Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-07-17
were no objections, and he, too, looked

| II guess That's about tho best we ca
do" said Close, slowly. "Tain't VIII;
you've been accustomed to. but it's WIFI
] always eat. Send us up something
sergeant--cnough for two; I'll take n
other snack with the lieutenant"
A In less than five minutes Lambel
and his new comrnde were seated by
little fire on which n tin coffcepot wa
kissing, and with broad pine shcl
upon their knees. from big tin mugs an
broad tin plates, were discussing
smoking repast OF pork and beans, I
the accompaniment of bread and siru
and crcnmless coffee. "Tts the way
always prefer to live when I'm in tn
field" said Close, "and It only costs 20
nine dollars month"
Lambert was too hungry not to rel
ish even such breakfast. He fnncie
he heard something that sounded great
ly like n suppressed chuckle on tn
part Of the soldier cook ut his senior
remark upon the cost OF living In tn
field, but sensations and experience
were crowding thickly upon him nn'
there was little time for tribes.
Through the good Offices Of Scrgt
Burns. a wall tent was pitched tina
morning for "the new lieutenant" Il
the left Of the domicile Of the compnn.
commander; q wooden bunk wa
knocked up in IN "a" tent in the back
and Lambert began unpacking hi
trunk and setting up housekeeping.
II suppose I can get what furniture
want In town." said he to Close.
depends on what you want" replied
the senior, warily, 'and whether YOU
care to throw away your money
What'd you want to get? They vii
skin the last cent out of you there al
Cohen's."
II merely wanted some cheap trucl,
for camp, and some washstand flxings,'
Lambert answered, falling into the YER
nacular of his comrade with the ease Of
one just out of the national school
where every known American dialect
can be heard-"things can throw
away when we leave"
Close was silent moment. II can let
you have everything you need, Y you
amt particular bout their bein' new.
They're just rs good us anything you
can buy, and won't cost you near so
much" Then, after little hesitation;
"Thcy amt mine TO give, or I'd let yc,i
have them for nothing"
Lambert had precious little money
left, even after drawing his November
pay in New Orleans; but he had n big
account to collect, for In those
days nothing was paid to the young
graduate In advance. even though he
had to find his way by the Isthmus to
the mouth of the Columbia. He thanked
his comrade, and by evening was put in
possession Of an odd lot Of camp furni-
turc, some items of which were in good
repair and others valuable only us relics
Of the war. A camp mattress and
some chairs bore the name OF Tighe,
md the soldier who carried them in re-
marked to his chum: "Thcy didn't burn
after the lieutenant died,
after all, did thcy?" From which Lam
bert drew inference that the property
IN question had formerly belonged to
IN officer Of that name who succumbed
% the epidemic Of the previous year.
But the principal question remaining
was that of subsistence. War
ng and Pierce had told him that in all
probability he would find that Close
vas living on soldier fare and had no
mess arrangements" whatever. This,
IS we have seen. proved to be the case-
ind Lambert inquired II there were no
possibility Of finding board. "Yes,"
aid Close; "AIr. Parmelee, the deputy
lives up the road about half
nile, and he told me to say he'd be glad
o accommodate you." Lambert
nnched in camp at noon, and about
hree o'clock came forth from his tent
TO the throat in his handsome
V fitting uniform, his forage-cap
ocked jauntily over his right eye. and
pair of white gloves In his hand. A
oliicr slouching across TIE open space
l front shifted to the opposite hand
he bucket he " as carrying and saluted.
lose surveyed his trim subnltern with
ut changing n muscle of his face.
"What do they charge you extra for |
hem buttons?" he finally inquired.
ambert said he didn't know. They |
ere on the coat when It came from the
,ilor's. Would the captain kindly di-
,ct him to Mr.. Parmelee's and permit
i'm to go thithcr? The captain gravely
lid he need not ask permission just to
ave camp--even the men didn't do
gave him the needed instruc-
ons, winding up by saying: "Got your
istol?" Lambert answered that he
ever carried one.
"You'll have TO, here" said Close, cor
= out OF fashion entirely. I amt got
ne to lend, but II you've mind TO pay
IS than cost I've got one that will just
lit you, strap and holster complete"
! five minutes the trade was made, and
imbert had only eleven dollars left
hen he started to hunt up Mr.. Par
elee.
Close watched the erect figure Of
e young fellow rs he stepped briskly
way. So did the first sergeant. Mid
~ across the open space between the
nts half n dozen of the men were
uatting, in the bright sunshine, pipes
full blast, engaged in game Of cards
Mt lacked suspiciously like draw
ker, gray blanket being outsprend
ID little piles Of while field beans
corating its outer edge ct different
ints. Surrounding the players were
rhnps dozen spectators, in various
stumes more or less soldieily. At
yht of Mr.. Lambert in his trim froclk
AZ some Of the number faced half
wards him; some, rs though en-
began to edge AWAY. The
mblers calmly continued their game.