The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1900-03-16
CHAPTER I'LL.

AnAG LEX III.
4 Cav had dawned on the Preside
Heights as brilliant as its predecessor
had been dismal. A soft south wind
had kept the fogs OF the Pacific far out
10 sea and cleared the summer SKY of
every wisp of vapOr. The sun Of early
August shOne hot and strong upon the
sandy wastes between the western linn
its of the division camps and the fOamy
strand beneath the low bluffs, and beat
upon the canvas homes of the rejoicing
sOldiery, stacking cloth and eordage so
that the trim tent lines had become
broken and jagged, thereby setting the
teeth OF '-Old Squeers" on edge as he
gazed grimly from under the brim ofhis
unsightly felt hat and called for his one
faithful henchman, the orderly. Even
his adjutant could not condOne the regi-
mental commanders Objectionable
traits. for a crustier old villain of a vet
eran lived not in the line Of the army.
-'Ould Canker" the troopers had dubbed
him during the few years he had served
IN the cavalry, transplanted from foot
regiment at the time of the reOrganiZa-
ton. so-called, of the army in Il; but
q few years of mounted duty in Arizona
and later in the Sioux country had sick
ened him Of cavalry life and he gladly
accepted a chance 10 transfer back TO
the infantry. Now, 20 years after,
risen by degrees to the grade Of lieuten-
ant-colonel. he found himself in com
mand Of a famous old regiment of regu-
lars, whose colonel had d0nned thestars
of a general officer Of volunteers, and
the pet name-saye the mark-Of cav
airy DAYS had given place 10 the unflat-
tering sobriquet derived from that hor-
rOr OF bOYish Teaders-the ill-favOred
schOolmastcr Of Dotheboys hall. He
had come 20 the -teenth with 4 halo
Of condemnation from the regiment in
which he had served as major and won
his baleful name. and the boys" of his
command soon learned 10 like him even
less than those who had dubbed him
--SqueeEs," because. as they explained,
there wasn't any privilege or pleasure
he would not do the boys" out Of if he
possibly could. Gordon had promptly
rendered his resignation as rcgimental
adiutant when his beloved colonel left
the post 10 report for duty IN the army
destined for Cuba. but Lieut.-cOl. Can
ller declined 10 accept AZ. and fairly told
Gordon that. as lie hadn't a friend
among the subalterDs. there WAS no one
else 10 take IL. Then, too. the colonel
himself added a word or two and settled
The matter.
A big review had been ordered for
The morning An entire brigade Of
sturdy volunteers was already forming
and marching out by battaliOns 10 their
regimensal parades, the men showing
in their easy stride and elastic carriage
the effects OF Two months hard drill and
gradually increasing discipline. The
regulars were still out in the park. hid
den by the dense foliage and busy with
their company drills The adjutant and
clerk UCrc II their papers in the big
Office ient- and only the sentries, the
sick and the special duty men remained
about The body OF camp There was no
one SAID Private NOonan 10 himself. as
DC paced the pathway IN font OF the
coloncl's tent. after having scrupulous-
ly saiutod him on his appearance: No
wan fur the Guild man 10 wback al. bar
rim its me" but even Cankcr could
find nothing 40 ~wback al" IN This vet
eran soldier who had served IN the
ranks since the days Of the great war
aud had borne the messages of such
men a. Sheridan. Thomas and McPher-
son when Canker himself WAS sweating
under has knapsaCt and muskct. Like
most men. eyea most Objectionable
men. Canker had some rcdeeming fea-
cures. and shat was one Of them-hc
had been . private soldier. and a brave
one. too and WAS proud Oft.
But life had little sunshine in il for
one CT bic warped. ili-conditioned ma
1ure. There Uas q profound conviction
On the minds Of The company officers
that The mere sight OF happiness or con
tent IN the face Of q subordinate was
more than enough 10 SET CaBker's wits
20 work 10 wipe il out. There was no
doubt whatever IN the minds Of the
aubeitsrns that the mas. reason why
Bqueers was SO manifeEfly down on
Billy Gray was the almost indestruct-
ble expression of good nature. jollity
and enthusiasm that had shown IN the
Gttle fellows face ever since he Joined
The regiment. IF we call the Old mar
Bgrsf = VIC should 6zls Rlly Marx Tap