Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-12-02
THE DEsERTER WENT
DOWN THE RIVER.
THE starry emblem of freedom float
ing from tall flagstaff on the pa
STORY OF MILITARY DISCIPLINE

ii
rade ground at Fort Buford.
swayed gracefully in the afternoon
breeze. The small expanse of turf that
sloped down to the swift-rolling Mis-
souri, was dotted with trim buildings.
which seemingly won a martial appear
ance from their occupants. A chill
was noticeable in the air, though June
reigned and countless mosquitoes
reigned also, lowering in dense swarms
over the willows near the rivers edge
mosquitoes whose spitefuI sting was
altogether out of proportion to their
size. Even the stoical Indians from
the eros Ventres village. two miles
north. just over the boundary line in
Montana, were visibly, affected by
those ubiquitous pests, and waved
eagles wings before their imperturb-
able, grave faces as they stood upon
the banks, while cargo of military
supplies was being un1oaded from a
down river" boat.
Hither and thither, across the parade
ground. figures in blue were moving
sfowly-soldiers with the dull, apa-
thetic countenances characterizing SO
many troops upon the western from
tier. But to-day there was Frightening
of faces. quickening of steps, for the
"down-river" had brought letters from
the states and home.
An unusually generous mail, too
Several men laughed when they saw
lack Brayton with deeper bronze on
his cheeks and letter in his hand.
He had never been known 10 receive
one since the coming of the company
to Fort Buford. He was a tall. awk-
ward fellow, one of those shambling
men who suggest some mistake on the
part of nature in choosing ma teriai too
hastily. He stood now just opposite
the gymnasium, the letter futtering in
his grasp, the torn envelope crushed in
one strong hand. He had read it over
twice, and was beginning at the first
page again, mumbling it indistinctly:
"You and me amt been as much to
each other as hus band andswife oughter
be. If we had. you wouldn't never have
gone away. Ivekept silence long time.
waiting for you tosay you cared, but you
don't say that yet; and now it's my
cough and the strange feelings all over
me- that make me write. The doctor
says itwon't be long-andthere's little
Jim and the baby"
He stopped suddenly and crumpled
the pitiful scrawI in his brawny fist
and pushed the back of his hand across
his deep-set eyes.
81 don't know rightly what I'll do"
he began, desperately; and then he
Strengthened up, as a comrade ap-
preached, laughing
@ Lots of news, lack ?" he queried in
teasing way.
Ten minutes later lack Brayton
stood more eawkwardly than ever, be-
fore the highest authority in the fort.
That officer had received pleasant news
from home, and he unbent his military
dignity to a surprising degree, and was
| chatting merrily with several subor-
dfnates.
well, my man." was his remark.
when lacks presence was noticed.
The private saluted awkwardly. He
began to speak in a low. hesitating
voice.
.'Beggin' your pardon, colonel, but
I've got a word I'd like to say-least-
wise, if"
/ Talk to your captain interrupted
the officer, recalling his dignity now.
He was tired of hearing complaints, and
there hadGbeen too many of late.
Not asoI'd oughter bother you. sir;
but the fact is"
well, speak out. What is it?" said
the officer, with some show of impa-
thence.
MY wife," he began, huskily, ''she
is sick, and I lowed maybe you had a
wife, colonel, an you'd know how
Where is she?"
Back in Missoury.''
So
possible, sir. IF we Needed half the re-
on the post. Don't you see, my good
| feIlow?"
"Yes, sir. replied lack, simply.
When he was clear of the quarters he
leaned against post as if needing sup
port of some sort. Yet lack was a
strong man, certainly.
In this high latitude the sun cheats
you out of the evening hours. and sets
| at nearly ten o'clock. A detachment
| of troops were assisting the steamboat
roustabouts in unloading military sup
plies. At dark f1ambeaux were flaring
from the boats guards, by the light of
which they completed their labors.
Then the bluecoats marched back to
the barracks. preceded by train of
| government wagons.
| A few roustabouts, huddled upon the
| boiler deck. were grumb bling unitedly
about some trifle. as Missouri river
! roustabouts have a habit of doing. The
| night became very dark at last-so dark
| that even had one been looking in that
| direction he would not have noticed a
man who crept out of the willow bog,
and. stepping cautiously into an Indian
''bull-boat" at the wharf, drifted off
| with the swift current under cover of
| friendly shadows.