The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-05-30
CHAPTER V.

CHAPTER V.
There had been a morning of jubilee
in the camp of the Fifth Separate bri
gade, and a row in the tents of the reg
ulars Up to within a fortnight such
Il state of affairs would have been con.
sidcred abnormal, for the papers would
have it that the former were on the
verge of dissolution through plague
pestilence and famine due to the neg
lect OF officials vaguely referred to as
1.-The military authorities" or "the
staff while up to the coming of Can
Ler to command sweet accord had
rcigned in the regular brigade, and the
volunteers looked on with envy. But
now great martial magnate had
praised the stalwart citizen soldiery
whom he had passed in review early in
the day, and set them to shouting by
the announcement that, as reward for
their hard work and assiduous drill,
they should have their hearts desire
and be shipped across the seas to far
Manila. 1t had all. been settled before
hand at headquarters. The "chief" had
known for four days that that partic-
ular command would be selected for
the next expedition. but it tickled 'the
boys" to have il put that way, and the
home papers would make so much of
It. So there was singing and triumph
and rejoicing all along the eastern
verge of rocky, roughly paved cross
street, and rank blasphemy across the
way Ic the scandal and sorrow of the
--tec.-th infantry some of the recent
robberes had been traced to their very
doors. A commissary sergeant had
weakened cartman had squealed
and one of the most popular and at
tractive young soldiers in the whole
command was now a prisoner in the
guardhouse charged with criminal
knowledge of the whole affair, and of
being large recipient of the ill-gotten
money Morton, of the adjutant's Of
fice, private in company X.
What made it worse was the allepa-
ton that several others, non-commis-
stoned officers and special duty men -
were mixed up in the natter and Can
ker had rasped the whole commissioned
force present for duty in his lecture
upon the subject and had almost init
mated that officers were connivinp at
the concealment of the guilt of their
sergeants rather than have ii leak out
that the felony was committed in a
company of their commanding.
He and Gordon had had what was
described rs a ''red-hot' row, all be
cause Gordon fatty declared that while
something was queer about the case of
the young clerk. he'd bet his bottom
dollar he wasn't thief. Canker said
such language was reflection on him
self, as he had personally investigated
the case, was convinced Morton's quilt
could be established, and had so report
ed to the brigade commander in recon-
mending trial by general court martial.
Indeed he had made out case apainst
the lad even before he was arrested and
returned to camp. Gordon asked il he
mad seen the boy and heard his story.
Canker Redeemed and said he hadn't.
and he didn't mean to and didn't have
to. Gordon said he had-he had talked
with the lad fully and freely on his
being brought to camp toward nine
o'clock, and was greatly impressed with
his story-as would anyone else be
who heard it. Canker redeemed still
more and said he wouldn't allow Of
ficers to interview prisoners without
his authority. "I'll prefer charges
against the next that does it, said he.
And not three hours later Mr.. Billy
Gray. sprawling on his camp cot. striv-
ing to forget the sorrow of the earlier
morning, and to memorize page of
paragraphs of army regulations. was
suddealy accosted by an orderly who
sfSod at the front of the tent. scratch
ing at the tent fap-the camp substi-
tute for ring at the bell.
"A note for the lieutencnt.~ said he
oarting III and then darling out. pos
sibiy fearful of question. 1t was a
queer note:
am total stranger to you, but wore |
IN brighter days the badge of the same So |
cieiy that was yours at the univera,tv |
ihrse OF me fraternity are In my COM |
pa I'D one is on guard and he urged me to |
write al once TO you. They know me TO be n |
prother Delt, even though | dare NOT telI
NY reai name. What have to say is that
Jhe charge against me is utterly false. as
can convince you. but could not con-
vince court. ! am confined at the mo-
mel my OF an others in my life when 1t is most
ci,aly important that | should be free
nraht me ten minutes interview this an
lfio1h ana II do not prove myself guilt
,ase WIN ask no favor-but wher do con-
vince you do as you would be done by.
Yours in A z X,
GEORGE MORTON"