The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-03-09
iCopyrig!t 1899. by r. Tennyson Nee,y.l

] fornia his home, Billy had spent years
in camp and field and saddle and knew
the west as he could never hope to know
Haswell. The only natural soldier of
his class when, sorely against the will
of most, they entered the student bat
talon, he promptly won the highest
| chevrons that could be given in the
sophomore year, and, almost as prompt
ly, lost them for ''lates" and absences.
When the varsity was challenged by a
neighboring institute to a competitive
drill the scouts" of the former report
ed that the crack company of the San
Pedros had the snappiest captain they
ever saw, and that, with far better ma
terial to choose from, and more of it.
the varsity wouldn't stand ghost of n
show in the eyes of the professional
judges unless Billy would "brace up
and take hold" Billy was willing as
Barkis, but the faculty said it would
put premium on laXity to make Billy
varsity captain, even though the pres
ent incumbcnts were ready, any of
them, to resign in his favor. "Prex"
said no in no uncertain terms; the chal-
lenge was declined, whereat the rival
institute crowed Justify and the thing
got into the papers. AS result a select
company of student volunteers was
formed; its members agreed to drill an
hour daily in addition to the prescribed
work, provided Billy would take hold"
in earnest, and this was the company
that, under his command, swept the
boards six weeks later and left San
Pedro's contingent an amazed and dis
gusted crowd. Then Billy went to
metaphorical pieces again until the war
clouds overspread the land; then like
his fathers son he girded up his loins,
went in for commission and won.
And here he was Sub" in Uncle Sans
stalwart infantry with three classmates
serving under him in the ranks and half
Il dozen more, either as junior officers
or enlisted men, in the camps of the
volunteers. He was handsome boy,
n healthy, hearty boy, and, as boys go,
rather a good boy-a boy in whom his
mother would have found, had she not
long since been lifted above the cares
of this world, much of comfort and
more to condone, but a boy, neverthe
less, who had given his old dragon of
a dad many an anxious hour. Now,
just as he nearcd the legal dividing line
between youth and years of discretion,
Billy Gray had joined the third bat
talon of his regiment, full of pluck,
hope and health, full of ambition to
make a name for himself in profession
he loved as, except his father, he GER
tain1y loved nothing else, and utterly
scoffing the idea that there might come
into his life a being for the sake of
whose smile he could almost lay down
his sword, for he had yet to meet Amy
Lawrence.
headquarters, Billy?" asked youth of
his own years and rank, peering eagerly
through the drifting mist at the dim,
ghostly outlines of the generals camp.
Didn't get to see 'em. Where's the
old man-the colonel?" was the reply.
"Chief wants him toot de sweet"
whats wanted 2" called voice from
the biggest of the neighboring tents,
and close-cropped head was thrust
out between the front tent flaps. THAT
YOU, Billy? Who wants the colonel
He and the "brig" rode over to the Pre-
sidio an hour ago-ain't got back. Come
in; I've started fire in our oil stove"
A puff of warm air blew from the inte-
rior and confirmed the statement. 1t
was we'll along in summer, and not n
dozen miles away to the east men were
strolling about with palm-leaf fans and
wilted collars. Here, close to the gray
shores of the mighty sea, blankets and
overcoats were in demand. Hospitality
the older officer tugged at the lacings
| of the military front door, swore be-
tween his set teeth when the knots,
| swollen by the wet, withstood his eff
forts, and then shouted:
Sergeant major, send somebody here
to open this"
| A light footstep sounded on the
| springy board floor. nimble fingers
worked a moment at the cords, then
: the flap was thrown open and the adj
! jutant's Office stood partially revealed.
1t was big wall tent backed up against
another of the same size and pattern.
Half a dozen plain chairs. two rough
board tables Uttered with books, pa
pers and smoking tobacco, an oil stove
and q cheap clothes rack on which were
hanging raincoats, ponchos and cape
or two, comprised all the furniture. In
a stout frame of unplaned wood, cased
in their oilskins and tightly rolled
stood the national and state colors OF
the famous regiment; and back of them
we'll within the second tent, where one
clerk was just lighting camp lantern