The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-04-21

wild beast who was heading for the
cavalry parade ground. stopping now
and again to send back shot and o
curse in the direction of his pursuera
"l'll learn you to spy on mel ne
shouted "I'll learn you to give me
dorg's namesl Come on. the ole lot of
you Colonel John Anthony Deever, G
b. l"-he turned toward the infantry
mess and shook his rifle-''you think
yourself the devil of a man, but tell
you that If You put your ugly old car
cass outside of that door, l IL make You
the poorest lookin man in the army
Come out, Colonel John Anthony Dee
yer, G, b. Come out an see me prac-
tiss on the range. I'm the crack shot
of the ole bloomin battalion. In proof
of which statement Simmons fred at
the lighted windows of the messhouse
Private Simmons compny, on
the cavalry p'rade ground. sir, with 80
rounds, e" said sergeant breathlessly
to the colonel "Shootin right an lef'.
sir Shot Private Losson. What's to be
done, sir2''
Colonel John Anthony Deever, G. B.,
sailed out. only to be saluted by
squirt of dust at his feet
"Pull upl' said the second in com.
mand. ~ don't want my step in that
way. colonel He's as dangerous as a
mad dog.
"Shoot him like one, then, said the
colonel bitterly. 'if he won't take his
chance My regiment tool If it had
been the Towheads. could have under
stood "
Private Simmons had occupied a
strong position near n well on the edge
of the parade ground and was defying
the regiment TO come on The regiment
was not anxious TO comply with the re-
| quest, for there is small honor in being
shot by "A fellow private. Only Corporal
Slane, rifle in hand, threw himself
down on the ground and wormed his
way toward the we'll
Don't shoot, y said he to the men
ronnd him. Like as not you Il it me
/ I'll catch the beggar Twin. "
Simmons ceased shouting for awhile
and the noise of trap wheels could be
heard across the plain. Major Oldyne
commanding the horse battery. was
coming back from a dinner in the civil
lines; was driving after his usual Gus
tom-that is to say, as fast as the horse
could 90.
"A OFF cert A bloomin spangled
OFF cer" shrieked Simmons. "I'llmake
a scarecrow of that OFF CERT The trap
stopped
whats this2" demanded the major
of gunners "You, there-drop your
riAel'
"Why. it's Jerry Blazesl | amt got
no quarrel with you, Jerry Blazes
Pass, frien', an all S WE'LL"
But Jerry Blazes had not the faintest
intention Of passing n dangerous muir
derer He was, as his adoring battery
swore long and fervently. without
knowledge of fear, and they were sure
ly the best judges, for Jerry Blazes, it
was notorious, had done his possible to
kill a man each time the battery went
out
He walked toward Simmons with the
intention of rushing him and knocking
him down
Don't make me do it, sir, said
Simmons. II amt got nothin az in
you Ah2 You wouldY' The major
broke into a run. Take that, thenl'
The major dropped with bullet
through his shoulder, and Simmons
stood over him He had lost the salts
faction of killing Losson in the desired
way but here was a helpless body to
his hand Should he slip in another
cartridge and blow off the head or with
the butt smash in the white facel He
stopped to consider, and cry went up
from the far side of the parade ground,
Hes killed Jerry Blazes" But in the
shelter of the well pillars Simmons was
safe, except when he stepped out to fire
"I'll blow your 'andsome cad off, Jerry
Blazes, said Simmons reflectively
"Six an three is nine an one is ten, an
that leaves me another 10 an one for
myself He tugged at the string of the
second packet of ammunition. Corporal
Slane crawled out of the shadow of a
bank into the moonlight
II see your said Simmons, Come
bit furder on, an I'll do for you.
"Im comm. said Corporal Slane
briefly. you done bad days work
Sim Come out ere an come back with
me.
Come to- laughed Simmons
sending cartridge home with his
thumb mot before I've settled you
an Jerry Blazes.
The corporal was lying at full length
in the dust of the parade ground, a rifle
under him Some of the less cautious
men in the distance shouted "Shoot
im Shoot i'm, Slaner'
"You move and or foot, Slane, said
Simmons, ian I'll kick Jerry Blazes'
cad in an shoot you after.
81 amt movin. said the corporal.
raising his head "You darent it a
man on is legs Let go of Jerry Blazes
an come out Of that with your fstes.
Come an it me You darent you
bloomin dog shooter
II darel'