Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-05-10

through; but ruefully he minded
him how hard task was his own,
and how close he came to failure at
the semi-annual exams SANDY
hates Math. even more than I did,"
said he, to Marion, his devoted wife.
ut was all I could do to squirm
through when the course was no.
where near as hard as it is TODAY,
so don't set your heart on it, little
woman"
The appointment was not SO hard
to get, for Maj. Billy had host of
friends in his native state, and an
old chum at the Point assured him
he could coach young Sandy through
the preliminary, and, indeed he did.
Sandy scraped in after six months
vigorous work, managed to hold his
own through the first years tussle
with algebra and geometry, which he
had studied hard and faithfully be-
fore, was pet in his class, and the
pride and JOY of his mothers and sis
ter's hearts in yearling camp, where
he blossomed out in corporalS chew
rons and made as natty and active
first sergeant as could be found
while the "furlough class" was away.
But the misery began with IAN
alytica" and the crisis came with
calculus, and to the boys bitter sor-
row, after having been turned back
utterly on the latter, the verdict of
the academic board went dead
against him, and stout old soldiers
thereon cast their votes with griev-
ing hearts, for Billy Rays boy" was
lad they hated to let go, but West
Point rules are memorable.
1t was hard to reconcile the lad
at first The major set him up as a
young ranchman in lovely valley
in the Big Horn range, and there he
went sturdily to work, but before the
winter was fairly on the country was
rousing to the appeals of Cuba, and
before 1t was gone the Maine had
sunk, riddled hulk, and the spring
came on with a call to arms.
Together with some 200 young fell
lows all over the land, Sanford Raw
went up for examination for the va
cant second lieutenancies in the army
and he who had failed in analytical
and calculus passed without grave
trouble the more practical ordeal de-
manded by the war department, was
speedily commissioned in the artil-
lery, and, to his glory and delight
promptly transferred to the cavalry
Then came the first general break
up the family had really known, fol
the major hurried away to Ken
lucky to assume command of the reg
iment of volunteers of which he has
been made colonel. Billy. Jr, lac
of barely II, enlisted at Lexington as
bugler in his fathers regiment
and swore he'd shoot himself if they
didn't let him serve. The Kentuck.
ians We're ordered to Chickamauga
the young regular to the Preside al
San Francisco, and Mrs. Ray, after
seeing her husband and youngest sor
started for the south, returned tic
Leavenworth, where they had Just
settled down week before the wal
began, packed and stored the house.
hold furniture, then, taking ''Maidie'
with her, hurried westward to see the
last of her boy, whose squadron was
destined for service at Manila.
The lieutenant, as they delighted
In calling him, joined them at Den
yer. looking perfectly at home in hi.
field uniform and perfectly happy
They left NIaidie to spend weel
with old army friends at Fort Doug.
las, and as soon as Sandy was settled
In his new duties and the loving
mother had satisfied herself the cav.
airy would not be spirited away be
fore July, she accepted the eager in
yitation of other old friends to visit
them at Sacramento, and there they
We're, mother and daughter, AGAR
united this very raw and foggy even
ing, when Mr.. Ray, as officer of the
guard, stood at the bend of the road
way east of the Preside guard-house
gazing after the vanishing forms OF
Capt. Kress and the burly stranger ir
civilian clothes, and wondering where
on earth it was he had seen the lat
ter before.
So engrossed was he in this that ii
was only when second time adj
dressed that he whirled about and
found himself confronting tall an6
slender young officer, with frank
handsome blue eyes and fine, clear
cut face, man perhaps five years hi
senior in age and one grade in rank
for his overcoat bore the single loo,
and braid of first lieutenant.
He was in riding-boots and spurs
as Ray noted at first glance, and Their,
behind him stood an orderly holding
the horses of both.
Pardon me. I am Lieut.. Stuyves
ant. of Gen. Vinton's staff. This /.
the officer of the guard, I believe,
and I am sent to make some inquiry
| Of a prisoner--a man named Murray
I'VE have such a man." said Ray
| eying the newcomer with soldierlJ
appreciation of his general appear
inches. But he's just been locked il
cell, and it will take an order from
| the officer of the day to fetch hin
| out-unless you could see him il
there with other prisoners within
| earshot."
Not very WE'LL" answered stuy
vesant, looking curiously into the
dark eyes of the youngster. per
haps I'd better see the officer of the
day at once"
you'll find him at the club. He'
| Just gone in" said Ray. mindful o