The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-07-01

repT1mduu lOT letJluB C6rthiu nOIheh
stray up on the Belle Fourche?"
THE very man, sir. He is careless at
times and not altogether reliable. but
he's one of the smartest, nattiest men
I've got, and"-
Didn't be marry that pretty maid
servant of the Freemans' after we got
back from the Ute campaign"
Eyes, sir, and Freeman hasn't for
given me YET" answered Captain Ray,
his white teeth cleaning. I'm very
sure l should be glad to have him take
her back. She's turned the heads of
some Of my best men and is running
Merriweather heels over head in debt. "
The colonel pondered moment II
greatly dislike to refuse you anything, "
he said, but every time we come in
from scout or campaign, since l Joined
the regiment, no sooner are we within
a days march or so of the home station
or any station, for that matter-than
several men ask to ride in ahead At
first even the officers did, and there
were as many as a dozen men. Now
we've reduced it to two. When did
Merriweather hear from his wife?'
1.-The mail rider, sir, going up to the
Sioux agency. met us this morning early
and gave him a letter He brought it
to me to read. 1t was written by the
post traders wife. She says Mrs. Mer-
riweather is really seriously ILL.,"
Every good. Then he can go by the
ambulance. So can your man, major.
Tell them both to report here at 8
O'Clock. Isn't Merriweather's time
nearly out, Ray2"
"Only two months to serve, sir, and
he says he's going into business with
brother in Chicago. lose three non
commissioned officers this fall in that
way, and one of them l couldn't take
on again. He's all broken down with
wounds and rheumatism. You'll have
to favor me bit in the matter Of re-
cruits, colonel l need six, or shall be-
fore we're month older.
"You shall have the first good man
that enlists at Ransom. Ray. I'm told
we may pick up some first rate material
there, the mines have broken so many. I"
IAN right, colonel, and I'll remind
you if see any likely civilian hanging
around headquarters Good day, sir,
and thank you very much" So saying
Captain Ray wheeled about and trudged
away down stream to make report to
his battalion commander
Ibid he say Merriweather could go?"
asked the major, glancing up at Rays
sunshiuy face. II wouldn't, if l were
in his place.
HE WASH Z overwilling at first" was
she answer. However, my fellows
will all be wishing themselves back in
che field before they've been home a
fortnight-small blame to them"
whats the reason you're so down
on garrison life, RayY"
"Im not down on it exactly, major.
but if it weren't for the wife and boys
I'd be glad il we were forever i'll tbc
field" answered Ray. "'ien get killed
in this Indian business, but they-keep
out of trouble. There's Merriweather,
now. He was tiptop sergeant in the
Sioux campaign. He was one of the
best all round troopers and noncommis-
stoned officers in the regiment all
through the campaigns that followed in
the next three years. and he's been run.
ming down steaully ever since ne Tell III
love with that f1ibbertigibbet of Free
mans. Garrison life and girls spoil
many a good cavalryman, he conolud.
ed oraoularly.
Don't dare me TO tell that to Mrs
Ray as your sentiments, grinned the
major
"Oh, everything depends on the girls,
of course, " said Ray, growing instantly
grave. "Blakey and well. l, al
least, owe everything to my wife, hC
finished almost reverently. Then pres
emily he spoke again. But what chance
has the average trooper? What manner
of woman has he to mate with, if h'
mate at all? Next batch Of recruits gel
should be anchorites, so far as womer
are concerned.
Sailors are just as bad as soldiers, >
said Mainwaring sagely, whereat Blake
ducked his head under his blanket il
commissions of delight.
II know, SIR" said Ray, glancinl
vengefully at the oontortions of tn,
worn gray slumber robe and biting hi
own lip hard to repress the bubblinl
fun. "What / mean is that I'd like Il
get the troop full of fellows tina
couldn't be twisted around woman
finger"
"You never will, Ray, said Main
waring, thereby proving that he knew
human nature, if not books. "You cal
take your pick Of this gang that Raw
sons bringing out with him or of an.
of the men that offer themselves at Ran
som, and I'm willing TO bet that tn
next man you enlist will be womal
driven from the word CO."
CHAPTER II.
The night express was so minutes lat
already, and engine 1888, waiting at tn