Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1901-01-12

urgency. and on the outside was writ
ten, in q big, bold hand, Captain
Wood-speak."
Hell do most Of the talking, I ex-
pect," went oh Swete Thornhill mali
ciously. Hes fit to be tied. Go in,
man. at once, and take your punish
ment."
The distinguished officer at that time
head and chief OF our department was
Major General Sir Charles Collingham.
v. c., X. C. b., n Of the most nota-
BILE soldiers of the day, ardent. fearless.
highly skilled, strong In counsel, fore
most in h field, who had served al
most everywhere, In all the wars, great
and small. OF recent years n had
made a close study Of the science Of his
profession as well. He had Travelled
far and wide, knew men and many CT
ties. was rs much at home at court as
in camp, popular In society, which he
cultivated in his spare moments, al
though he allowed nothing to stand In
the way Of his work. The service came
first, and first In the service was the
all important, transcendently useful
department, as he thought II, over
which he presided.
Sir Charles expected-nay, exacted-
q like devotion from US, his staff off,
GERS, whom In all matters of duty he
ruled with q rod OF iron. None Of us
liked to face him when he was put out.
which, II may be said, was not sell
dom, for he was choleric, although not
cross 81 aimed. Under q stern face and
rough he had a kindly nature
far down, for he did not wear his heart
upon his sleeve, certainly moi for an
erring subordinate, as he considered
me just then.
I felt rather sheepish and uncomfort-
able as / appeared before the great
man. The general was tall In stature,
very thin and straight, while his
strong, weather-beaten face-the deep
bristling white mustachios and long
projecting eyebrows, over fierce, steely
BILE eyes-commanded respect.
He began or me at once. by the
Lord Harry, this won't do, Wood" he
cried, with amazing ~volubility and
force. What have you got to say foi
yourself? Slept late? OF course you
will sleep late II o waste the night
flirting and philandering with that lit.
tie madcap devil, Frida Fairholme
But, / tell you, 1 won't have the bust.
ness of this office neglected. Now YOU
are late for parade, n you know j In
sist upon punctuality. And 1 practice
what l preach. / was here as the clock
struck 10 this morning, and I'd already
been to Hounslow and back on my
bike But there, you'll end by putting
me out Of temper. Don't do 1t again
II won't, Sir Charles" / said meekly
yet wondering why ] a man OF millions
submitted TO such slavery, and
turned to go.
"Ah, by the way. Wood. bring me
that report Of yours. will you. on the
defense of the Canadian frontier. It 1!
ready, l suppose2"
well, no., Sir Charles, not quite.
have been delayed by
Great Scott" he roared, Instant,
blazing into a white heat. You lazy
die young villain! / believe you wan
to drive me mad. You know as wei
as l DE- that the foreign office Is press
ing for the paper, hat ] promised 1
TO Lord Salisbury within a week, anC
here you, you oh, go away! l wan
none OF 1t. You shall go back TO you.
groveling, guard-mounting routine
and when you are grizzling your sou
out In tina beastly tropical hole, Der
muda, you may be sorry for the chance
you've lost. Go away, l say. I've don,
with you. I hate the very sight of you.
Continued Next Weekly