The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-03-23
CHAPTER III.

A day had dnwned on the Preside
Heights as brilliant as it's predecessor
had been dismal. A soft south wind
had kept the fogs of the Pacific far out
to sea and cleared the summer sky of
every wisp of vapor. The sun of early
August shone hot and strong upon the
sandy wastes between the western linn
its of the division camps and the foamy
strand beneath the low bluffs, and beat
upon the canvas homes of the rejoicing
soldiery, stacking cloth and cordage so
that the trim tent lines had become
broken and jagged, thereby setting the
teeth of ''Old Squeers" on edge as he
gazed grimly from under the brim Of his
uDsightly felt hat and called for his one
faithful henchman, the orderly. Even
his adjutant could not condone the regi-
mental commanders Objectionable
traits, for crusticr old villain of n vet
eran lived not in the line of the army.
"Culd Canker" the troopers had dubbed
him during the few years he had served
in the cavalry, transplanted from foot
regiment at the time of the reorganiza-
ton, so-called, of the army in II; but
q few years of mounted duty in Arizona
and later in the Sioux country had sick
ened him of cavalry life and he gladly
accepted a chance to transfer back to
the infantry. Now, 90 years after,
risen by degrees to the grade of lieuten-
ant-colouel, he found himself in COM
mand of famous old regiment of regu-
lars, whose colonel had donned the stars
Of general officer of volunteers, and
the pet name-save the mark-of cav
airy days had given place to the untlat-
tering sobriquet derived from that hor-
ror of bcyish readers-the ill-favored
schoolmaster of Dotheboys hall. He
had come to the -teenth with halo
of condemnation from the regiment in
which he had served as major and won
his baleful name, and 1.-The boys" of his
command soon learned to like him even
less than those who had dubbed him
"Squeers," because, as they explained,
there wasn't any privilege or pleasure
he would not do the boys" out of if he
possibly could. Gordon had promptly
rendered his resignation as regimental
adjutant whcnshis beloved colonel left
the post to report for duty in the army
destined for Cuba, but Licut.-Col. Cam
ker declined to accept it. and fairly told
Gordon that, as he hadn't friend
among the subalterns, there was no one
else to take it. Then, too, the colonel
himself added word or two and settled
the matter.
A big review had been ordered for
the morning. An entire brigade of
sturdy volunteers was already forming
and marching out by battalions to their
regimcntal parades. the men showing
in their easy stride and elastic carriage
the effects of two months hard drill and
gradually increasing discipline. The
regulars were still out in the park, hid
den by the dense foliage and busy with
their company drills. The adjutant and
clerk were at their papers in the big
Office tent, and only the sentries, the
sick and the special duty men remained
about the body of camp. There was no
one, said Private Noonan to himself, as
he paced the pathway in front of the
colonel's tent, after having scrupulous-
~ saluted him on his appearance: mo
wan fur the ould man to whack at, bar
rim it's me-" but even Canker could
find nothing to "whack at" in this vet
eran soldier who had served in the
ranks since the days Of the great war
and had borne the messages of such
men - Sheridan. Thomas and McPher-