The Florence daily tribune. (Florence, Colo.) 1898-1903, 1899-08-17
THE DESERTER WENT
DOWN THE RIVER.
THE starry emblem of freedom float
STORY or MIlrARY DISCIPLINE.


swayed gracefully in the afternoon
breeze. The small expanse of turf that
sloped down TO the swift-rolling Mis-
sour 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 countlt 5 mosquitoes
reigned also. lowering in dense swarms
over the willows near the rivers edge
mosquitoes whose spiteful sting was
altogether out of proportion to then
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 us they stood upon
the banks. while a cargo of military
supplies was being unloaded from
down river" boat.
Hithcr and thither, across the parade
ground. figures in blue were moving
slowly -soldiers with the dull. apa'
thetic countenances characterizing so
many troops upon the western iron
tier. But to-day there was Frightening
of faces, quickeuing of steps, for the
''down-river'' had brought letters from
the states and home.
y" ,'ii -, -, -, ~
lack Brayton with deeper bronze on
his cheeks and letter in his hand.
ne n"u NJ 80 ~ ~. eornron,
TO Fort Buford. He was a tail. awk-
70 - - ~, - ~, sI,n,,tlipo
ward leioN' que VI 49, .aI'aan ,I,o
men "no suSs zoo
Par' u IA Va "a 49, o,,nosi,o
nas'iiS' ~ s''ou - "a a,,.ta,.;,,,, IN
ihe Ky III IN WV =. - i,
ms grasp 'ne tu'" M rI't III 80. - oyar
one strong nui'u, ~ 10" t,,a srst
,,,,I,Iincr n ;rdistirctl,.
Puse asHin -. -, ~. ,,,,,,h 70
iou "i'i - -, "a ,,.;f..,,,,,l,ts,.
e"'i ~ -
De, - t,,.aI,o,,t' sjlerce = Iong time.
50. =, io', Won corel hut Won
Mai ,. ,oi a. 80 80. snd now rs my
uoh say Ia 80 - soo,inns on oyer
,,,a ~ ,,,,l,a mo write The doctor
me 'i,''a - - Ia inna and there's lit,le
I,a, and +ba bahyor
~ ~. lt',,,,5 s,iderIv and crumnIed
a. EEL slrn,,l in his hrownv fist
ia ppns ,d tba bnc< of his hand across
~ d,a,,-sot a,.as
"' 81 49, 1870 nov rigbtIv what I'll dc"
/, -, Ias,,oratel,,. and then he
st.oi,,b toned mn az corrade ap-
,noneha6 Iauqbing
.I ~ of na,vs zac,s ?" he oueried in
teasino way
~, ,,,ip,ites later Znck Brayton
tod more oylsyardlv than ever, be-
fore the highest authority in the fort.
M. o,,;ce,. had received nIeasant news
from home and he unbent his military
dignit, To a surprising degree, and was
chotting merrily with several subor-
linatas
uWeu my man. was his remark,
when lacks presence was noticed
The nrivate saluted awkwarily. He
hepap to sneak in a low, hesitating
voice
"Berpin' YOUR pardon. colonel, but
I,ve got a word I'd like to say-leas+
wise IL"
Tail to YOUR captain" interrupted
tha o,.cer recalling his dignity now.
He was tired OF hearing Complaints. anu
there had been too many of late.
MOT as I'd oughter bother YOU sir;
but the fact is"
well. speak out. What is it?" said
the officer, with some show of impa-
fence.
NV wife" he began, huskily, she
is sick, and | lowed may be you had
wife colonel am you'd know how
where is she?'
Back in Missoury"
"And you want furlough? It's i'm
possible, sir. If we needed half the re-
quests we shouldn't have soldier left
on the post Don't you see, my good
fellow ?"
Eyes. 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