The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-23
gespieled, so I gives the thing up and


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gespieled, so I gives the thing up and 1
goes for you, see?''
Suddenly the man in the bed rose up
with a screech, his eyes rejecting hor-
ror. Instantly Spud pounced on him, and
clapped hand on his mouth, that the
sound might not penetrate unfriendly ears.
He and the Kid held the maniac down I'M
til the parOxysm passed. Then May took
a syringe from his pocket, filed it and
barred his patients arm.
Murphy" he said after a while, when
the injection was taking effect, why have
you said nothing of this?"
Sure, SIR Murphy answered, "he was
once like little brother to me, when he
was kid in our ward 'Twould be eter-
nal disgrace TO his old man, that's going
TO be our senator, and to all the boys and
to my father and to me, if he was bob
tailed-that is, got the G.. B., him being
officer and gentleman. See? We think
the world Of the Owenses, see?"
The doctor looked at him curiously. He
had in his library a volume on dipsomania
others on heredity. Some idea of the
fight before the lieutenant dawned upon
him, and even he shivered a little at the
thought of what Owen had already pass
ed through, hiding his habit, yet every
moment fearing detection and shame and
open disgrace.
And, do you expect to cure him of it?"
he thonughtfully asked of the trust dog
robber.
Spud's face gloomed
I'm fond Of a good time on pay dav
doctor, with the boys, but since this here
miserable racket, I've sworn off. What
ell? My righteous example amt no
good He breaks out in spells. and there
amt no knowing when Sammy's going to
break out. That's the worst. Some dav
nell do 1t at the wrong time, when I ain't
around-and then it'll break the old mans
heart"
despair. -
Wish he'd get shot before IT becomes
KNOWN" he muttered fierceIy. Doctor
the boys will do anything you ask. Doctor
TINS Is for NEEDN'T give it away Cure
him. He's a good Sort
The kid hummed gently:
That may die and not disgrace
Its ancient chivalry.
Did the senator drink hard Murphy.
When ne was trading in politics, in that
sweet land your so fond of-the ward?"
"Why, sure, sir, they all did" said Spud
but he took it like man."
And his father suppose" said the kid
grimly, took 1T like a man. and his. and
this poor devil is the result Murphy. nv
lad when you say your prayers or tell
your beads, or whatever you do, pray that
drinking may again become fashionable
in the interests of Lieut. Owen. And. in
the meantime, before he wakes and gets
the blues you had better corral his cart
ridges"
81 done that" said spud, though it
might be better that way, too"
No, Murphy" said the Kid. THAT
would be bad expose. Soldiers must fill
other people with bullets. but should scrup-
ulously respect their own person.
The Kid respected Private Spud's anx-
iety to save the unhappy lieutenant from
dismissal. He watched over Owens "at-
tack of malaria" personally, so that even
that critical outbreak of the maniac's
passed unnoticed by the adjutant or men.
In a week Owen was back with the troop,
grayer and thinner. quieter and graver
than ever, but with the same nervous
courteousness which made his troopers as
also his comrades, regard him with a pity
ing liking
The little doctor and Owen had a long
private talk, and ii is to be supposed the
Kid dabbled In uostra outside the regular
pharmacy of the faculty. for he and Owen
took together four weeks leave of absence,
and the doctor brought the lieutenant back
since the craving had burst upon him.
Take him, Murphy" said the KID con-
fldently, land you can let him have the
run of the pistol cartridges"
THE blessing of the ward is on YOU
said Spud, with great joy, and thereafter
permitted himself to mingle as freely as in
former days with the troop, to take his
regular break at the post traders and to
discuss the glores of the ward and of the
Again the old saloonkeeper received a let
ter from his son, which he showed to the
senator, and again was the old lawinak-
er's heart borne up within him, as he
dreamed Of glory-real glory, not OF the
political order, whose hollowness he knew
for his boy.
For war was in the air, the Maine went
down, and then war came.
That was six months after Kid had
brought owen back to duty. During the
last three of these the soul of Murphy had
been possessed with doubt. Something was
wrong with his charge, just what he
could not say. 1t was not the old trouble
mot once had the unholy thirst consun1-
ed the ofiioer-that seemed indeed TO have
left him, through the little Doctors radical
cure whatever ii may have been. A some
thing of alteration was IN the eye and step
of the lieutenant. Now he was listless; he
look no part IN SOCIAL SdtneIlngSs ne avoid
ed any more duty than was absolutely nee
essary Before, when not incapacitated by
his vice, he had been burning student.
indefatigable in helping his troop TO star
rank in the regiment Books no longer in
terested him. nor drills. He cared not
whether his men were marksmen or
Spud took heart of grace
and wrote 10 the Kid, who had been sent
to another station, and the Kid replied a
little anxously, but hopefully.
In changing his inherent nature In one
direction said he, 1T is possible that
other traits may have been weakened, but
It is probable he viii be his busy self again
in time. SO long as the great object was
attained by my cure 1 really don't care
much about the rest"
But Spud did. The troop was crazy with
delight at getting the route for Cuba.
owen disguised his own feelings from ey-
cry one, but not from the watchful at
tendant.
"Hully geew spud moaned. "he-he don't
want 10 go!'
The dog-robber RACED. and, Il Is 10 be
feared that when in attendance on his
master In the secluslon OF the latter's