The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1900-06-22
A eEN1LEMAN RANKER

/ bOwlder. his rife barrel resting on a.
stone, the stock on his knees. He was
using the stock for a desk and was
writing labOriously in pencil on a
half-sheet of paper says the
Pail Mall Gazette.
This is devilish hard work" he said,
"but 1 must get it done to-day. l was
always a poor fist at a letter. How
10 you spell Reconnaissance
Trooper 943 gave him his idea OF It.
That's all wrong" he said. I'm
sure there isn't * in 1t. But it doesn't
matter. All my spelling's gone to the
deuce. 1 never learned anything at
school, and not much since"
Trooper 943 laughed. Seems to me
you know a lot" he said.
"No blarneyl If you don't know as,
much you ought to be ashamed on
yourself"
Trooper 943 laughed again. He was
lying on his stomach with a sharp eye
toward a possible shot. A dozen other
men were intent on the same business,
while a couple more We're looking after
the horses.
They never offered me no commits
sion," he said.
"Well, didn't take the one they Of
fered me, did I? l made up my mind
when was a kid l wasn't going to be
a gentleman. I don't see why you
should keep on snickering. Tell me how
to spell that blessed French officers
name, and shut up. 1 didn't see the
good of being a gentleman, like lot
Of chaps l knew; it didn't look like a
trade that'd suit me. 1 did all sorts
of things to harden myself; used to
wrap up in a blanket and sleep on the
floor instead Of in bed. / dare say you
think that was all tommy rot. Well,
pr'aps 1t was"
A bullet buzzed overhead. Trooper
943 sighted and fired.
Got him?"
II wouldn't like to be the bloke's wife
and family"
Tell me If you see anything else. l
must get this finished"
He scrubbed on for a time in silence,
, dropped his pencil, picked it up, and
rose to stretch himself
cit down, stoopidr' said Trooper
943.
= A second bullet buzzed and the 9TH
5 er's right arm dropped to his side.
D "Slick through the shoulder" he said.
J. He sat down again, looking little
pale.
+ "Now you've bin and spoilt your and
writing" said 943. Told you so. Does
it 'urtT
NO, not much. Here. just sign my
name at the end of that letter, Will
I you?"
Trooper 943 signed the name in a
stumbling, awkward hand. Then he
began to grumble again.
Just like you, The best in our little
u lot got ole in him. BIZ me, if you
amt a daisy"
The other took the letter and cram
a med it into his pocket with his left
e hand.
e. shut up" he said II can shoot
If from the left Hellol Look out"'
d The men were on their feet and in
If the saddle in moment all but Troop
lie er 943, who fell to one Of the twenty
re bullets that had spit among therl. The
b. letter writer was down again in tiasf
and had him across his horse. Trooper
943 laughed again, though rather fee
bly, We'll, you are a daisy. he said
The men scattered and rode off in I
sputter of bullets.
Drop me-" said Trooper 943. "I'l
be all right You'll only git copied"
"Shut upr'
They did not get COPIED, but it wa
a ride to be remembered all the day
of a mans life. Also, the letter wa
| spoiled.
You ought to ave the V. c. sal
94S. some hours later. You fair save
me-"
Did To- said voice from the mex
bed. "And you spoilt my letter, 70
ungrateful beggar. You might hay
chosen somewhere else to bleed"
Trooper 943 grinned and tried to tur
his head.
Fair saved me. you did" he SAT-
You amt a gentleman, are you? Ol
nor'
Schoolboys Being DemOralized.