Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-03-30

to me to read. II was written by the
post traders wife She says Mrs. Mer-
riwo9ther is really seriously ILL.,"
every good. Then he can go by the
ambulance. SO can your man, major.
Tell them both to report here at
O'Clock. Isn't Merriwcatber's time
nearly out, Ray"
"Only two months TO serve, sir, and
he says hos going into business with a
brother in Chicago. 1 lose three nom
commissioned officers this fall in that
way, and one of them | couldn't take
on again. He's all broken down with
wounds and rheumatism. You'll have
to favor mo bit in the matter Of re.
cruits, colonel / need six, or shall be.
fore we're a month older"
"You shall have the first good man
that enlists at Ransom, Ray. I'm told
we may pick up some first rate material
there, the mines have broken so many.
"All right, colonel, and III remind
you if 1 see any likely civilian hanging
around headquarters Good day, sir,
and thank you very much" So saying
Captain Ray wheeled about and trudgod
away uONE blItblI W MANI ltDOlb "
his battalion commander.
"Did be say Merriweather could go?"
asked the major, glancing up at Rays
sunshiuy face. Il wouldn't, il ! were
in his place.
"He wasn't overwilling at first, " was
the answer. However, my fellows
will all be wishing themselves back In
the field before they've been home
fortnight-small blame to them"
"What's the reason you're so down
on garrison life, BayY
I'm not down on it exactly, major,
but if it weren't for the wife and boys
I'd be glad if we were forever IN tbs
field, " answered Ray. "Men get killed
in this Indian business, but they-keep
out Of trouble. There's Merriweather,
now. lie was a tiptop sergeant in tho
Sioux campaign. He was one Of tho
best all round troopers and noncommis-
stoned officers in the regiment all
through the campaigns that followed in
the ufxt three years, and he been run
aing down steadily ever since he fell in
/ love with that fiibbertigibbet of Free.
mans. Garrison life and girls spoil
many good cavalryman," be conclud-
ed oracularly.
Don't dare me to tell that to Mrs.
Ray as your sentiments, grinnod the
major
con. everything depends on the girls,
of course, " said Ray, growing instantly
grave. "Blakey and I-wou, J, at
least, owe everything to my wife" he
4 E,,i-H,I "a, f'h.y,
emily he spoke again. but what chance
has the average trooper: What manner
of woman has he to mate with if ho
mate at all: Next batch Of recruits get
should be anchorites, so far Is women
are concerned. "
sailors are just as bad as soldiers, y
said Mainwaring sagely, whereat Blake
ducked his head under his blanket in
commissions of delight.
Il know, sir, " said Ray, glancinS
vengefully at the contortions of the
worn gray slumber robe and biting his
own lip hard to repress the bubbling
fun. "What mean is that I'd like 10
get the troop full of fellows that
couldn be twisted around woman's
finger"
You never will, Ray" said Main
waring, thereby proving that he knew
human nature, if not book. "You can
take your pick Of this gang that Raw
sons bringing out with him or Of any
Of the men that offer themselves "5 Ran
som, and I'm willing TO bet that the
next man you enlist will be woman
driven from the word 60"