Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-12-08
Copyright. ,sss. BY F. r.nny.on N.ely.l

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 II
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 bowed" answered the cynics. "He
never would have raised his finger to
help Carson but for the Joy of proving
the general unjust, and a regimental
pet, the sergeant thief"
Yet Gray reverted to this episode as
explanation of his tolerance of Canker's
harshness and thereby gave rise to
rejoinder from the lips of veteran
company commander that many a fell
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
guardian angel"
Yet on this sunshiny summer morn
ing, with hope and sunshine and con-
fldence 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 to
CRATE on his ears. The sight of Gray
beaming face seemed to deepen the
gloom in his own. 1nstinctively he
knew the youngster had come to ask a
favor and he stood ready to refuse.
Colonel, I'd like nightly to go over
and see that review this morning, sir;
and Mr.. Prime is good enough to offer
me seat in his carriage. May l go,
sir?"
You 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 at
the young fellow standing squarely at
attention before him.
II know that, colonel, but the sun did
that while we were out at drill, and the
men will straighten everything in ten
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 1 wish to see them here a
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 1t tel
, many time with an obstinate 2rs-ersi
, ty don, but he knew the carriage wa
waiting-the carriage load watching
and deep down in his heart there wa
keen disappointment. He would hav
given big slice of his monthly pa.
to go with that particular party an
, occupy the seat opposite Amy Lawrenc
and gaze his fill at her fair face. II
well-nigh hated Squeers as he hurrie,
? away to hail his FIRST sergeant and Civ
, the necessary orders before daring t
}. return to the carriage and report hi
failure. His bright blue eyes wcr
q clouded and his face flushed with veA
alton, for he saw that the rearmos
regiment was even now filing into til
a Preside reservation afar off to tn
a north, and that no time was to be los
if his friends were to see the review
> The distant measured boom of gun
told that the general in whose hone
, the ceremony was ordered was alread
approaching the spot, and away owe
! the rolling uplands toward the Golde
5 Gate cavalry escort rode into viey
Billy ground his teeth. run and tie
o them cannot get leave" he called
fellow sub. "Squeers has set me