The National tribune., 1899-03-16
restle. ard when the grapple was over /.


a crack on the head and the camp fever"
" Into anything to put in the time?"
= Naah, " said Shorty weariedly Nearly
dead for something Awful sfoop:d LAWN
around up there among them hayseeds, doin'
no'hin'. Jest rUn down to Jacksonville TO
see If | couldn't strike something that'd
some life in it,
" Well, kin let You into a good thing.
I've hin rnnnin' that Shelang over there.
with another man. and dom we'll but he
let his temper gt away with him. and slip
ped knife into sucker, and they've got
him IN Jail. where he'll stay awhile | must
have another partner Got any money!"
q" hundred or so. y answered Shorty.
! Well, that enough. don't want
money so much as the right kind of a man.
Put up your stuff and I'll let You in cahoots
with me- and we'll make barI o. money
out o these new troops that'll begin coming
down this week"
- like the idee But how do you know
you Kin run your game. This Provost-Mar-
shall -
90 the Provost's all right. He's an old
friend o mine | have him dead to rights
Only whack up fair with him, and YOUR all
right. Only pinches them that want to hog on
him, and won't share I've bin runnin' right
along here for weeks, and We had no trouble
/ give up nav little divvy whenever he asks
for it.
| IL | was only certain o. that" said
Shorty meditatiyely, "pd -
Certain? Come right over here to that
ranch, and have drink, and III show YOU
SOS YOU can't lie mistaken / tell you, Pm
solid rs a rock with him
When seated at a quiet table with their
glasses in front of them, the gambler pulled
some papers from his breast pocket, and
selecting one, showed it at Shorty with the in
quiry: There, what do you think o. that ?"
Shorty read over laborously:
Deer Bat: Send me so please set b.
hind two small rair last night, while the
other Teller had a full, & line strapt this
morning Yores. Billings"
| That seems convincing" said Shorty
Then look at this" said the gambler,
| producing another paper. 1t read:
Deer Bat: Got yorc 500 all right. but
doant send by that man again. He's shaky,
and talks too much. Bring 1T yourself, or
put it in an envelope directed to me, & drop
1t in my box. Yores, Billinga"
That's enough" said Shorty, with his
mind in a tumult, as to how he was to get
| these papers into his possession. III 90 IN
! with you, if you'll take me. Here's my
fist"
He reached out and shook hands with Bat
Meacham over the bargain, and called to the
| waiter, Here, fill 'em up agin."
Shorty Palled some papers out of MS
pocket to search for his money, and fumbled
them over. There were two pieces among
them resembling the scraps on which Billings
had written his notes. They contained some
army dOggerel which the poet Of Co. Q had
written, and Shorty was carrying about as
| literary treasures.
r. o. Al.
placed the glasses, and Shorty lifted up the
gamblers papers to permit him 10 do So He
laid down his own papers instead and with
them $40 bill
There" he said; 81 find that's all the
money I have with ME, but it's enough to
bird the bargain. | left couple hundred
| with the clerk at the tavern. III 90 right
up and git it, and we'll settle the thing right
here.
Very good, replied Bat Meacham; git
| back as quick as you Kin. You'll find me
either here or hangiu' around near. Let's
fix the thing up and git ready | think q
new regiment'll be down here tomorrow,
and all the men'll have their first instaIlment
o. bounty and a months pay"
| Shorty hurried back to Headquarters and
laid his precious papers before the Chief
| Clerk, who could not contain his exul:atien
4
General sees these in the morning. - he ex-
claimed. Hes gone out to camp. now, CT
I'd take them right to him. But he shah
have them first thing in the morning"
| The next morning Shorty waited with
eager impotence, while the General was
closeted with his Chief Clerk Presently
the General stepped to the door and said
sternly:
Corporal"
''Yes, sir" said Shorty springing to his
| feet and salutiHg.
Go down at once to the Proyost-MarshaPs
offire and tell Col. Billings to come to
| Headquarters at once. To come at once,
| without a moments delay"
| Yes, SIR" said Shorty saluting, with
furtire wiz at the Chief Clerk, which said
as plainly as words, No presenting compli-
ments this time"
He found Billings all unconscious Of the
impending storm, dealing out wrath ON those
who were hauled before him
Col Billings said Shorty, standing stiff
as a ramrod and curly salnting the Cen
eral wants you to come to Headquarters at
once"
Very well, " replied Billings; report to
the General that III come rs sUOn as dispose
of this business"
''That'lI not do said Shorty with stern
imperiousness. The General orders with
gloating emphasis on orders y you TO drop
everything else, and come instantly. YOURS
to 30 right hack with me-
Shorty enjoyed the manifest CONSERVATION
in BillDgs's face as he heard this summons
The men of the Office pricked up their ears,
and looked meaningly at one another.
Shorty saw it all, and s,Ood as straight and
stern as if about to lead Billings to execu.
ton.
Billings, with scowTing face picked up his
hat, buttoned his coat, and walked out
do You know what the General wants
with me, Shorty?'' he asked in a concilia-
tory way, when they were alone together on
the sidewalk.
- Sly names Corporal Elliott. You will
address me rs such," answered Shorty
go to the devil, " said Billings.
Billings tried to assume a eheerfuly- genial
air as he entered the Generals Office but the
grin faded at the sight of the Generals stern
couutenance.
'Col- Billings" said the General, hand
ing him the two pieces Of paper, do you
recognize these"
@Cant say that do" answered Billings.
pretending to examine them while he could
recover his wits sufficiently for q line Of de-
tense.
Don't attempt to lie to me-" said the
- 4 II =