The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-10
/ will rout you out in time to get dress

I will rout you out in time to get dress
ed"
At Sis a. m. the next day Archibald
Boyce stood on the little parade ground
at San Huberto and heard the first SER
geant rattle off the roll and make his
report to the second lieutenant. The
troop broke ranks. Now, Mr.. Boyce,"
said Billy las this is a one-trooD post.
and I am the only officer here, am Of
ficer of the day every day and adjutant
al the time. so now l must go and in
spect the mems mess
They walked to the little mess hall,
and Billy conscientiously tasted all the
food TO see that It was up to mark
Then with his visitor ne went to his
quarters, and together they breakfasted.
/ Il have to hurry a little, said Billy,
because as commanding officer I must
go and have talk with the first ser
geant and INSPECT the mems quarters,
so cCme along.
The quarters were inspected and then
Billy trotted his visitor down to the
corral in obedience to the call of
4 stables. Then there was heard from
somewhere beyond the little parade
ground another clear trumpet cali.
officer OF the day and as adjutant, and
also as being the only second lieutenant
on the post, I have to attend guard
mount in a triple capacity-adjutant
! officer of the day and officer of the
guard, and then Billy trotted Archibald
( BCyce back to the parade ground and
took some pains to station him where
the hot morning sun got good crack
at him. while the lieutenant formed the
guard, received the report, inspected ths.
front and rear ranks and then turnea
the guard over to himself as officer of
the day and ordered it to march in re-
Vinv--
The line went past and instantly Billy
called out: Come on, Mr.. Boyce, L
must now, as old officer of The day, sign
the guard report and as nov officer of
IL faIro ri If he
guard" And Billy toted the perspiring
Archibald Boyce down to the guard
house which was a long distance beyond
the corral
The report was signed. the old officer
of the day turned over the guard to the
1 new officer of the day. saluted himself
and then turning to his visitor, said: II
you will now come with Dae we will ct,
to the auartermaster's department. I
am the quartermaster of the post, Mr..
BCyce. and we expect a large consign-
ment Of goods this morning for which I
am responsible and which l must check
up and stow away" Mr.. Royce, wan
dered around the quartermaster's de-
4 partment lodging packages for two
hours while Billy worked. Finally the
young officer said to him: Z forgot to
tell you, Mr.. BOyce, that am also the
commissary officer of Fort San Huberto,
but luckily there is only about three
: quarters of an hours work to be done
there today over they went, and Arch
ibald Boyce SWeltered for the better
part of an hour in the stufTiest and hot
test place he had ever struck in his life.
Finally Billy finished and said I'VE
have drill now for an hour, Mr.. Boyce
I'm troop commander you know. I'll give
you a good mount and you can go out
with US" The old man was game and
took the mount. He thanked heaven
when that drill was over. After the drill
they ate luncheon with Mrs. Blair and
Jennie. you'll have to excuse me again.
Mr. Boyee, but I must hurry you once
more" said Billy, 'for you see 1 am en-
gineer officer and ordnance officer of this
post and also military commando of the
district and I must get to work quickly"
Archibald Boyce bolted his food and
followed Billy around in the hot for
two hours while with gang of men he
did some surveying. Then they went to
town on a dog trot and Billy had a con-
ference with the civil authorities. Then
they went back and answered water call
troop for another hour with the old man
Z pounding a saddle by his side Then
there came dress parade, then supper and
then tattoo The CID man was wilted.
Aren't you pretty near through for the
day Lieutenant Blair?' he said.
Mercy, no. Mr.. Boyce," said Billy
There's check roll call at II o'clock, the
report of which 1 must get from the first
| sergeant, and then at l m. I must in
sDect the sentries on post. It will be a new
/ experience for you and you'll enjoy it.
Then Wen have plenty of time to sleep.
Wen get to bed by 2t30 at the latest,
| and we don't have to get up till o'clock"
Archibald looked at Billy weakly.
Billy" he said. heres my hand. You've
won out. You can have her if you'n only
let me go to bed
WITS a co. said Billy Tumble into
bed and I'll make the trumpeter sound a
soft reveille''