The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1899-10-03
A STORY OF NILlrAHY DISCIPLINE.

THE starry emblem Of freedom float
ing from tail flagstaff on the pa
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 countls mosquitoes
reigHed also. lowering in dense swarms
over the willows near the rivers edge
-mosquitoes whose spiteful 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 a cargo of military
supplies was being unloaded from a
down river" boat.
Hifher and thither. across the parade
ground, figures in blue were moving
slowIy-soIdiers with the dull, apa-
thetic countenances characterizing 50
many troops upon the western from
tier. But to-day there was Frightening
Of faces. a quickening Of steps, for the
"down-riFer" had brought letters from
the states and home.
An unusually generous mail, too.
Several men laughed when they saw
Zack Brayton with a deeper bronze on
his cheeks and letter in his hand.
He had never been known 10 receive
one since tie coming Of the company
TO Fort Buiord. lie was tall, awk-
ward fellow, ore of those shambling
men who suggest some mistake on the
/ part Of nature in choosing material too
/ hastily. lie stood now just opposite
the gymnasium. the letter futtering in
! his grasp. the torn envelope crushed in
one strong hand. He had read il over
twice, ard was beginning at the first
page again, mumbliDg il iudistinctly:
"Ycu and ne amt been as much 70
each other as husband and wife oughter
be. If we had. you wouldn't never have
/ eoneaway. Fvekept silence long time,
waiting foryout osay you cared, but you
don't sag that yet; and low it's my
cough and the strange feelings all over
me that make ne write. The doctor
says il won't be g-and there's little
Jim ard the baby"
He stopped suddenly and crumpled
the pitiful scrawl in his brawny fist
ard pushed TIE back Of his hand across
his decp-set eyes.
u don't know rightly what I'll DO, >
he began, desperately; and then he
Strengthened up. as a eomrade ap-
preached. laughing.
Lots of news, Zack?" he queried in
4 teasing way
Ten minutes later Jack Brayton
stood more awkwardly than ever, be
fcre the highest authority in the fort.
That officer had received pleasant news
from home. and he unbent his military
dignity to q surprising degree, and was
chatting merrily with several subor-
6iEates.
well. my man." was his remark,
when lacks presence was noticed.
The private saluted awkwardiy. He
began to speak in 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. anC
there had been too many OF late.
! Not as I'd oughter bother you. sir
but the fact is"
well. speak out. What is it?'' saiC
the officer, with some show Of impa
tience.
My wife" he began. huskily, ''sh'
is sick, and I lowed maybe you had [
wife. colonel, an you'd know how
where is she2'
Back in Missoury."
"And you want furlough? It's i'm
possible. sir. If we needed half the re
quests we shouldn't have a soldier lef
en- the post. Don't you see, my goos
: fellow?"
YES. sir" replied Zack. simply.
When he was clear of the quarters h,
leaned against a post as if needing sup
port of some sort. Yet Zaek was
strong man. certainly.
In this high latitude the sun cheat
; You out of the evening hours. and set
at nearly ten o'clock. detachmen
of troops were assisting the steamboa
roustabouts in unloading military sup
plies. At dark fambeaux were farm.
from the boats guards. oy the light o
which they completed their labors
: Then the bluecoats marched back {,
the barracks. preceded by train o
government wagons.
4 few roustabouts, huddled upon tn
boiler deck, were grumbiing unitedl
about some trife. as Missouri rive
roustabouts have habit Of doing. Tn
night became very dark at last-so dar
that even had one been looking in tina
, direction he would not have noticed
man who crept out of the willow bos
and, stepping cautiously into an India
''bull-hoat" at the wharf. dTifted OF
with the swift current under cover o
friendly shadows.
In few moments, at best, the man
absence from the fort would be dis