Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1897-04-29

self, and when his hair needed trimming
it was done by the company barber.
He had no bills. He would be neither
borrower nor-well, there was some talk
about his lending money on unimpeach-
able security and usurious interest. but
to those officers who applied, either in
jest or earnest, he said he never had a
cent to lend and wouldn't lend ft,if he
had.
Then what on earth did Close do with
his money?
Much of this was told to Lambert in
New Orleans. More of it he learned
later. On this particular day he was
destined to have another peep into the
peculiarities of this most unusual char
acter.
He had walked perhaps half mile,
revolving these matters in his mind
and keeping occasional lookout for Par
meiee's (Which was evidently further
away than he had been led to supposed,
when he heard some one shouting after
him. 1t was soldier. running hard,
and in moment Lambert recognized In
him the affable corporal who was the
first to receive him that morning. This
time the corporal saluted as he came,
painting, to halt. Possibly Sergt.
Burns had been giving the company o
pointer"
did anybody pass you, lieutenantq-
anybody on horseback"
NO." answered Lambert, wondering
what now might be coming.
ssNVaI r.
tain wants you to come back. Didn't
nobody go along here a-horsebackT'
And the corporal was evidently per-
picked as well as nearly breathless.
'By CAD, thought twas takin' chances,
even for the two of us. Two of 'em rode
in an sassed cap right to his face an
were Off before man of US could draw
bead on 'em."
''Who are they?"
"Some of the very crowd Parmelee
nabbed last night. They must have cut
across at the ford. They've finished
him, reckon, for one of 'em was ridin'
bis horse"
In ten minutes Lambert was back at
camp, where all was hustle and sup
pressed excitement. Close was seated
at his teht, smoking imperturbably, and
listening to the tremulous words of
tall, sallow civilian who was leaning
against the shoulder of q painting mule.
Mcbride, rifle in hand and equipped for
field service, was closely inspecting the
kit and cartridge boxes Of squad Of a
dozen men already formed.
Lieutenant" said Close, I've got to
send you with detachment over to the
county jail. How soon can you get
ready?"
Lambert felt sudden odd, choly sen.
sation at the throat, and was conscious
that his knees were tremulous. It was
his first call, mind you, and it was sud-
den and vague. The symptoms made
him furious.
"Tm ready now," he said, reaching for
his handsome sash and belt, and disap-
pearing an instant within his tentdoor.
"Ain't you got some ord-nery things?
You don't want to wear such trappin's
ns them. I've got sash an belt an
sword here plenty good enough; and
you can have 'em for half what they
cost"
"I prefer using these, captain" said
L ambert.
"Why, you may not get back in o
week." persisted Close. "There's no
tellin' where those fellows have run to.
You ought to have some suitable clothes
for this sort o. work-like mine"
"Tve got something different but j
$50 you be, 'cordin' to what tfis gen.
tleman says. 1t looks like they must
have stirred up quite rowi but you
needn't worry. There'll be no trouble
once they see the regulars, and II there
should be, you've got me an the hub
company to draw on" And Close's
face fairly frightened up for the min
ute. "There's your squad ready.
Parm'lee'l tell you what Re wants done.
Reck'lect, If there's any trouble you
draw on me-"
'I shall need some money, I'm afraid,
If we're gone any time. That's the first
thing I'll have to draw for"
Closes countenance fell. "Ten dol
lars ought to be huff for You anywhere
here. 1 could get along with fifty
cents" said he, slowly. Suddenly he
frightened up again
"Just sit down an makeout them mile
age accounts G yours. Here, sergeant
you and this gentleman go on with the
squad. Take the county road. The
neutenantn overtake you. Sit right
down over there in Sergt Burns tent
lieutenant; he's got all the blanks and
things. Never made out a mileage &C.
count? Here, I'll show YOU"
And while Close slowly began his cal
culations, the squad under Sergt- Mo-
Bride tramped out upon the dusty red
road, most of the men following as
though to see them around the bend,
while Lambert, vaguely troubled, and
feeling, somehow. that he ought to be
with his detachment even though his
superior officer called him back, stood
looking anxiously after them.
II thought you had twenty or 90 left
in your wallet, lieutenant" sold Close.
"Just look, will you? You needn't be
in any hurry. Mcbride knows just what
TO do. I'd change them clothes II Twas
you"
Lambert had slipped his hand into his
breastpocket, then began searching the
others. All in vain; tho little, fiat
pocketbook was gone; and now II
flashed across his mind that he must
have whisked 1t out with his hnndker.
chief, which he carried, after the West
Point fashion of those days, In the
breast OF his coat, just after he started
on the run back to camp. Even as he
began to tell of his loss the men came
springing down the bank and bursting
through the bushes in their haste 70
reach their arms and equipments.
"What's up now?" hailed Close, stu
slowly writing and never moving from
his seat.
"Firing over near town. air." called
q sergeant.
"That so?" asked the veteran, imper-
turbably. "Get 'em under arms, SER
geant. Guess you'd better catch up
with Mcbride, lieutenant" said he to
Lambert, whose boyish face could not
but betray his excitement. Hold on o
second" he shouted. for Lambert had
darted ut the word. "Wait, lieutenant"
shouted Burns, and, wondering, Lam.
bert looked back. Close was holding
out the pen TO him.
"Sign these. first off, will your said
he.
Iro BE CoyrINUxD.l
---
No Hope for Him.
The lover was disconsolate.
"Cheer up" advised his best friend.