Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-05-02

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Captain Ray came cheerily into the Of
fee with enlistment papers in his hand.
Dana, old boy, I've got a tiptop man
to be sworn in. This way, please, Hun
ter" And there at the doorway stood
the applicant of two days before.
Dana glanced over the papers. car
thur Hunter, born New York, by occu-
patton clerk, do hereby acknowledge to
have voluntarily enlisted this sixth day
of November, 1885,, as soldier in the
army Of the United States, etc., and do
solemnly swear that am 25 years and
months of age, etc., and !, Arthur
Hunter, do solemnly swear that will
bear true faith and allegiance to the
United States of America, etc. +"
Then Dana looked up at the dark eyes
and curling black mustache and ami
mated face of one Of the crack captains
in the regiment and from him to the ST.
lent, blue eyed and, as before, thorough
ly presentable stranger, and there was
embarrassment in the adjutant's face.
For moment he hesitated, then turned
to the would be recruit.
"Will you step outside moment? I,
have to speak with Captain Ray
He was instantly obeyed.
81 beg your pardon, captain, said
Dana, "but have to ask question or
two. Major Mainwaring is sure he has
seen this man before aud that he is q ,
deserter or something disreputable de-
spite his good looks. He refused to am
swer for himself two days ago."
*Yes, know" answered Ray smil-
ingly. "We all know how suave and en-
couraging the major is apt to be to
strangers. lisa wonder some wild west-
erner hasn't put bullet through him.
I've heard all about that interview" {
"And = you're willing to take
chances? You re satisfied this mans ALI
right?"
"All rightas men go, Dana. We CAN'T
expect all the 'vartues and temperance
besides for s13 month, as Mulligan
said in the Mexican war. But this APP
plicant satisfies me that he means to
serve, that he loves horse and can ride
like a Kentuckian. I'll bet he can fight
and it's none of our business who he is
where he halls from or why he enlisted
SO long as he does his duty. Now I'm
willing to take him."
And that settled it. Recruit Arthur
Hunter was formally accepted as a
member of the sorrel troop, took his
first lesson with the currycomb and
brush without word, and, without
turning hair, his initiation on Buck
Ter, the meanest brute in the stable, and
rode him barebacked to water despite
furious plunges and wild bowls Of de-
tight from threescore trooper threats.
/ Furthermore, Hunter accepted barrack
fare without remark and barrack chafr
without remonstrance, and when As
hours elapsed and his captain asked him
how he liked it the new trooper clicked
his heels together and said, Better
than hoped to, sir, - and then surpris-
ed that officer by request to be allowed
to be absent until next day. Etiquette
required that such favors should be-
asked through the first sergeant in writ
| ing. The colonel's consent had also to
be given, but Hunter produced in ex-
PLANTATION a telegram received but half
an hour before stables That dispatch
was addressed properly to Trooper A..
Hunter, Fort Ransom, and said: Must
move tonight. Will bring your things
on No. 8" and it came from Pawnee.
Captain Ray looked it over in some
uncertainty. "What things are these?"
he asked.
"a trunk. sir, and some other prop.
erty, principally clothing"
| Colonel Anterior did not look over
| r1oaco1 Of no ~ ~
Ray for permission for new recruit to
be absent overnight, but Ray was a ia
vorite. Sergeant Merriweather was go-
ing to Butte on pass after supper. Re-
cruit Hunter could go with him in the
post traders wagon. Ray felt sure of
his man, and the colonel consented.
And SO it happened that Merriweath.
er's pretty wife, the invalid Of fort-
night agone, was surprised by the sight
of tall, very fine looking young man,
in new fatigue suit not yet altered to,
fit him, who appeared at the doorway
of her little abode shortly after gun fire
and asked for the sergeant.
He'll be here directly. Surely this
must be Mr.. Hunter, " said she, busting
a chair and looking up at him from IN.
der her long lashes. you'll come in
and wait, won't you?" she added invit-
ingly. But Hunter thanked her briefly
and said he'd go to the store, which he
did, with her bright eyes following
him in lively curiosity.
1t was midnight when Sergeant Mer.
riweather, driving in, reported his res
turn at the guardhouse and found the
officer of the day and half the guard
searching busily about the premises in
hopes of discovering by what means two
| general prisoners had sawed their way
out of their iron barred room. The rest
of the guard were in pursuit. It was
night of excitement and disgust for
most of them, and they were all wide
awake and eager for news when, at the
break of day. there came galloping out
from Butte the local agent of the Trans
continental, with a startling story.
Train No. 8, "The OWL" the Pacific
express, had been held up by robbers