The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-17

the tent with quick. impetuous STEP camo the
commanding officer himself, and something had
occurred TO stir that gentleman IN the core. His
eyes were swapping, and his head was high
"Mr Gordon" said he, here's more OF this
pilicring business, and now they're beginning
TO find out II isn't all in my camp by a damned
sight l want that letter copied at once" Then
with a glance at Gray who had whipped of his
cap and was standing in respectful attitude, he
changed his tone from his qucrulous hall treble
oil complaint whats this you'd best leave alone?
he suddenly demanded There are Al been things
you'd best leave alone and a dozen you would
do well To cultivate and study. When was
however, never was a lieutenant except In war-
time. when they amounted to something. got
my professional knowledge in front OF tho enemy
not at any damned charity school You're here to
ask some new Indulgence. suppose Want to
stay in town over night and ritter away your
money and tho time the government pays for.
No. sir; you can't have my consent You will
be back in camp at twelve o'clock. and stop and
report your return to the officer OF the guard, SO
that may know the hour you come In. Who's
the Officer of the qua I'd tonight Me Gordon"
"Mr Brooke sir"
"Mr Brooke, Why thought told you he
was 10 take those prisoners In town tomorrow
He has 10 testify before that court in the case OF
Sergeant Kelly and il saves my sending another
officer and having two OF our lieutenants away
from drill and hanging around the Bohemian
Club. Detail somebody else"
"All right, sir" answered Gordon, imperturb-
ably. Make any odds, sir. who is detailedT'
Canker turned to his desk and was tossing
over the papers with nervous hand. Gray i'm
pulsively stepped forward, his eyes kindling with
hope II was on the tip Of his tongue To launch
into a profer Of his own services Tor the detail
but Gordon hastily warned him back with sweep
OF the hand and portentous scowl
NO Ones as bad as the other Next thing
know some OF EN- will be letting prisoners escape
right under my nose making the laughing
stock OF these damned militia volunteers" Canker
entered service in 81 as private in city COM
pany that was militia 10 the tip OF its spketailed
coats, but he had forgotten it. Il want these
young ders to understand distinctly, by George.
that the first prisoner that gets away this
post takes somebody's commission with him.
D'you hear that Mr. Gray" And Cankcr turned
and glared at the bright blue eyes though he
would like to blast their clear fires with the breath
oil his disapprobation. Has that young Fellow,
Morton been put in irons yeti" he suddenly asked
whirling on Gordon again.
Think not sir. Supplies limited. Officer OF
the day reported hall an hour ago every set was
in use. Sent over To division quartermaster and
he answered we had dozen more'n were en-
titled 10, now Wanted TO know I We meant to iron
the whole regiment"
The hell he did" ragged Cankcr. an set
tie that in short order. My horse there, orderly!
I'll be back by Tour, Mr.. Gordon Fix that detail
TO suit yourself" And so saying the irascbe
colonel flung himself out of the tent and into his
saddle.
You young idiot" said Gordon. whrling on
Billy the moment the coast was clear. you came
within an ace of running the whole thing Never
ask Canker for anything unless it's what you
wish To be rid Of Tell Brooke you're for guard,
and he's To go to town instead"
Hopping mad" as he himself a1terward ex-
pressed it. Colonel Canker had ridden over 10
have il out" with the quartermaster who had
ventured 10 comment on his methods, but the
sight OF the commanding general standing alone
at the entrance 10 his private tent. his pale face
grayer than ever and a world OF trouble in his
eyes, compelled Cauker 10 stop short Two or
three orderlies were on then. Two aidcs-de-camp,
Mr. Garrison and comradc, were searching
through desks and boxes, their faces grave and
concerned. The rcgimental commander of
his horse in second Anything amiss gene
ral?" he asked. with soldierly salute
The general turned slowly toward him. Can
our men sell letters" he said "as we'll as food
and forage? Do people bug such things? most
important package has been stolen from my
tent"
CHAPTER VI.
The great thoroughfare OF that wonderful city.
seated on more than her seven hills. and ruling
the western world was thronged from curb Ia curb.
Gay with bunting and sreamers h, tall bu lings
Of the rival newspapers and the long facadcs Of
hotels and business blocks Gaycr still with
life and color and enthusiasm that crowded every
window Street traffic was blocked Cable cars
changed vany and the police stvOve valanuy
II was day given up TO but one duty and one
purpose, that Of giving God-spccd 10 til" soldicry
ordered for service in the distant Philippines. and
though they hailed from almost every section Of the
Union except the Pacific slope, though they
her own children, with all the hope and faith
and pride and patriotism, with all the blessings
and comforts with which she had loaded the fore
most ships that sailed, yet happily without the
tears that flowed when her own gallant regiment
among the first To lead the way San Fran
Cisco turned out en- masse to cheer the men from
far beyond the Sicrras and the Rockies, and 10
them proudly through the Golden Gate. Early
in the day the guns of a famous light battery had
been trundled decked like some rose covered
chariot at the summer festival Of flowers, through
the winding lanes Of eager forms and faces the
Cannoneers almost dragged from the ranks by the
Claspng hands Of men and women who seemed
powerless 10 let go. With their little brown car.
bines tossed iauntily the broad blue shoulders
half regiment Of regular calvary, dismounted,
had gone trudging down To the docks, checrcd TO
the gateway of the pier by thousands Of citizens
who seemed TO envy the very recruits who
only half-uniiormed and drilled, brought up
tho of the column. Once within the massive
wooden portals, the guards and sentries holding
back the importunate crowd, the soldiers flung
aside their heavy packs and were mnrshaed
before array OF tempting ab!cs and there
Toasted, comfored and reoiced under the
ministrations OF that marvellous successor
Of the Sanitary Commission of the great Civil
War Of the sixties-he noble order Of the Red Cross
There at those tables in the dust and din OF the
bustlng piers, in the SCOT and heat of the railway
station, in the lam and turmoil at the ferry houses
In the fog and chill Of the seward camps in the
fever haunted wards of crowded field hospitals
from dawn till dark from dark till dawn, toed
week after week devoted women in every grade of
life the wife Of the millionaire the daughter Of the
day laborer, the gently born the decatey reared,
the social pets and darings. the humble seam
stress no one too high to soop to aid the depart
ing soldier none too moor or low 10 drny him cheer