The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-03-14


style, Sam-lieutenant," he said, "bui
I'll-Pll help ye out"
The sergeant grinned, for Spud's
bluntness of speech was traditional in
the troop, but Owen smiled family, and
his eyes shot up at Murphy with q
passing CLEAN of kindness as the old
familiar mannerism fickered flame
like, from the dying embers Of his boy.
| hoods fires.
THANK you" he said, as If greatly
relieved, and passed out.
The troop doubtless had many sneers
to cast upon Spud Murphy's abandon
ment of principle, but it was not safe
thing to speak too plainly before the
New Workers. face. Spud therefore,
disdaining explanation, assumed charge
next day of Owens horses, took his
supper and reported duly at the lieu
tenants headquarters In the evening
for orders. He was amazed to find the
officer different creature His cheek
was flushed, his eye was bright, he
was filling his room with the music of
his whistling as he moved about, and
he greeted Spud with gay familiarity.
He talked garrulously of old times, of
the sidewalks of his childhood; he
laughed boisterously at remembrance
Of his great fight, the penalty of losing
which would have been a severe
thrashing from Spud. Murphy ought
to have been delighted. He was at
first, indeed, but the voice of Owen
was too hilarious, his words too tu-
multuous In their outpouring, his laugh
too boisterous. Ten years of garrison
and camp had made the trooper a
stickler for etiquette. He knew very
well that such familiarity with an or
binary buck soldier" was out Of place
He knew very well that that familiar
ity was the worst Of all possible things
for discipline and order. Therefore he
waxed cold and eyed the loquacious
subaltern closely. Then he took the
big glass of whisky offered to him,
drank 1t standing with punctilious re-
spect and withdrew, good deal wor-
ried In his mind as to the future of an
ofncer In whom, for the glory and hon
or OF the old ward. he felt the greatest
interest.
He drinks" he muttered as he
crossed the parade to barracks. "That
little devil Sammy's taken to drinkin.
Oh, rats!'
And long after taps the dog robber
lay awake, frowning at the mosquito
bar over him.
The worst thing is," he pondered.
the kid didn't get that dose at the
club, like an officer and a gentleman
He swallows his medicine all by him
self in his room. Sammy's lone fish
erman, and they're no good"
He was at Owens quarters before
revellle. The lieutenant lay on the sit
ting room lounge, his blouse open,
breathing stertorously. He had not
been to bed On the floor beside him
lay an empty bottle. His fingers, hang
Ing lifelessly to the floor, seemed TO
feel for it. Spud shook him silently.
but with little effect. The sergeant
ran to the hydrant In the yard and
came back with bucket of water.
which he sluiced vigorously over the
ileutenant's face and chest. He put
another coat on him somehow, gave
MIN fiery gulp of liquor and hustled
him out on the parade just In time TO
report his troop present and get down
to morning stables.
This here racket's got to be sion.
ped' said Murphy. '1f either Sammy
owen or mes goin-to face New York
again and hold up our heads In the
ward. Gee, he'll be under arrest In n
week at this ratei"
from that day Spud Murphy went
ABOUT his new work with an altogether
unusual reticence and with faithful
devotion which was novel. He seldom |
low detained as he had been wont to
ieclaim on the valor and virtues of his
beloved city's inhabitants. among |
Vhom he reckoned dearest his erst- |
while neighbors, the prosperous Ow-
ms. But IL the new lieutenant's mama
vas mentioned In his hearing his quick
we turned sharply on the speaker, and
lis big ears cooked up like a terriers
re heard little said against his master
md protege, for Owen attended to his
outline duties and did not attempt rad
cai REFORMS after the manner of some
ambitious johnnies come lately.
Gradually feeling Of pity spread IN
he troop for the youngster, who wos
o quiet and courteous, yet so nervous
It times and always so gray faced and
unhealthy looking. AS for his fellow
mcers' they found that, In spite of his
pparent delicacy. Owen could do fair.
well all things that they did. He
ODE, shot, danced, boxed, played poker
billiards. with that decent average
uccess which excites neither coptemnt
or Jealousy. He never drank and was
1ethodical In his duties, SO that his
oionel thought well of him, as a man
mo In time would make a model repl.
rental quartermaster or fill some such
lace, where rivers were never exnect.
i to be set on fire.
But Spud. writing home in fbese
avs to his old father, saloon keener
the dearly loved ward, grew men.
aciously heroic in his descriptions Of ,
immy's successes. Hes an honor 70
all, said Spud, land we'll be proud. |
or him some day even than of his
tner. | hear old Owan,c 70 o,o a.. A.,