Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-06
lc.pyreht, ,s.s. BY F. 1ennyson N..ly.l


department, had unaccountably fallen
into deep sleep aboard the train and
awoke to find both funds and prisoners
gone. Explanations were useless. The
commanding general would listen to no
excuse; court-martial was ordered,
and very worthy young officers mill
tary career seemed about to close under
a cloud, when "Old Canker" threw
himself into the breach. He had long
suspected the sergeant who had ac-
companied the party in immediate
command of the little guard. He hated
the commanding general with all his
soul, and how it came about no one
could thoroughly explain, but one day
Canker turned up with indubitable
proof that the sergeant was the thief
that he was bribed to bring about the
escape of the prisoners, and that he had
drugged the fresh spring water he
brought in to the young officer after
the burning heat of the desert was left
behind in the dead of the summer night.
Canker even recovered most of the
stolen money, for there was woman in
the case, and she had safely slowed it
away. Carson was cleared and Canker
triumphant. "See what the man can
do when his sense of justice is aroused"
said the optimists of the army. Justice
be blowed," answered the cynics. sHe
never would have raised his finger to
help Carson but for the joy of proving
the general unjust, and regimental
pet, the sergeant-a thief"
Yet Gray reverted to this episode as
explanation of his tolerance of Canker's
harshness and thereby gave rise to a
rejoinder from the lips of veteran
company commander that many fel-
low was destined to recall before the
regiment was two months older:
I'm order to settle it, somebody's got
to find his life or his commission in
jeopardy. Maybe it'll be you, Billy, and
I'm betting you won't find Squeers a
guardian angel"
Yet on this sunshiny summer morn
ing, with hope and sunshine and con-
fidence in his handsome, boyish face,
Lieut.. Gray came bounding up to the
presence of the regimental commander
as though that sour-visaged soldier
were an indulgent uncle who could not
say him nay. A stylish open carriage
in which were two remarkably pretty
girls and gray-haired, slender gen
tleman, had refined up in the street
opposite the entrance to the row of
officers tents and Canker had ripped
out his watch, with an ugly frown on
his forehead, for three of his compa.
MES had just marched in from drill
and three of their young lieutenants
on the instant of dismissal, had made
straight for the vehicle and he half.
hoped to find they had Topped off a
minute or so of the allotted hour. The
sound of merry laughter seemed tc
crate on his ears. The sight of Gray's
beaming face seemed to deepen che
gloom in his own. Instinctively he
knew the youngster had come to ask g
favor and he stood ready to refuse.
Colonel, I'd like nightly to go ovel
and see that review this morning, sir;
and Mr.. Prime is good enough To offer
me seat in his carriage. May 1 go
sir?"
"Yop can't go anywhere, sir, with the
tents of your company in that disgrace.
full condition. Just look at them, sir!
as ragged as wash line on windy
day." And Canker scowled angrily al
the young fellow standing squarely al
attention before him.
lypoyv @h,{ oolo,oJ 1.,,x Az. ]
that while we were out at drill, and the
men will straighten everything in ter
minutes. I'll give the order now, SIR
And Billy looked as though refusal
were out of the question.
You'll stay and see it done, sir, and
when it's done-to my satisfaction
will be time enough to ask for favors
Mr.. Gordon, send word to the company
commanders I wish to see them here al
once" continued the senior officer
whirling on his heel and terminating
the interview by SO doing. 1t was il
Gray's mind for brief minute to fol
low and plead. He had made it tel
many time with an obstinate universe
ty don, but he knew the carriage wa,
waiting-the carriage load watching
and deep down in his heart there was
keen disappointment. He would have
given big slice of his monthly pay
to go with that particular party anc
occupy the seat opposite Amy Lawrence
and gaze his fill at her fair face. HI
well-nigh hated Squeers as he hurried
away to hail his first sergeant and give
the necessary orders before daring tt
return to the carriage and report his
failure. His bright blue eyes were
clouded and his face flushed with vex
alton, for he saw that the rearmos,
regiment was even now filing into the
Preside reservation afar off to the
north, and that no time was to be lost
if his friends were to see the review
The distant measured boom of guns
told that the general in whose honor
the ceremony was ordered was already
approaching the spot, and away ovel
the rolling uplands toward the Colder
Gate cavalry escort rode into view
Billy ground his teeth. run and tel
them cannot get leave" he called tc
fellow sub. "Squeers has set me tc
ks:m. "a i