New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-25
4 GENTLEMAN R4NKER.
HOW HE SPOILED HIS LETTER

HOW HE SPOILED HIS LETTER
From The Pan Mail Gazette.
He was sitting with his back against a bowl
der his rifle barrel resting on d stone. the stock
a crumpled half sheet of paper.
This is deviIish hard work" ne said. but
must get IL done to-day / was always a poor
fist at a letter How do YOU spell reconnois-
sance'?"
Trooper 943 gave him his idea Of it
That's all wrong" he said. I'm sure there
isn't 4 k in it, But il doesn { matter. All my
speuings gone to the deuce ! never learned
anything at school. and not much since
Trooper 9+3 laughed Seems 10 me you know
a lot he said
No barney. II you don't know as much you
ought to be ashamed OF yourself"
Trooper 945 laughed again He was lying
his stomach with a sharp eye toward d possible
shoJ- A dozen other men we're intent on the
same business. while a couple more were look
ing after the horses
They never offered me no commission" ne
said
Well. I didn't take the one they offered me.
did 1? / made up my mind when I was q kid
wasn't going 10 be a gentleman 1 don't
why you should keep on staggering. Tell me
how 10 spell that blessed French officers name
and shut up 1 didn't see the good Of being
gentleman. like a lot Of chaps l knew; it didn't
look ike a trade that'd suit I did all sorts
of things TO harden myself; used to wrap up in
blanket and sleep the floor instead of in
bed. I daresay you think that was all tommy
rot. Well. p'raps it was"
\ bullet buzzed overhead. Trooper 943 sight
Got him 30
7 wouldn't ike to be the bIoks'g wife and
family"
Tell me if you see anything else. must get
this finished"
He scrubbed on for a time in silence. dropped
his pencil picked it up, and rose to stretch him
self.
Git down, stooptd!" said Trooper 943
4 second bullet buzzed. and the others right
arm dropped 70 his side.
Slick through the shoulder" he said He
sat down again. looking a little pale,
Now you've bin and Spoilt your 'andWriting"
said 9b3- Told yOu so Does il 'urtr
No. not much. Here just sign my name at
the end Of that letter will yOu?"
Trooper 943 signed the name in a shambIing
awkward hand. Then he began to grumbIe
again.
Just Ike you. The best in our little lot got
a ole in him. BIZ me if you amt daisy"
The other took the letter and Crammed it into
his pocket with his left hand
Shut up" ne said I shoot from the left
HauOi Look Out"'
The men We're on their feet and in the saddle
in moment, all but Trooper 94a, who fell TO
OF the twenty bullets that had spit among
them. The letter writer was down again in a
flash and had him across his horse. Trooper
!43 laughed again, though rather feebiy. We'll
You q daisy" ne said
The men scattered and rode of in sputter
Of bullets
Drop me" said Trooper 943. I'm be all right
You'll only git COPIED"
Shut up"
They did not get copied, but it was ride to
be remembered all the days of a mans life
Also. the letter spoiled
You ought TO ave the Y. c." said 943, some
hours later You fair saved me-"
DID T. said q voice from the next bed. And
you spoiIt my letter you ungrateful beggar. You
might have chosen somewhere else to bleed"
Trooper !43 gTiuned and tried TO turn his head
Fair saved me, you did he said. You amt
a gentleman. are you2 Oh. no."