The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1900-05-24
A GENTLEMAN RANkER.
How He Spoiled His Letter = The
Troopers Life.

n I wider. MS rlne Darfel festlns oh /"
stone, the stock on his knees. lie was
using the stock for desk and was
writing labor1ously in pencil on
crumpled half-sheet of paper, says the
Pail Mall Gazette.
.'This is devilish hard work. he said
''but | must get 1t done to-day. was
always poor fist at a letter. How
do you spell reconnaissance
Trooper 943 gave him his idea of II.
''Thats all wrong" he said. Il m
sure there isn't X in it. But II doesn'
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 a lot" he said.
mo barney! II you don't know as
much you ought to be ashamed OF
yourself"
Trooper 943 laughed again. He was
lying on his stomach with sharp eye
toward a possible shot. A dozen other
men were intent on the same business.
while a 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 /? | made up my mind
when | was a kid | wasn't going TO be
a gentleman. | don't see why you
should keep on snlckering. Tell me how
to spell that blessed French officers
name, and shut up. | didn't see the
good Of being a gentleman, Ike a lot
of chaps l knew; 1t didn't look like
trade that'd suit me. did all sorts
of things to harden myself; used 10
wrap up In a blanket and sleep on the
floor instead of in bed. dare say you
think that was all tommy rot. Well.
p'r'aps 1t was"
A bullet buzzed overhead. Trooper
943 sighted and fired.
Got him?''
al wouldn't ike to be the bloke's wife
and family"
Tell me If you see anything else.
must get this finished"
He scrubbed on for time in silence.
dropped his pencil, picked 1t up, and
rose to stretch himself
.'Git down, stoopidr 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 a little
pale.
''Now you've bin and spollt your and
writing" said 943. Told you so. Does
1t 'urtT
''No, not much. Here, just sign my
name at the end of that letter, will
your
Trooper 943 signed the name in a
awkward hand. Then he
began to grumble again.
lust like you! The best in our little
lot got ole in him. BIZ me, if you
amt daisyw
The other took the letter and cram
med 1t into his pocket with his left
hand.
from the left. Hello! Look outl'
The men were on their feet and in
the saddle in moment, all but Troop
er e43, who fell to one of the twenty |
bullets that had spit among them. The
letter writer was down again in fash |
and had him across his horse. Trooper |
943 laughed again, though rather fee
bly,. well, you are a daisyr' he said.
The men scattered and rode off In a |
sputter Of bullets.
drop me-" said Trooper 943. I'll
be all right. You'll only git copied"
"Shut up"'
They did not get COPIED, but It was
4 ride to be remembered all the days
Of a mans life. Also, the letter was
spoiled.
"You ought to ave the V. c." said
Dab, some hours later. You fair saved
me-"
Ibid ~ said a voice from the next |
bed. And you spoilt my letter, you
I'M grateful 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 a gentleman, are your oh,
nAn