The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1897-07-16
.CAPTAIN CLOSE
BY CAPTAIN CHARLES KING.
Copyright. 1894, by J, B. LlppincOtt Col
III.-CoNT1NuED.


Lambert looked squarely at the two
men nearest him as he rapidly ap-
preached, whereupon one of them nerv-
ously tugged at the sleeve of third.
Others, after one furtive glance, pre-
tended they did not see the coming
officer and became absorbed in the
game. Ten strides and he was opposite
the group and not hand had been
raised in salute, not man was stand
ing attention" Then he halted short,
saying not a word, but the two men
nearest knew what was lacking, and,
In a shamefaced, shambling way,
brought their hands up to the cap visor.
One of these was corporal, and two
other non-commissioned officers were
smohg the players. For moment
there was an embarrassed silence. Then
Lambert spoke-rather quietly, too. for
him:
Corporal, have these men never been
taught the salute and when to use it?"
A sergeant among the players slowly
found his feet. Others seemed to try
to stink behind their fellows. The
corporal turned red, looked foolish and
only mumbled inarticnlately.
"What say you, sergesnt?" inquired
Lambert.
"Why, yes, sir" said Scrgt. Mcbride,
unoomfortably. $50 far as I'm con-
cerned, I can honestly say I did not
see the lieutenant coming; but, to tell
the truth, sir, we've got out Of the habit
of it in the company"
"Then all these men who are still
seated here know they should be up
und standing attention." asked LAM
bert, as coolly as he could, though his
blue eyes were beginning to fash. He
had heard some tittering among the
gamesters, two more of whom were now
getting up.
"Yes, sir; at least most of them do
Only, Capt. Close don't seem to mind,
and"
"ThGtll dol am waiting for you
two" said Lambert. And the two who
hanging their heads, had been titterine
into each others faces. finding theil
time had come, slowly and awkwardly
found their feet, but not the erect po-
aition of the soldier.
$50 far 80 good" said Lambert, calm.
ly. Nov, sergeant, explain the rest
TO them, as they seem to be uninstruct.
ed recruits"
There was general litter at. this
One of the two was an ex-sergeant Of
ten years. service-one of John Barley.
oorn's defeated wrestlerB. His eyes
snapped with wrath, but he knew the
lieutenant "had the best of him."
Don't make it necessary for me &c
repeat the lesson" said Lambert, be-
fore moving on; especially you, SIR
And the ex-sergeant was plainly the
man indicated.
Up at the end Of the row Sergt. Burns
brought bis broad palm down ON his
thigh with whack of delight, thet
glanced over to see how the captain
took It.
The captain was carefully counting
over the "greenbacks" he had just re
ceived, and, with these in hand, turned
into the dark recesses of his farther
tent. The episode in front was'of minor
Importance.
you got Q rakin' down, Riggs,
laughed some of the men as the lieu
tenant was lost to sight beyond tn,
wagon, while the victim Of his hriei
reprimand glowered angrily after him
Dam young squirt" suarled the fel
low. "Tll learn him lesson yet"
"No, you won't, Riggs" was The
quick rejoinder Of Mcbride. He wa
perfectly right, as you ought to hav'
sense enough to know. I'm glad, fol
enc. to see it, for this company has sim
ply been goip' to the dogs for the las
six months"