Waterbury Democrat., 1901-04-06
Lcopyrghssa. Iqes by the j. 3. LippIneOu conpanyl

[ cured but there was no one in posi- ton or authority to interpese. Some seemed to feel no interest.
 "Get your rations and plunder aboard" he ordered, turning sudden | ly to his party, and, loading up with ! blankets, overcoats, haversacks and canteens, the recruits speedily took possession of their new quarters, forced open the jammed windows to let out the imprisoned and oyerheaf- ed air, piled their boxes of hard bread and stacks of timed meat at the ends and their scant soldier goods and chattels in the rude sec tfons, then tumbled out again upon the platform to enjoy, while yet there was time, the freedom of the outer air, despite the torrid heat of the midday sunshine.
 In knots of three or four they sauntered about, their hands deep in their empty pockets, their boyish eyes curious1y studying the signs and posters, or wistfully peering through the screened doors at the tempta- tions of the bar and lunch counter or the shaded windows of the dining room, where 1uckier fellow-passen- gers were taking their fill of the good cheer afforded. Two of the number, dressed like the rest in blue flannel shirts, with trousers. of light CT blue and heavier make, flaming their heated faces with their drab, broad-brimmed camraign hats, swung off the rear end f the objec- tionable car, and with q ick glance about them, started briskly down the track to where the ''diner'' and certain sleepers of the Southern Pa cific were being shunted about.
 "Come back here, you fellers!'' shouted the corporal, catching sight of the pair. "You don't know how soon this here train may start. Come back, say" he added, emphatically, as the two, looking first into each others eyes, seemed to hesitate. Then, with sullen, downcast face, the nearer turned and slowly obeyed. The other, bright, merry youngster, whose teeth gleamed as he laughed his reply, still stood in his tracks.
 'We're only going to the dining car, corporal" he shouted. "That's going with us, so we can't be left.'',
 ssYou've got no business in the dim ing car, Mellen; that's not for your sort, or mine, for that natter was the corporars ultimatum. And with a grin still expanding his broad mouth, the recruit addressed as Mellen came reluctantly sauntering in the trail of his comrade, who had ,x, .sl without shrug of protest. It was toathe latter the corporal spoke when the two had rejoined their associ- ates.
 You've got sense enough to know you're not wanted at that diner, Murray, whether Mellen has or not. That's no place for empty pockets. What took you there?"
 Wanted a drink, and you said: Keep away from the bar-room,' ?" an swered Murray, briefly, his gray eyes glancing about from man to man in the group, resting for just second on the form and features of one who stood little apart, youth of 21 years, probably. "It was Fosters treat" he added, and that remark transferred the attention of the party at the instant to the young ster on the outskirts.
 He had been leaning with folded arms against a lamp post, looking somewhat wearilY up the platform to where, in pairs or little groups, the passengers were strolling, men and women both, seeking relief from the constraint and stiffness of the long ride by rail. He had an inter- esting-even a handsome-face, and his figure was we'll knit, we'll propor- toned. His eyes were dark, soft brown, with very long, curving lasbes, his nose straight, his mouth finely curved, soft and sensitive. His throat was full, round, and at the base very white and fair, as the un- fastened and Tapping shirt collar now enabled one to see. His hands, too, were soft and white, showing that at least one of the 20 came not from the ranks sof the toilers. His shoes were4of finer make than those of his comrades, and the handker- chief so loosely knotted at the open ing of the coarse blue shirt was of handsome and costly silk. He had been paying scant attention to his surroundings, and was absorbed, evil dently, in his watch on the tourists up the platform when recalled to himself by the consciousness that all eyes were upon him.
 Whats this about your treatin'. Foster?'' asked the corporal.
 For a week he had felt sure the boy had money, and not little. Nothing would have persuaded him to borrow a cent of Foster or any body else, but others, and plenty of them, had no such scruples.
 The young recruit turned slowly. He seemed reluctant to quit his scru- tiny of his fellow passengers. The abrupt tone and manner of the ac- customed regular, too, jared upon him. It might be the corporal's pre- rogatiye so to address his charges, but this one didn't like it, and meant to show that he didn't. His money at least was his own, and he could do with it as he liked. The answer did not come until the question had been twice asked. Then in