Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-03

- 49,
teers was formed; it's members, agreed to
drill an hour daily in addition TO the pre-
scribed work, provided Billy would take
hold" in earnest, and this was the company
that, under his command, swept the boards
six weeks later and left San Pedros'
contingent an amazed and disguised
crowd. Then Billy went to meta
phorical pieces again until the war
clouds oveTspread the land; then, like his
fathers son, he girded up his loins, went in
for a commission and won. And here he
was a Sub" in Uncle Sans stalwart In
fantry, with three classmates serving under
him in the ranks and half a dozen more,
either as junior officers or enlisted men, in
the camps OF the volunteers. He was a
handsome boy, a healthy, hearty boy, and,
as boys go, rather a good boy-a boy In
whom his mother would have found, had she
not long since been lifted above the cares
of this world, much OF comfort and more
to c%ondone. but a boy, nevertheless, who
had given his old dragon OF a dad many
an anxious hour. Now, Just as he neared
the legal dividing line between youth and
years Of discretion, Billy Gray had Joined
the third battalion OF his regiment, full OF
pluck, hope and hearth, full OF ambition to
make a name for himself in a profession he
loved as, except his father, he certainly
iONCu hObhilb tlSt, huu dIltlIy bCullluS II
idea that there might come into his life a
being for the sake of whose smile he could
almost lay down his sword, for he had yet
to meet Amy Lawrence.
who are the women folks UP at head
quarters, Billy p" asked a youth of his
own years and rank. peering eagerly
through the drifting mist at the dim,
ghostry outlines OF the generals camp.
Didn't get to see 'em. Where's the old
mantle colonel?" was the reply. "Chief
wants him foot de sweet"
What's wanted p called a voice from the
biggest Of the neighboring tents, and a
close-cropped head was thrust out between
the front tent flaps. THAT you, Billy? Who
wants the colonel? He and the brig rode
over to the Preside an hour ago-ain't got
back. Come in; I've started a fire In our
oil stove" A puff of warm air blew from
the Interior and confirmed the statement.
1t was well along in summer and, not a
dozen miles away to the east, men were
strolling about with palm-leaf fans and
wilted collars. Here, close to the gray
shores Of the mighty sea, blankets and over
coats were in demand. Hospitality the older
officer tugged at the lacings OF the military
front door, swore between his set teeth
when the knots, swollen by the wet, with
stood his efforts and then shouted:
"Sergeant-major; send somebody here to
open this"
A light ~footstep sounded on the springy
board floor, nimble fingers worked a mo-
ment at the cords, then the flap was thrown
open and the adjutant's office stood partially
revealed. 1t was a big wall tent backed UP
against another Of the same size and pat
tern. Half a dozen plain chairs, two rough
board tables Uttered with books, papers and
smoking tobacco. an oil stove and a cheap
clothes rack on which were hanging rain
coats, ponchos and a cape or two, comprised
all the furniture. In a stout frame Of I'M
planed wood, cased in their oilskins and
tightly rolled, stood the colors of the IA
nous regiment; and back of them, well
within the second tent, where one clerk was
Just lighting a camp lantern, were perched
on rough tables a brace OF field desks with
the regimental books. The sergeant-major,
a veteran of years Of service in the regu-
lars, sat at one Of them. A young soldier,
he who had unfastened the tent
flap to admit Lieutenant Gray,
was just returning to his seat
on a bench well beyond and back
of the sergeant majors seat, and
a bugler, with his hands in his
pockets, was smoking a short briar pipe at
the opposite, or back doorway. Woe to the
enlisted man who sought the presence OF the
colonel OF adjutant through any other chan
mel. The sergeant major would drop on him
with the force Of a base ball bat.
who all are over yahnduh at the
chief's?" asked the adjutant, as soon as he
had his visitor we'll inside, and the soft &C
cent, as well as the quaint phraseology, tLld
that in the colonel's confidential staff officer
a southerner spoke.
"All the brigade and most regtmental
| commanders cant nnro I GhouId cav and
they seem to be waiting for them. Can't
We send 2" was the answer, as the Junior
whipped off his campaign hat and sprinkled
the floor with the vigorous shakes he gave
the battered felt.
Have sent said his entertainer briefly,
as he filled a pipe from the open tobacco
box and struck a safety match. Orderly
galloped after him ten minutes ago. Blow
the brigade and battalion commanders!
What l asked you was who are the women
up there?"
mo, you didn't! You said. 'whal all are
up ~yonder?' I'm a sub. and s'posed you
meant Observation-Disclosures. What have /
to do with anybody In petticoats?"
And I'm q griZzled vet of a dozen years
duty, crows feet and gray hairs a-comin', )"
grinned the adjutant, pulling at q long curly
moustache and drawing himself up to his
full height of six feet, land when you're as
old as i am ana nall as wise, Billy, you'll
know that a pretty girl is worth ten times
the thought our old frumps Of generals
demand, My name amt Gordon II l haven't
a mind to waltz over there through the
mist and the wind just to tell them I've
sent for Squeers. Then I'll get a look at
the girls"
1--WE got TO go back" said Billy, "and
you've no business to-with Mrs. Gordon
and an interesting family to consider. What
tent'd the ladies go to? l didn't see 'em."
Mrs. Gordon, subj said the a%djutant
with placid superiority, considers 1t a re-
Election on her sex when l fail TO pay II
due homage. OF course you didn't see the
ladies. The party was shown into the gen.
erals own domicile. Couldn't you see how
many young fellows were posing in pictur.
esque attitudes in front of it? Awe Hank!''
he suddenly shouted to an officer striding
past the tent in dripping macintosh
Coin up to division headquarters? Just
tell the staff or the chief I've sent an
orderly galloping after Squeers. He's half
way TO the Preside now. but it'll be an
hour before they can get back" The silent
oficer nodded and went on. whereat Gordon
mazda a snrinp for the entranca and hailed