Willmar tribune., 1900-03-21
CHAPTER v.

S~SS'6S~s ~~11s " - s~"~y S~1A A>SSys4
CHAPTER v.
There had been a, morning of Jubilee
in the camp of the Fifth Separate bri
gade, and a row in the tents of the reg
ulars. Up to within fortnight suct
q state of affairs would have been con
sidered abnormal, for the papers woulo
have it that the former were on the
verge of dissolution through plague
pestilence and famine due to the neg
lect of officials vaguely referred to as
1.-The military authorities" or "the
staff" while up to the coming of Can
ker to command sweet accord had
reigned in the regular brigade, and the
volunteers looked on with envy. But
now a great martial magnate had
praised the stalwart citizen soldiery
whom he had passed in review early in
the day, and set them to shouting by
the announcement that, Us reward for
their hard work and assiduous drill,
they should have their hearts desire
and be shipped across the seas to far
Manila. It had all been settled before
hand at headquarters. The 'chief" had
known for four days that that partic-
ular command would be selected for
the next expedition, but it tickled 1.-The
boys" to have it put that way, and the
home papers would make SO much of
it. So there was singing and triumph
and rejoicing all along the eastern
verge of rocky, roughly paved cross
street, and rank blasphemy across the
way. To the scandal and sorrow of the
-teenth infantry some of the recent
robberies had been traced to their very
doors. A commissary sergeant had
''weakened," a cartman had squealed,
and one of the. most popular and at
tractive young soldiers in the whole
command was now prisoner in the
guardhouse charged with criminal
knowledge of the whole affair, and of
being large recipient of the ill-gotten
money-Morton, of the adjutant's Of
fee, private in company K.
What made it worse was the allega-
tlon that several others, non-commis-
stoned officers and Especial duty men,"
were mixed up in the matter, and Can
ker had rasped the whole commissioned
force present for duty in his lecture
upon the subject and had almost inti-
mated that officers were conniving at
the concealment of the guilt of their
sergeants rather than have it leak out
that the felony was committed in a
company of their commanding.
He and Gordon had had what was
described as ''red-hot" row, all be-
cause Gordon fatty declared that while
something was queer about the case of
the young clerk, he'd bet his bottom
dollar he wasn't thief. Canker said
such language was a reflection on him
self, as he had personally investigated
the case, was convinced Morton's guilt
could be established, and had so report
ed to the brigade commander in recon-
mending trial by general court-martial.
Indeed he had made out case against
the lad even before he was arrested and
returned to camp. Gordon asked if he
had seen the boy and heard his story.
Canker Redeemed and said he hadn't,
and he didn't mean to and didn't have
to. Gordon said he had-he had talked
with the lad fully and freely on his
being brought to camp toward nine
o'clock, and was greatly impressed with
his story-as would anyone else be
who heard it. Canker Redeemed still
more and said he wouldn't allow Of
ficers to interview prisoners without
his authority. "1'll prefer charges
against the next that does it, said he.
And not three hours later, Mr.. Billy
Gray, sprawling on his camp cot, striv-
ing to forget the sorrow of the earlier
morning, and to memorize a page of
para graphs of army regulations, was
suddenly accosted by an orderly who
stood at the front of the tent, scratch
ing at the tent Aap-the camp substi-
tute for a ring at the bell
"a note for the lieutenant" said he,
darting in and then darting out, pos
sibly, fearful of question. 1t was a
queer note:
II am total stranger to you, but wore
In brighter days the badge Of the same So
ciety that was yours at the university.
Three Of the fraternity are in my COM
pany-one is on guard and he urged me to
brother Delt. even though dare not tell
my real na:ze. What have to say is that
the charge against me Is utterly false, as
I can convince You, but could not con-
vince a court. am confined at the mo-
ment OF all others n z:.y life when It is most
vitality important that I should be free.
Grant me ten minutes interview this aft
ri ff1 n Cr,,i1t
less viii ask no favor-but when do con-
vince you. do as you would be done by.
"Yours in Il = K,
GEORGE NORTON"
"Well, I'll be blessed!" said Mr.. Gray,
as he rolled out Of his gray blanket.
Here's q state OF things! Listen to
this, captain" he called to his company
commander in the adjoining tent.
"Here's Morton, back from 4s hours
absence without leave, brought back
by armed guard after sharp resist
ance, charged with Lord knows what
all, wants to tell me his story and prove
his innocence"
"You let him alone," growled his
senior. Remember what .Canker said,
or you'll go in arrest. What call has
Morton on you, I'd like TO know?"
The lad flushed. Fraternity was
very sacred thing in the 4 = K It
was "the most exclusive crowd at the
varsity" Its membership was pledged
to one another by unusual ties. It was
the hardest society for fellow to get
into in any one Of the seven colleges
whereat it dourished. and its mystic
bonds were not shaken. of with the
silken gown and mortar board" of
undergraduate days, but followed its