The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-03-06

''''' 'NN'' 'N" $500 N'N WV - |
sticklcr for etiquette. He knew very
well that such familiarity with IN 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
waxcd cold and eyed the loquacious
subaltern closely. Then he took the
big glass Of whisky offered to him,
drank it standing with punctilious re.
spcct II withdrew, Il good deal wor-
rlcd In his mind as to the future OF an
officer in whom, for the glory and hon.
or of the old ward, he felt the greatest
interest.
"IIc drinks" he muttcred rs he
crossed the parade to barracks. THAT
little devil Snmmy's taken to drinkin.
Oh, rats"
And long after taps the dog robber
lay awake, frowning Mt the mosquito
bar over him.
"The worst thing is" he pondered.
"thc kid didn't get that dose at the
club, like an officer II Il gentleman.
He swallows his medicine all by him
self in his room. Sammy's Il lone fish
crman, and they're no good"
lie was at Owens quarters before
revclllc. The lieutenant lay on the sit
ting room lounge, his blouse open,
breathing stcrtorously. He had not
been to bed. On the floor beside him
lay an empty bottle. His fingers, hang
Ing lifclessly 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
Cump hack with a lt,pknt nP Uotar
which he sluiced vigorously over the
l~icutenant's face and chest. He put
another coat on him somehow, gave
him n fiery gulp Of liquor INT hustled
him out on the parade just in time to
report his troop present and get down
to morning stables.
This here rackct's got to be stop
ped" said Murphy, 'if 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 a
week Mt this rate!"
From that day Spud Murphy went
about his new work with an altogether
unusual reticcnce and with n faithful
devotion which was novel. He seldom
now acclaimed as he had been wont to
decla!m on the va1Or and virtues Of his
beloved clty's inhabitants, among
whom he reckoneG dearest his erst-
while n~eighbors, tho prosperous Ow-
ems. But If the new lieutenant's name
was mentioned in his hearing his quick
eye turned sharply on the speaker, and
his big ears cooked up like n terriers.
He heard little said against his master
and protege, for Owen attended to his
routine duties and did not attempt rad
ical reforms after the manner Of some
ambitious johnnies come lately.
Gradually n feeling of pity spread in
the troop for the ~youngster, who was
so quiet and courteous, yet so nervous
at lines and always so gray faced and
unhealthy looking. AS for his fellow
officers, they found that, In spite of his
apparent delicacy, Owen could do fair.
ly we'll all things that they did. He
rode. shot, danced, boxed, played poker
or billiards with that decent average
success which excltes neither contempt
nor Jealousy. He never drank and was
methodical In his duties, SO that his
colonel thought we'll Of him, as a man
who ! n time would make a model regl-
mental Quartermaster or I'LL some such
place, where rivers were never expect.
ed to be set ON fire.
But Spud, writing home in these
days to his old father, a saloon keeper
In he dearly loved ward. grew men.
daciously heroic In his descriptions OF
Sammy's successes. Hes an honor ia
us ALL" said Spud. "and Wen be proud
er OF him some day ever than of his
father. hear old Owens to go to the
senate He may be president yet, and
SamU be a general In time, jf the
saints allow a war. Horray for the old
ward! It's men we breed there"
Spud grinned s%ardonically as he
wrote, but how proud old Murphy was
to show that letter across the bar to
his ancient chum, the member from
the districts! Owen senior blew his
nose violently when he read 1t and
Strengthened up like a youngster. He
slipped n $50 bill In an envelope, with
an encouraging line tc Spud. suggest.
Ing that his pull In Washington might
do something for an old friends son.
Spud spent the money honorably with
tho boys across the post traders bar,
out asked for no help through Wash.
ington.
Twill break the old mans heart"
thought he, when the truths known"
Little Dr.. May, who was known to
otlcers and men alike, so immediately
appropriate was the nickname, as the
'hld,' was then the contract urgeo
or citizen DOCTOR" attached to the
post. He was smoking his last pipe be.
fore turning In one night when n knock
came to the outer door of his quarters.
Opening 1t, the light Of the lamp fell
upon Spud N1urphy's face.
Doctor" said the dog robber ouiet-
~, Lieutenant Ovens almighty bad.
VIII We come and see him?"
The Kid put away the lamp, asked
some questions, put n few things In
his pockets and stepped off to OVENS
quarters ut he end Of the row, some
what Isolated from the rest. Owen
had the house all to himself. Spud
Followed five PAGES behind. as was
seemly. AT the house he gained on
the doctor and spoke hesitatingly.
Doctor, yell soon see for yerself,
n It's no use lyin about 1t. If-if
us not against the rules and regula-
lions, Will We keep 1t to yerself? It's
drink"
DIR. May whirled on his heel and
stared at the man. No one had ever
seen Lieutenant Owen drink. lie %%hirl-
ell again and entered, and Spud Muir.
ply followed him.
o.