The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-23

Ola ward, he felt the greatest interest
~. lie drinks" he muttered, as he crossed
ene parade 10 barracks. That little devil
Sammy's taken to driakin.' 0. helir'
ana long after taps the dog robber Law
him. ""i OFe'
ne worst thing is" he pondered. "the
no uldht get that dose at the club. like
an officer and O gentleman. He swat
COWS his medicine all by himself. in his
room Sammy's a lone fisherman. and
they're no good''
lie was at Owens quarters before rev.
ellie Ihe lieutenant lay on the sitting
room lounge, his blouse open, breathing
stehtorously. He had not been 10 bed
On the floor beside him lay an emptv hot
tie. His fingers, hanging HfelessIy to
lhe moor, seemed to feel for It, Spud
shook him silently. but with little effect.
Inc servant ran to the hydrant in the
Eard and came back with a bucket of
water which he sluiced vigorously over
the lleutenant's face and chest. He put
ahother coat on him somehow, gave him a
merry gulp of liquor and hustled him out
on the parade just in time to report his
stables.
This here rackets got to be stopped. -
SAID Murphy, IF either Sammy Owen or
mes going to face New York again and
hold up our heads in the ward. Gee!
He'll be under arrest in a week at this
rate!
From that day Spud Murphy went about
MS new work with an altogether unusual
reucence and with a faithful devotion
Whlch was novel, He seldom now de-
claimed, as he had been wont 10 declairn
on the valor and virtues of his beloved
clty,s Inhabitants, among whom he reck-
ohed dearest his erstwhile neighbors. the
prosperous Owens. But if the new lieu-
tenants name was mentioned in his hear
ing, his quick eye turned sharply on the
speaker and his big ears cooked I'D like
a terriers. He heard little said against
ms master and protege, for Owen attend
ed 20 his routine duties and did not at
tempt radical reforms after the manner
OF some ambitious johnnies-come-.a tely.
Gradually feeling OF pity spread in the
troop for the youngster, who was so o,1iet
ana courteous, yet so nervous at times
ana always so gray faced and unhealthy
looking. AS for his fellow-officers. thew
found that, in spite OF his apparent deli
cacy, Owen could do fairly well all things
mat they did. He rode shot, danced, box
ed played poker or billiards with that
decent average success which excites
neither contempt nor Jealousy. He never
drank, and was methodical in his duties
as man who in time would make AZ mod
ell regimental quartermaster or fill some
SUCH place, where rivers We're never ex-
pected to be set on fire
But Spud, writing home in these days
10 ms old father a saloon keeper in the
dearly loved ward, grew mendaciously he
role in his descriptions of Sammy's sue
cesses. He's an honor to us ALL" said
Spud, and We'll be prouder of him some
Gay even than of his father. I hear old
owens to go to the Senate. He may be
PRESIDENT yet, and Samll be a general
in time, if the saints allow a war. Horray
for the old ward! It's men we breed
there"
Spud grinned sardonically as he wrote
but how proud old Murphy was to show
that letter across the bar TO his nncient
chum, the member from the district!
Owen, senior, blew his nose violently when
he read 1t and Strengthened UP like a
youngster He slipped a 500 bill in an en-
velope, with an encouraging line to Spud
suggesting that his pull in Washington
might do something for an old friend 8
son. Spud spent the money honorab
with the boys across the post traders bar
but asked for no help through Washing
ton.
Twill break the old mans heart"
thought he, "when the Truths known"
Little DR.. May, who was known to Of
ficers and men alike, SO Immediately ap-
propriate was the nickname, as the kid"
was then The contract surgeon, or "citizen
doctor" attached to the post. He was
smoking his last pipe before turning in
one night, when a knock came to the
outer door of his quarters. Opening it,
the light of the lamp fell upon Spud Muir
phys face.
Lieut.. Owens almighty bad. Will We
come and see him?'
The Kid put away the lamp, asked some
questions, put few things in his pockets,
and stepped off to Owens quarters at the
end of the row, somewhat Isolated from
the rest. Owen had the house all to him
self. Spui followed five PAGES behind, as
was seemiy. At the house he gained on
the doctor. and spoke hesitatingly.
Doctor yen soon see for yourself, and
It's no use lying about it. Tiff it's not
against the rules and regulations, villa we
keep it to yourself? It's drink"
DR.. May whirled on his heel and stared
at the man. No one had ever seen Lieut..
owen drink. He whirled again and en-
tered, and Spud Murphy followed him.
On the edge of the bed sat the unhappy
young officer shaking horribly, while great
drops of perspration trickled down his
cheek His face was ashen. His eyes were
full of pitiful horror.
Doctor" he cried. and tottered to the
Kid. Save me! For Gods sake, save
mep'
The clean-shaven, plump rosiness of The
Kids cheeks were in strong contrast to
the gray leanness of OWENS. As great was
the difference between his cool firmness
and OWENS horrible unstrung condition.
Get back into bed" said the doctor,
land tell me what all this is about"
Then followed a wretched, CHASTITY scene.
as the young officer, with shaking voice
and weak tears, chartered incoherently.
He told OF his last year at West Point
where the vice had got hold firmly of him.
how he had escaped detection marvelously,
and how, when on his leave, after gradua-
ton, he had let himself go. He had hoped
the new life on the plains would help him
to freedom, but-Spud Murphy alone knew
of the hopeless fight in the bachelors guar
ters
He kept on crying-"Save me, doctor,
save mel"
The doctor spoke TO Spud, who stood off
in the shadows, watching Owen with a