The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-02-16

me. This IS for the special box, so it
will reach you sooner than a regular
letter
I send little "tenner" from your
loving Valentine. JACK.
The second letter was written that
right after taps. and read as follows:
Dear Miss Ware.
They are good enough to let US
send q line to greet you on your birth
Gay, and shall avail myself of the
privilege. We miss you tremendously;
Blake has no one to sing with now and
Arnold, poor old man, is all broken up;
have hardly seen him smile since you
left. He is a superb man, plucky. full
of gentlemanly instincts and would
make himself famous anywhere but in
the service. We vegetate in these out
posts save when you ladies come; and
then we are reused to action. The red
skins have kept us pretty busy this
fall, however. and the eastern people
never know how many dangers we en-
counter, but that is part Of the play.
DO come back, Miss Ware, and keep
US from growing into cabbage heads.
Yours sincerely.
JACK BALTIMORE"
The next morning everything was
hustle and confusion about the fort.
The old stage wagon with four mules
attached stood in the driveway before
the majors quarters; two privates who
had been granted a brief furlough were
already seated in the stage with their
much worn grips piled on behind.
officers were running in and out. and
an orderly stood in the doorway wait
inS TO put in the last nail. after
each officer had deposited his letter or
gift
The New York box and the Boston
box stood side by side and Mrs. Ran
dali remarked. in a suggestive manner.
that hers must go on the very top. if
som0ne would take the baby. Maude.
one moment
A dozen hands were stretched out to
the beautiful child, but her own dim
pied ones were extended to Lieutenant
Arnold; for some reason he was her
favorite; and in an instant the little
thing was tuggtng away at his nous
taChe. which his friends declared was
the pride of his heart
Come. Jack, bring your letters
said Mrs. Randall. you are always
last"
well, the last shall be first. you
know" said Jack, as he tucked a letter
in each box.
What lovely birthday it will be"
said Mrs Randall. I can see the dear
girl opening it, and [ am sure you have
all written something nice TO her
I have, of course" said Jack. 4
shall never forget her. Can't you get
her out next year, Mrs. Randan2'
Why my boy, We have not the least
idea where we shall be ourselves next
year. There that Will do now: drive the
nails in good and strong; the stage has
waited long enough. Come baby daugh-
ter, you must not tire out the patience
of MIR. Arnold"
Arnold was intently engaged in show
ing a watch charm and baby was lOath
to leave her pleasant seat on his lap.
oh, let her rest in peace. dear Mrs.
handall, said Jack, who by virtue of
being the youngest officer in the garri-
son, and the happiest, was allowed GER
tain liberties Of speech, accorded to no
one else.
Jack always went to Mrs Randall for
little 'mOthering" and although he
never knew it, his own charming moth
er had entreated Mrs. Randall to
watch over her boy"
The mules went off with a grand
flourish and cheers from the little group
and Jack. with great gravity, escorted
Mrs Randall to the piano
Lady Maude can not have you now
he said. I must try that Sonata.
Writing home always gives a fellow the
blues, and Arnold can call the nurse if
he gets tired"
Mre. Randall was never known to re-
fuse kindness, and under all the brave
seeming of the boys" as she fOndly
called them. she knew that homesick
longings came upon them whenever any
Of the garrison left or the home mail
was made no
The truth was. she '-motheredr the
entire command and was accused nv
her husband Of spelling them.
She sat down To the piano and struck
the key while Jack tuned his violin
Soon delightful music filed the little
room and made one or two officers who
were lingering upon the piazza come
back to listen. Jacks music was his
safety valve, and it is a grand one for
man OF woman.
Twelve days later the boxes were in
their destinations, Mrs. Baltimore re-