The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1897-07-30
were no objections; and he, too, looked

were no objections; and he, too, locked
expectantiy at the senior officer
81 guess that's about the best we can
do" said Close, slowly. 'sTain't what
you've been accustomed to, but it's what
l always eat. Send rs up something,
sergeant-enough for two; I'll lake an
other snack with the lieutenant"
And in less than five minutes Lambert
and his new comrade were seated by
little fire ON which a tin coffeepot was
kissing, and with broad pine shelf
upon their knees. from big tin mugs and
broad tin plates, were discussing a
smoking repast of pork and beans, to
the accompaniment of bread and sirup
and creamless coffee. Its the way
always prefer to live when I'm in the
field" said Close, land it only costs you
nine dollars month"
Lambert was too hungry not to rel
ish even such a breakfast. He fancied
he heard something that sounded great
ly like suppressed chuckle on the
part of the soldier cook at his seniors
remark upon the cost of living in the
field, but sensations and experiences
were crowding thickly upon him and
there was little time for trif1es.
Through the good Offices of Sergt-
Burns, a wall tent was pitched that
morning for "the new lieutenant" to
the left of the domicile of the company
commander; wooden bunk was
knocked up in an "a" tent in the back,
and Lambert began unpacking his
trunk and setting up housekeeping.
Il suppose 1 can get what furniture
want in town." said he toClose.
depends on what you want" replied
the senior, warily, land whether you
care to throw away your money.
What'd you want to get? They viii
skin the last cent out of you there at
Cohen's'
Il merely wanted some cheap truck
for camp, and some washstand fiXings,"
Lambert answered, falling into the ver-
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 a moment. "I can let
you have everything you need. f you
amt particular bout their bein' new.
They're just as good as anything you
can buy, and won't cost you near so
much" Then, after little hesitation:
''They amt mime to give, or I'd let you
have them for nothing"
Lambert had precious little money
left, even after drawing his November
pay in New Orleans; but he had big
-
! 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 1T
possession of an odd lot of camp furni-
ture, some items of which were in good
repair and others valuable only as relics
| of the war. "A camp mattress and
some chairs bore the name of Tighe,
| and the soldier who carried them in re-
marked to his chum: "They didn't burn
everything after the lieutenant died
| after all, did fhey?" From which Lam
bert drew Inference that the property
in question had formerly belonged to
an officer of that name who succumbed
tn the epidemic of the previous year.
But the principal question remaining
unsolved was thatoOf 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
''mcss 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 a
mile, and he told me- to say he'd be glad
to accommodate you Lambert
lunched in camp art moon, 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
a pair of white gloves in his hand. A
soldier slouchiog 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 muscle of his face.
What do they charge ycu extra for
them buttons?" he finally inquired
Lambert said he didn't know. They
were on the coat when it came from the
rect him to Mr.. Parmelee'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-
tions, winding up by saying: Loot your
pistol?" Lambert answered that he
never carried one.
you'll have to, here" said Close ~or
be out of fashion entirely. 1 amt got
one to lend, but if you've 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 he started to hunt up Mr.. Par
mefee.
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
sGuatting, in the bright sunshine, pipes
III full blast, engaged in game of cards
that looked suspiciously like draw
poker, a gray blanket being outspread
and little piles of white field beans
decorating its outer edge at different
points. Surrounding the players were
perhaps a dozen spectators. in various
costumes more or less soldieIly. At
sight of Mr.. Lambert in his trim frock
coat some of the number faced half