Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1897-08-20
CAPTAIN CLOSE
nv CAPTAIN CHARLES KING.
copyright, 1894, by J. B. Lippincott Col

copyright, 1894, by J. B. Lippincott Col
X.-CoNT1NUED.
Lambert stood speeches. one instant.
Then, simply raising his forage cap, he
whirled about and left.
The boy was thinking of his own
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 had
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 war
had borne upon the women of the south,
or how, even so long after, they suffered
from it's effects. He had gone to offer
the aid and protection of loyal heart
and strong arm, and had not realized
thatitwas the very last succor Walton
would seek, so long as both heart and
arm were draped by the union blue.
Not ten minutes after his return, Gis-
oomfted 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
|ong-necked steed looked dele ction it.
self as his vigorous rider dislnounred,
slung the reins over the gate post, and,
sfter one sharp and warning 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 SO
quickly thinned the group of darkies
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
explanation dawn upon him. Then he
heard Burns and Watts in conversation
at the first sergennt'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 ever
since cap interfered in that row he had
with Parmelee.''
Looks like a pleasant enough fellow.
I'D rather back him than Parmelee my
day, s far as looks go. What's he doing
ss 49,. .o,, : 49, b =, . -, ,,,,,- +,.,.r.
ell related hereabouts-and she's sent
for him to cone, probably, after last
nights row."
~"But they're talking all over the COM
pany about Murphy's yarn--about
there being some relative there-some
man-last night. You heard it when
he talked to the lieutenant"
"Oh, yes" answered Burns, evasively,
Il heard what he had to say, but Riggs
shut him up short as soon as he was
sober enough to know what Murphy
was saying. Wait till Riggs tells his
side Of the story to the lieutenant. Then
perhaps We'll know what brought Mr..
Barton Potts over here"
Lambert was up and at the door of his
tent in = minute. Ibid you say that
Mr.. Barton Potts was at the Walton
place now, sergeant?"
Yes, SIR" answered Burns, whirling
about in the mud and promptly salut-
ing. - .--.-'s,.tr
Then have some man let me know
when he comes out. wish to speak
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
trckling down from the visor of his
old war-pattern forage cap, stood sui
Nnly at the tent of his young COM
mander. The guarding sentry, after the
fashion prevailing among some OF the
regular infantry at the time, allowed
!! MS rifle ts topple forward from the
carry" into the grasp of the left hand,
efoot or SO III front of the right breast,
and with this well-intended effort at
the rifle salute of the COS, Private
Mulligan reported.
Prisoner Riggs. sorr; to spake to
the lieutenant"
1t was the first time Lambert had con-
quoted an Investigation of the kind. and
ne had no precedent to guide him.
Riggs" said he, Murphy tells me
your going to town last night was at
me instance of some relative of Mrs.
"alton's, who asked you to do them
service. Vas that true?"
1T was. sir"
Then he will doubtless be glad to
ome forward and exonerate you, o: at
EAST explain your conduct in the early
svening. Your later conduct only Q