Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-08-16
CHAPTER u.-CoNrrNuED.

suddenly shut both from view. Never
hesitating, he quickly elbowed the
negro out of the way, seized the
-<doorknob with his left hand, throw
zng the door wide. open, then, look
eng the soldier full in the face, point
led to the tourist car with the other.
go back at once,'' was all he said.
The man had been hardly six days
sin service and seemed to have learned
little of army life or ways. He was
whole American citizen, however,
Aif he was half drunk, and the aver
age American thinks twice before he
-Obeys a mandate of any kind. This
one coming from a tall young swell
ssVas especially obnoxious.
The uniform as yet had little eff
fSect ON Recruit Murray. Where he
Mailed from the sight of it had for
years provoked only demonstration
of derision and dislike. He didn't
S<now who the officer was-didn't
want to know-didn't care. What he
wanted was whisky, and so long as
the money was burning in his pocket
he knew no reason why he shouldn't
have it. Therefore, instead of obey
lang, he stood there, sullen and sway
iRng. scowling upA as though in hate
land defiance into the grave, set
ayoung face. Another second and the
tFaing was settled. Stuyvesant's
right hand grasped the blue collar
at the throat, the long, slender fin
gers gripping tight. and half shot,
half lifted the amazed recruit across
the swaying platform and into the
is-eeiing car ahead. There he pumped
Fahis captive down into a seat and sent
s1or the corporal. Connolly came,
rrnbbing his eyes, and took. in the
situation at glance.
~ ordered him not to leave the
ear three hours ago, sir" he quickly
spoke. "But after supper I got
e1trowsy and fell asleep in my section.
Then he skinned out. I'd iron him,
.xir, if 1 had anything of the kind"
No." said Stuyvesant, don't think
Of that. Just keep a watch over
him and forbid his leaving the sec
Zion. No, sir, none of that" he add
ed as in drunken dignity Murray
was searching for match to light
Riis pipe and hide his humiliation.
There must be no smoking in this
fiimsy car, corporal. A spark would
set fire to it in second"
Uhem was my orders, sir. This
fellow knows it as well as I do. But
mes given trouble one way or other
lever since we started. You hear
that again, now, Murray; no drink;
no smoke. I'll see to it he doesn't
quit the car again, SIR" he conclud-
ed, turning aPpeaingly to the young
officer, and Stuyvesant, taking a
s4uiet look up and down the dimly
lighted, dusty aisle, was about to
return to the diner" when MUIR
,scay struggled to his feet. Baked
ism his hope of getting more drink,
land defyauded, as in his muddled
condition it seemed to him, of the
ssoissce of tobacco, the devil in him
reused to evil effort by the vile iq-
p1aor procured surreptitiously some
~ssAere along the line, the time had
come for him, as he judged, to assert
himself before his fellows and prove
himself man.
You think you're a better man
than 1 am" he began, thickly, glar.
Ing savagely at the young officer
Hut I'll be even with you, young
fealer. I'll" And here ended the
a1arangue, for, one broad hand
capped over the leering mouth and
tine other grasping the back of his
collar, Corporal Connolly jammed
aAiaE down on the seat with q shocl
chat shook the car.
Shut up, young drunken fool" he
cried Don't mind him, lieutenant
He's only day at the depot, sir
;Sit still, you blackguard, or I'll
smash you!"-this to Murray, who
half suffocated. was writhing in his
effort to escape. ''A-ch!" he cried
'srsth sudden wrenching away of the
zsz.wny hand, 1.-The beast has bitter
xsac," and the broad palm, drippins
with blood. was held up to the light.
Deeply indented, there were the
Jagged marks of Murray's teeth.
Here. Foster, Hunt, grab this maj
sszd don't let him stir, hand or foot
See what you get for giving a drunk
and money Grab him. 1 say.' shout
sssa Connolly, grinning with mingled
qzxain and wrath as the lieutenant lee
izaEEsa to the washstand.
Another recruit, stalwart fellow
esxhc had apparently seen previou.
%service, sprang to the aid of the frs
C~o named, and between them
fzhOngh he stormed and struggled {
moment, the wretch was jammed ant
,laeld in his corner.
Stanching the blood as best hs
could and bandaging the hand will
inis own kerchief, Stuyvesant bad,
The corporal sit at an open window
for a moment, for he looked trifi.
saint and sick-it was a brutal bite
Nat Connolly was game
That blackguard's got to b,