Daily camera., 1899-11-29
THE DAILY CAMERA

/ never was a lieutenant except in war
time. when they amounted 10 some
thing. l got my professional knowl-
edge in front of the enemy-not at any
damned charity school. You're here
TO ask some new indulgence, / suppose.
Want TO stay in town over night and
fritter away your money and the time
the government pays for. No, sir; you
can't have my consent. You will be
back in camp at 12 o'clock. and stop
and report your return to the officer
of the guard, SO that l may know the
hour you come in. Who's officer of the
guard tonight, Mr.. Gordon"
"Mr. Brooke, sir
"Mr. Brooke! Why, thought told
you he was to take those prisoners in
town tomorrow. He has TO testify be-
fore that court in the case of Sergt.
Kelly and it saves my sending another
officer and having two of our lieuten-
ants away from drill and hanging
around the Bohemian club. Detail
somebody else!"
"All right. SIR" answered Gordon.
imperturbably. MAKE any odds, sir.
who is detailed?"
Canker had turned 10 his desk and
was tossing over the papers with nerv-
Gus hand. Gray impulsively stepped
forward, his eyes kindling with hope.
II was on the tip of his tongue to launch
into a proffer of his own services for
the detail, but Gordon hastily warned
him back with a sweep of the hand and
portentous scowl
NO. Ones as bad as the other.
Next thing l know some of 'em will be
letting prisoners escape right under
my nose, making us the laughing stock
of these damned militia volunteers"
(Canker entered service in 81 as
private in a city company that was mil
itia 20 the tip of its spike-,ailed coats,
but he had forgotten it, Il want these
young idlers to understand distinctly,
by George, that the first prisoner that
gets away from this post takes some
body's commission with him. D'you
hear that, Mr.. Gray?" And Canker
turned and glared at the bright blue
eyes as though he would like to blast
their clear fires with the breath of his
disapprobation. Has that young fei-
low. Morton, been put in irons yet?"
he suddenly asked, whirling on Gordon
again.
Think not, sir. Supplies limited.
Officer of the day reported half an hour
ago every set was in use. Sent over TO
division quartermaster and he an
swered we had dozen more'n we were
entitled to nov. Wanted to know f we
meant to iron the whole regiment"
The her he did," ragged Canker.
I'm settle that in short order. My
horse there, orderly! I'll be back by
four, Mr.. Gordon. Fix that detail to
suit yourself" And so saying the
irascible colonel flung himself out of
the tent and into his saddle.
You young idiot" said Gordon,
whirling on Billy the moment the coast
was clear. You came within an ace
of running the whole thing. Never ask
Canker for anything, unless it's what
you wish to be rid of. Tell Brooke
you're for guard, and he's to go to town
instead"
Hopping mad" as he himself after
ward expressed it, Col. Canker had
ridden over to have it out" with the
quar,ermaster who had ventured to
comment on his methods, but the sight
of the commanding general, standing
alone at the entrance to his private tent,
his pale face grayer than ever and
world of trouble in his eyes, compelled
Canker TO stop short. Two or three
orderlies were on the run. Two aids
dc-camp. Capt. Garrison and COM
rade were searching through desks and
boxes, their faces grave and concerned.
The regimental commander was off his
morse IN second. Anything amisa
general?' he asked. with soldierlv
salute.
Inc general turned slowly toward
MN Can our men sell letters" he
said' as well as food and forage? Do
people buy such things? A most i'm
por'aht package has been-stolen from
my tent"