Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-10-23

inflicting severe loss upon an over
whelming force Of hostile Indians, until
finally relieved by the arrivalof detach-
ment OF troops and volunteers success
fully and CALAMITY led by Lieut.. ]. n.
Lambert, -teenth infantry (wounded),
and Sergt. Dolan, Fourth cavalry.
Sergt. Walton, promoted within the
week, had been granted months fur
Tough as soon us able 10 travel, and with
his arm In sling had fastened home
ward, where within the forty-eight
hours succeeding his arrival he had
time and time again to tell his story Of
that fearful day. They had got with
in five miles OF the Caliente before dis
covering that only q smoldering ruin
remained of the stage station. Hear
ing from fleeing settlers Of the raid,
Col. Sweet had decided TO push for
ward ut top speed to reinforce the little
party OF defenders. The driver had
urged the same course, and the two
civilian passengers had naturally de-
INJURED. Then, when they found II too
late, they turned and strove to retrace
the road to Lampasas, were headed OIL
at dawn, but fought way to Withcr-
ellis old dug-out, the driver and two
soldiers being killed, Col. Sweet and the
corporal both shot in the attempt, and
the stage abandoned and burned. And
there in that sitting hole, without wa
ter for the wounded, they had fought
Off dash after dash OF the Indians; but
their ammunition was almost gone,
and only two men had any fight left in
them, when they heard the welcoming
crack OF the rcscucrs' rifles. Even then
the Indians hung about oil the long
afternoon and night, and Lambert got
his painful wound in heading O little
squad that ran the gauntlet TO neigh
boring spring for water for the fcvered
wounded. OF his own conduct Floyd
had little to say. ("What else did they
expect OF Walton?' was his mothers
comment. us bravery 40 rare an AZ
tribute in the federal army?") but he
could not say enough about young
Lambert. I'VE were fighting for our
lives; We had TO fight" he said; "but
he risked his to fetch us water. lsay
that young fellows trump" And he
flashed n significant glance at Katesie,
for Cousin Bart, with the imbecility Of
manhood, had let that domestic cat out
Of the bag. and then, once started, had
told more. Floyd Walton, under pledge
Of secrecy, was held spel-bound lis
tener to Cousin Bart the second night
after his arrival, when the rest Of the
family had gone to bed. Bart had
been celebrating his cousins deeds and
rejoicing over his return to the extent
OF tanging his tongue, but Floyd could
not trip him on his facts. IF you
don't believe me, you can ask the doc
tor-ask Col. scroggs--or Walton
he'll I've hyuh to-mawwo," said his in
formant. THAT'S the kind of Yank he
is, by Gawd, sub; an IL / thought they
was nav like him you bet I'd recon-
struct, too. But the Lawd don't make
too many like him, nor young Lambert,
either"
And when Floyd finally went to his
room that night after the low
ing visit to his mothers bedside, he sat
long at the open easement, gazing out
ON the soft, still beauty Of the moonlit
night, his heart touched ard thrilled
us II had not been for years, and his
pride humbed. While he, maynard
and forgetful Of their needs, had left
mother and sisters 10 struggle for
themselves, and had lost himself in vain
dreaming OF swect-faced girl who he
had early enough been warned WINS not
for him-while he. reckless, selfish,
weak, had abandoned himself to drink
and despair and then to the cold char
ity OF the world--it was an alien and an
enemy, an unconth soldier in the hated
blue, who had stood betv cen the strick-
en- and helpless ones at home and abso-
lutte want and privation. The good
angel who ministcred to them in their
distress. even when STIMULATING that
they should never know whence came
the needed aid. and who finally became
the purchaser" of the Gcsolate and
ruined place, thereby supplying the
means to make them so content and
comfortable now, was that creatur: OF
strong contrasts, Capt. Close.
Not until long after midnight did
Walton leave his scat by the open case-
ment and seek his pillow; but there
was another watcher whose vigil out
lasted his. In the little batch Of let
tiers brought by Cousin Dart from the
post Office that evening was one which
bore the Austin stamp and was adj
dressed in Lambert's hand. Reading II
hurriedly, Floyd had changed color
and thrust II in his pocket, Katesic
watching him with furtive eyes, yet
never trusting herself to a question.
II was Esther who eagerly demanded
news OF their absent friend. "Oh, yes,
he's getting better" Floyd admitted,
hut then faltcred. When was he COM
ing? oh, Lambert didn't say. The
doctors probably wouldn't let him
travel inst yet. The letter was main-
~ about-othcr mattcrs--obout Col.
Sweet, who didn't seem TO be doing
MS well us they could wish. His wife
was on the way to join him. Didn't
Lambert send any word or message?
No. lie probably wrote in n hurry.
And that night Miss Kntesle snt with
her dimpled chin buried in her pref
~ round arms, gazing long out upon
the flashing waters, sud, silent and
deeply troubled girl. There was some
thing in that letter that concerned her;
md how d!ngreeable she had been 10
Lambert! and she just knew II! and
Floyd was mean and wouldn't tell her!
At least this was the burden Of her
song when Mt two o'clock in the morn.