ha
twenty?" he asked, as a soldier stu
his head inside the tent door, retir
precipitately at sight of the junior lie
tenant. and then. from without, O