The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-16
NONE BUT THE BRAVE
By HAMBLEN SEARS.

and I. in the old days. and more than one
scramble to turn the Indians of the scent
back in the fifties." Then. turning TO the
colonel. he said: There be good staunch
Livingstones in the South. too. colonel"
Indeed there are" said that officer.
land relatives of mine too, no doubt; but
tits many a day since knew of them"
And so it was natural that the talk
turned on the havoc war was making in
families, in which all joined except Curtis,
who seemed averse to talking on the sub
ject. And then after a time Mr.. Bartlett
thanked the colonel for his courtesy,
wished him a speedy conclusion TO the
war. accepted a good pistol as an added
protection on his journey. and set out to
strike the North Castle road
What followed has been told me so many
times since by my friends that 1 know 1t by
heart. An hour passed, and Acton, Curtis,
the doctor and several others were still sit
ting about the room. The guard had been
changed and at the moment there was
naught to do. Acton sitting by the door
evidently caught a draught of cool October
air; for. on a sudden, his gaze grew fixed.
his head went back and he sneezed loud
enough to lift the roof. He thrust his hand
into his pocket and fshed out kerchief.
"Egad, Acton, my lad" said the doctor,
''ye'll have the spasms If We repeat that.
Helloa! what's here? Ahal my friend.
We've got thee nova love token, as I'm
sinner" and he stopped to pick up pa
per that had come from the others pocket
along with the kerchief. But the lieuten-
ant was too quick for him.
As Acton picked 1t up he glanced care
lessly at Ii and then his gaze became axed.
A puzzled look grew between his eyes. and
finally he glanced at the others.
What is IL" asked the adjutant.
IT'S but poor chaff, and badly done
at that
Well, man. what is Z? Read it, said
several.
Curtis was smoking quietly some distance
away. but he turned TO listen as Acton
said:
"A sorry hit. as I'm a sinner"
But what have We there, man. said the
doctor. Read it out and let us hear the
hit"
Acton then read slowly the following:
Problem g.
"A can ride to Hardcastle IN four hours
az six miles an hour by the shorter road.
b can do it in three hours at eight miles an
hour on the same road, starting earlier.
How far must go by the longer road If
ne travels six hours and goes at the rate
represented by the sum of one-half the rate
of each of the others, and when must he
start in order to arrive one hour after APP
No one could keep back a smile at the
puzzled expression on the lieutenant's face
as he read this simple problem, that is to
say, no one except Curtis; and, as he got
up with the others to look at the paper. his
face took on a thoughtful look that passed
unnotced at the moment.
"Oh, lad, you cannot hoodwink u.s.
laughed the adjutant. You're trying to
coach yourself in the rule of three
Keep it up" cried the doctor. land
yell come out first in the class" and
thereupon every one laughed.
At that the lieutenant grew bit vexed,
which was as near as he ever came to ang-
ger.
well, tits a weak skid" he muttered.
"And 1 hope We like the look of 1t, Rob-"
he added, as Curtis took the sheet of paper
and examined it carefully.
20, aye" said the other, carelessly. "'tis
paper. no doubt Keep it, man, and study
out the answer"
Not l." cried Acton, and, crumbling it
up he threw it under the table and stalked
out. The others followed on different du-
ties, but Curtis remained. smiling thought
fully. In few moments he reached under
the table, picked up the paper. smoothed it
out, and studied it with an amount of care
that would have set an observer thinking.
Then, carefully folding it, he put it into
his pocket and went in search of his friend
He found him walking along the river
bank.
John. my lad" said he, you're very
tough in the SKULL"
Acton, coloring hotly. turned upon him.
Where are thy wits, MANI" said Curtis
Acton said not a word, as they walked
slowly from the camp. When they were in
the open fields and we'll out of hearing,
Curtis took out the paper containing Prob
lem g. and held it towards his friend.
NOW. John. read it again"
II tell thee. Curtis, thou'rt ridiculing me-
and It's not TO be borne
IT was never more serious in my life"
But tbs all nonsense.'
"'Tis naught of the kind"
WELL said the other, trying to smile
in order TO keep himself from growing
vexed again. give it me- and he read it
again.
Now solve it,
Rob. it's unfair in you to carry the
thing to such lengths"
Tis you that are unfair. my friend"
answered the other, seriously enough.
'Why 1 can answer it in a moment So
times is "a. 3 times is
John Acton" said Curtis, pulling up In
his walk and facing his friend. what is
thy name?'
Come, lad. let it drop!' said the other in
an altered tone, lest 1 lose my temper"
Thy name, mani
Acton roared the lieutenant now act
ually irritated.
What does it begin with?''
"A. but l will not
What is our friends name who left US
few days ago."
Acton looked at the other a moment and
then said slowly:
"Balfort.'
And his name begins"
With B."
And my name
lis Curtis and begins with c. said Act
on, pulling a long face and looking at the