Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-05-18
A GENTLEMAN RANKER.
How He Spoiled His Letter - Tho,
Troopers Life.

Troopers Life.
He was sitting with his back againsti
a bowlder, his rifle barrel resting ON Al
stone, the stock on his knees. He was
using the stock. for a desk and was
writing laboriously in pencil on
crumpled half-sheet of paper, says the
Pail Mall Gazette.
"This is devilish hard work." he said,
"but must get it done to-day. l was
always poor fist at letter. How
DO you spell reconnoissanceW
Trooper 943 gave him his idea of it.
That's all wrong" he said. I'm
sure there isn't * in it. But it doesn't
matter. All my spelling's gone to the
deuce. never learned anything at
school, and not much since"
Trooper 943 laughed. Seems to me
you know lot" he said.
"No barney! If you don't know as
much you ought to be ashamed off
yourself" /
Trooper 943 laughed again. He was
lying on his stomach with a sharp eye
toward possible shot. A dozen other
men were intent on the same business,
while couple more were looking after
the horses.
''They never offered me no commits
sion," he said.
well, l didn't take the one they Of
fered me, did l? l made up my mind
when l was kid wasn't going to be
gentleman. l don't see why you
should keep on snickering. Tell me how
to spell that blessed French otficers
name, and shut up. didn't see the
good of being gentleman like lot
: of chaps l knew; it didn't look like a
/ trade that'd suit me. l did all sorts
Of things to harden myself used tOi
wrap up in blanket and sleep on the
floor instead of in bed. dare say you
think that was all tommy rot. Well,
I p'r'aps 1t was"
A bullet buzzed overhead. Trooper
943 sighted and fired.
"Got him?"
and family"
''Tell me If you see anything else.
must get this finished"
He scribbled on for time in silence,
dropped his pencil, picked it up, and
rose to stretch himself.
"Git down, stoopidw said Trooper
943.
A second bullet buzzed and the 9TH
er's right arm dropped to his side.
"Slick through the shoulder" he said.
He sat down again, looking little
pale.
Now you've bin and spoilt your 'and1
writing" said 943. Told you so. Does
it 'urt?"
mo, not much. Here, just sign my
name at the end of that letter, will
your
Trooper 943 signed the name in a
shambllng, awkward hand. Then he
began to grumble again.
Just like you! The best in our little
lot got ole in him. BIZ me, If you
amt daisy!'
The other took the letter and cram
med 1t into his pocket with his left
hand.
"Shut up," he said. 'T can shoot
from the left. Hello! Look outv'
The men were on their feet and in
the saddle in moment, all but Troop
er 943, who fell to one of the twenty
bullets that had spit among therl. The
letter writer was down again in a flash
and had him across his horse. Trooper
Dab laughed again, though rather fee
bly,. well, you are daisyw he said.
The men scattered and rode off in a
sputter of bullets.
Drop me-" said Trooper 943. "Pll
be all right. You'll only git copped."
shut upr'
They did not get copped. but 1t was
a ride to be remembered all the days
of mans life. Also, the letter was
spoiled.
"You ought to ave the V. c." said
043, some hours later. "You fair saved
me-"
'Did IT' said voice from the next
bed. "And you spoilt my letter, you
ungrateful beggar. You might have
chosen somewhere else to bleed"
Trooper 943 grinned and tried to turn
his head.
Fair saved me, you did" he said.
'You amt gentleman, are you? Oh,
nor
Schooiboys Being DemoraIized.
A New York superintendent of
l..