Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1897-04-22

eff you are commissioned a lieutenant
OF artillery" said he, 'it NAV be 20 years
before YOU see your captaincy." And.
though this was within three years
after the reorganization OF the army
In '66, not one of Lambert's contem-
poraries who trusted TO luck and APP
piled for the artillery had yet come
within hopeful range of the double bars.
Lambert amazed them all when he
asked for the infantry arm and took
his commission thankfully.
He had been detailed for summer
dutyat the Point, as was thea 1. custom,
so that his leave of absence of three
months did not begin until the 2sth of
August. He had been assigned 10 a
regiment whose ranks were sadly de-
pleted by the yellow fever, and which
was still serving in the south. You
won't have to hoof it out TO idaho or
Montana, anyhow" said q sympathetic
friend, "and you'll have no end of fun
at New Orleans"
But Lambert's company was not at
New Orleans. Under recent orders 1t
had been sent up into the heart of the
country, where some turbulent spirits,
so it was alleged, had been defying the
civil officers of the general government,
and by the time the short southern win
ter set in more than half his regiment,
together with three or four others, had
been distributed by companies or de-
tachments all over the gulf states, and
experienced officers were scarce as hens
teeth. The duty was unwelcome and
calling. Lambert's captain lost no time
in getting on staff duty, and G Com
pany went into camp at Tugaloo under
command of its first lieutenant, Ar
irving at New Orleans, Lambert report
ed himself at the headquarters of the
general commanding, who knew the
boys father, welcomed the son for old
friendships sake, and told his chief OF
staff to keep him there week or 60,
that he might see something OF the
southern metropolis and of his friends
down at the barracks before going to
his exile "up the road" Dining the
very next evening at Capt. Grams, with
Waring and Pierce, of the light battery,
and perhaps rather ruefully agreeing
with them that he had made beastly
fuke of 1t, going into the doughboys,"
Lambert was asked: who's In COM
maud of your company now?"
"Our first lieutenant" said he. i
don't know much about him-Brevet
Capt Close"
Whereupon Waring laid down his
knife and fork. "Angels ard ministers
OF grace." he exclaimed. well, If
that isn't the oldest contre-temps l
ever heard of" And then they all be-
gan to laugh.
"You evidently know him" said Lam
bert, somewhat nettled and n trifle i'll
at ease "Why did you ask me about
him? Somebody told me he had been
commissioned for heroism - special
bravery in action, or something of that
kind-during the war"
Gospel truth" said Pierce. CLOSE
Is the most absolutely fearless man
ever met. Nothing even Waring could
ever do or say would rufIle him" And
then, though Mrs. Cram declared 1t a
shame, she, too, joined in the general
laughter Close was evidently celeb
rity.
anu HOW, us 1SdIlDtII lOuud
within few miles-though it might be
several hours-of his destination, he
was thinking not little of the officer
to whose presence he was so soon to re-
port his own, and whose companionship
and influence, for good or for i'll. he was
bound to accept for the simple reason
that, so far as he could learn. there was
absolutely no one else with whom he
could associate-except. possibly, the
contra doctor"
Quitting New Orleans after long
DAVIS s:cht-secinp With his friends. he
had sought berth in the Pullman and
slept soundly until aroused by the porter
after two o'clock to change cars at the
junction. Now he was wide awake,
and, after the first few miles of jolting
and grinding through the darkness, was
becoming chilled and lonesome-per-
hnps q trifle homesick. Twice had the
conductor hustled through the train,
rousing sleeping passengers and see
ing them safely off at dark and mys-
terious stations where hardly glimmer
of lamp or candle could be seen away
from Une IutTt WHICH SSA 'NN
as q waiting-room and office. A heap
of wood wa stacked up near the stove.
and Lambert poked the waning en-
bers and piled on fresh fuel, whereat
q young man who had got on at Coates-
Vile with shotgun and big bottle
for luggage, and who had for nearly an
hour been singing sentimental snatchcs
to his own deep satisfaction, now smiled
maudlin approval and companionably
held forth the bottle. as good" said
he, In loyal defense of the stimulant
most courteously declined. "Bes' thing
you can take these CO. mawning's. Live
bout hyuh an'where?"
NO" said Lambert, civilly, yet hop
ing not to be further questioned. He
busted himself again with the fire. then,
rising quickly, sought his seat.
But the young man with the flask
was gregarious and bubbliDg over with
the milk of human kindness. He
promptly lurched after, and, Topping
down on the opposite seat, sending
some of Lambert's belongings clatter-
ing to the floor, held out his hand.
"'Scuse me, suh," he suffered. IL
hope I amt Tended you. My names
Potts-Barton Potts. We amt what
we were befo' the wah, you know. But
know a genl'm'n-every time. Hope
Il ain'-'sulted-"
"Not by any means" protested Lam
bert, loudly and heartily. Don't think
Of such n thing! l simply didn't feel
like drinking; but I'm thousand
t;,,,aa ol>IIoal IN r,o,,
THAI right. Thar all right" said
Mr.. Potts, grnsping Lambert's hand
and shaking 1t impressively. 'I-hello!
Wha'z that?"
Lambert's sword, encased in chamois-
skin, had come in contact with the
strangers elbow and gone rattling
under the seat. Potts made precipi-
tate dive and fished it out, regaining his
equilibrium after some little struggle.
"Goin' to Quitman-too? THAI my
home. An I'm glad-meet you. 1
.ylAl4sEz
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