Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-03-24


thing. got my professional knowl.
edge in front of the enemy-not at any
damned charity school. You're here
70 ask some new indulgence, suppose,
want to stay In town over night and
fritter away your money and the time
the government pays for. No, sir; yoL
cant have my consent. You will be
back in camp at IL o'clock, and stop
and report your return to the officer
OF the guard. 80 that I may know the
hour you come in. Who's officer Of the
guard tonight, Mr.. Gordon?"
Mr.. Brooke, SIR"
"Mr. Brookel Why. thought I tolA
you he was to take those prisoners in
town tomorrow. He has to testify be-,
fore that court in the case of SerQt.
Kelly and it saves my sending another
officer and having two of our lieutens
ants away from drill and hanging
around the Bohemian club. Detail
somebody else!"
"All right, sir" answered Gordon,
imperturbably. snake any odds, sir,
who is detailed?"
Canker had turned to his desk an
was tossing over the papers with nerv.
Gus hand. Gray impulsively stepped
forward, his eyes kindling with hope.
1t was on the tip of his tongue to launch
into proffer of his own services TO:
the detail, but Gordon hastily warned
him back with sweep Of the hand and
portentous scowl.
mo. Ones as bad as the other.
Next thing l know some Of 'em will be
letting prisoners escape right under
my nose. making us the laughing stock
of these damned militia volunteers"
(Canker entered service in 81 as .
private in a city company that was mil
'tia to the tip of its spike-tailed coats,
but he had forgotten it.) Iwant these
young idlers to understand distinctly.
by George, that the first prisoner that
gets away from this post takes some
body's commission with him. D'you
hear that, Mr.. Gray?" And Canker
turned and glared at the bright blue
eyes as though he would like to blast
their clear fires with the breath of his
disapprobation. HAS that young fell
low. Morton. been put in irons yet?"
he suddenly asked, whirling on Gordon
again.
'Think not, sir. Supplies limited.
Officer of the day reported half an hour
ego every set was in use. Sent over to
division quartermaster and he an
swered we had dozen more'n we were
entitled to now. Wanted to know Z we
meant to iron the whole regiment"
THE he'! he didl" ragged Canker.
"I'll settle that in short order. My
horse there, orderly! I'll be back by
four, Mr.. Gordon. Fix that detail to
suit yourself" And 10 saying the
irascible colonel flung himself out Of
the tent and into his saddle.
"You young IDIOT" said Gordon,
whirling 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"
"Iopping mad" as he himself after
ward expressed 1t, Col. Canker had
ridden over to "have it out" with the
auartermaster who had ventured to
comment on his methods, but the sight
of the commanding general, standing
alone at the entrance to his private tent,
his pale face grayer than ever and q
world of trouble in his eyes, compelled
Canker to stop short. Two or three
orderles were ON the run. Two aids
de-c~mp, Capt. Garrison and COM
rade were searching through desks and
boxes, their faces grave and concerned.
The regimental commander was of his
horse in a second. Anything amiss,
general?" he asked, with Eoldierly
salute.
The general turned slowly toward
him. Can our men sell letters" he
said, ''as we'll as food and forage? Do
people buy such things? A most i'm
portant package has been-stolen from
my tent"