Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-04-18

Say 1t all three III you ike, was
the half Laughing answer. 81 heard Of
you as one of the old oavalrymen at the
barracks yonder, and the stranger nod
ded carelessly over his shoulder in the
direction of the post, established long
years before when the road was being
built "They sent me there by mistake.
It's the cavalry / want, not infantry"
The engineer looked the speaker over
In surprise. Away down the track the
headlight of the incoming train was
growing bigger every moment and the
rumble of the bulky approach could be
plainly heard.
''You don't look like 2 man who had
to take to soldering" he said.
sob, Pm not" was the prompt, good
natured reply. 81 do it simply because
I've hankering that way-and no 9TH
er, !" he added under his breath. "Per.
haps you can tell me something of the
regiment at Ransom?'
Enough about it to talk from here
to Frisco, but there's no time now.
We've got to pull out with that train
the moment their engine gets out of our
way. But you're the first man ever
met out hero who would openly say he
was going to enlist. They all come up
shamefaeed like, as though it was the
last thing they wanted people to know. y
"Oh, never found it paid TO sail un-
der false colors, was the answer in a
tone of gay good humor, not unmixed
with a dash Of reckless disdain. "I've
nothing to lose. But would like to ask
you something about the troop COM
manders there at Ransom. Can't you
give me lift in the cab? I've a pocket
ful of better weeds than you get out
this way if that's any inducement. :"
And, SO saying, he reached down into the
deep pocket of his ulster and brought
out a handful Of cigars.
Mr.. Longs manner changed in an
instant. 'Gainst orders" said he
briefly, gazing. suspiciously into the
strangers face as bespoke. "Better get
your ticket it you're going to Butte. /"
And, swinging himself up to his perch,
he grasped the reversing lever with one
hand and the throttle with the other.
Scut laid hold Of the cord and set the
big bell to swinging warning of their
coming. The huge machine began slow
| ly to move rearward as the much ma.
ligned and belated coyote came kissing
by on the fireman's side, and that be-
grimed young man awaited himself OF
the chance to chaff his fellow workers
in the fitting cab He took no heed,
therefore, of the strangers parting hail,
but Long was eying him closely and lis.
tening for any word.
"I've got tickets all right, said the
lonely man on the platform, "but I'd
rather sit up in cab than sleep in 9
Pullman. It's all right, though. Have
a smoke anyhow. /" And with lavish
hand he tossed half dozen cigars into
the cab as he walked beside the moving
engine. Then, with cordial wave o,
his hand, he turned aside to the lunch
room, into the doorway of which hal.
score Of hungry passengers from the ar
irving train were eagerly pushing.
"Only three minutes, gents, suns
out the conductor. "We'vego got to make
up time before we reach the Rockies
can't do it there. y And he darted int
the train dispatcher's Office to register
and receive his orders
Meantime Scut. still olinging to tn,
bellcord with one hand, was scoopint
up cigars with the right. "That fel
low prince, said he. "Just look a
that for seegar. I" And he held it ad
miringly up to Long to see and wa
amazed at the gloom in his companion
face. "Why. what's up?" he asked.
What's up?" repeated the engineer
as he slowed down on nearing the for
ward end Of the mail car. "a hold up
unless I'm mistaken, and the fewer o
them cigars you stick in your moutl
the more brains you'll have left in tn
morning" With sharp click tn
heavy coupling pin was driven home
and Long sent the reversing lever owe
to the front, then poked his head out o
the side of the cab and shouted to
train hand he saw hurrying by, "Wher
you got them recruits. Billy?"
"First coach behind the baggage,
was the answer as the man glanced owe
,, his shoulder. "Thero's some of 'er
now" And as he spoke, bounding
laughing and lodging through the kno
of hungry passengers, half a doze
young fellows in fatigue uniform G
bright blue overcoats went Fastening b
to the lunchroom, followed by shout
from somewhere back along the trair
Presently middle aged man in til
) garb of a sergeant of cavalry cam
, stalking after them, a man who SCENE
t just aroused from sound sleep, and nc
Z too we'll pleased as 4 consequence.
Q "Get back to that car, you men" b
ordered authoritatiyely. "Didn't tie
Q you not soul of you could leave
q without my permission"
. But the recruits were lined up at til
lunch counter by this time, and gleefu
r ly shouting for coffee and reaching Il
: doughnuts, pie, anything edible With
reach. The waiter looked perturbed an
t hesitated. The proprietor came hnrr,
e ing over from his desk. The lit
{ throng of passengers seemed sympathet
i. and interested. WHO'S to pay for this?
/ demanded the owner, as the sergeal