The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-23

thing he looked. But meantime there had
been sport for Chicago papers at sheri-
dan. There usually is. To begin with. DR.
BioodEood had pitched into his assistant
for quitting the post without his knowl-
edge or consent. ArmisteSd replied that
while II might have been without his
consent II should not have been without
his knowledge. as the same means had
been taken OF notifying the post surgeon
as In the case of the commanding officer
a note sent by Armistoads servant say
ing that a telegram had just called him
to Chicago on most urgent personal
business. The train would be along In 20
minutes. There was barely time to
change uniform for civilian dress and
run for It. There was no time TO hunt up
both the post surgeon and commanding
officer. The servant declared he rang four
times at the Doctors and. getting no an
swer, concluded that the gale had dead
ened the sound OF the bell and such eff
fort was useless. SO he crammed the note
under the door and went his further
way. But Bloodgood was In Ill humor. In
all that raging storm he had TO struggle
about the big post In answer 10 demands
for medical services and he said things
IN his spleen that reached the ears OF DIR.
and led 10 an open breach between the
senior and Junior practitioners Of the
post. DIR. Bloodgood asked the colonel
commanding " he had seen the telegram
Or. Armistead asserted had come to him
from town. The colonel had not and con-
sdered DR.. Armisteads word as conclu-
sive. DR.. Bloodgood intimated that he had
reason 10 believe. and so had the other
officers, that Il wasn't the coming OF a
wire from town, but man, that drove
Armistead out OF the post. Through
clerks, orderlies and kitchen door cackle
the AFFAIR got out in exaggerated
shape. Then famed the columns of CHI
cago's unterrified press with headlines OF
startling Observation-Disclosures Scandal
at the Fort! Duel Nipped In the Bud!
Row In the Regiment Further Sensa-
tions Sure TO Follow! Colonel Sharpe De-
fes the Pressl Prominent Officers Arrest
edi' And in "a hours what had been
placid and fairly orderly military COM
munity was engulfed In whirlpool OF
gossip and Frustrated at the contempla-
tion OF it's own enormities as portrayed
by the papers. Sharpe was driven nearly
rabid by the reporters. who dogged his
every movement and beseged his quar-
ters morn, noon and night. Bloodgood re-
fused nat footed to be Interviewed,
and Armlstead shut his mouth like a
clam, thereby compelling some journal
II was from the inspired columns OF The
Palladium that the colonel first learned
that the cause OF the whole trouble was
"the presence at the post OF man re-
Gently dismissed IN disgrace from the
army, but who, in defiance OF law. regu-
iations and common decency. Is now con-
cealed in the quarters of Lieutenant Mel
son. a former classmate. The man In
question was until his dismissal a lieuten-
ant In the artillery, but his peccadillos,
extending over a period OF years, had
eliminated In cowardly assault on
brother officer at Fort Pawnee" And
sharpe sent for Nelson and demanded
the facts. Nelson unerringly gave them
and said his friend was prostrated stu,
and the doctor forbade his being disturb
ed or seen, which was all there was TO
the assertion that no was concealed. The
colonel felt, somehow, that Langdons
presence at the post was thing he ought
TO object 10. and he did. See what an
Internal bobbery II has kicked up!' said
he NOW they'll be demanding an ex-
planation from me at Washington, and
what the devil am / TO say2 You ought 10
hav consulted my wishes before harbor-
ing a man in Mr.. Langdon's plight
~ did not invite poor Langdon out
here. colonel" answered Nelson. Two
OF our men found him fainting and ex-
haustsd In town and meroifully brought
him here. 1 put him to bed in my quarters
as q matter of course. and IL that's a
military offence I'll stand any punishment
a court martial may inflict. As TO Armi-
stead and Langdon. beyond tho fact that
there is some deep feeling between them
I know nothing There is no likelihood or
thar meeting and when Langdon is
strong enough to move he will need no
hint from headquarters or anywhere else
Then the colonel said something about
reporters which, being interpreted, was
the reverse OF complimentary and not
altogether just. because, like soldiers
these hapless toilsrs have their orders
and cannot but obey. They were sent to
Sheridan to get something sensational.
'something 10 make the paper sell" and
the fellow that came back empty handed
none OF them did. OF course-stood In
danger of discharge. The colonel really
wanted 10 know the nature or the tele-
gram that called Dr. Armistead SO sud
denIy 10 town. The senior surgeon, Lieu
tenant Nelson and one or two others had
intimated that It was not the coming
of the telegram, but Langdon, that set
him going. Investigation, however, de-
yeloped the fact that telegram really
had been received and delivered to DIR.
Armistead. The operator could not be
reoulred TO disclose the nature OF the
same. II being a private dispatch. yet
tha colonel thought he ought TO know
AZ for no other reason than TO be able to
set at rest the rumors at Amsteads ex-
pense. and before he had time TO think IL
Ali over and decide with wisdom, as Ill
luck would have IL. he met Armistead In
front OF headquarters and beckoned him
aside.
.Dr. Armistead." said he, I'm justice
to yourself IL might be we'll TO let me
see the dispatch you received the other
night. You-may have heard that other
motives have been assigned TO your going
90 hurriedly TO town.
1T have heard. sir" was the doctors
reioiner. also of the Inquiries certain OF
your officers Of the operator In my
state we shoot men who stoop TO such
practices Up here you seem to encour-
age them"
The colonel flushed hotiy. Have
care. Dr. Armistead. Language like that
has led 10 the loss OF more than one COM
mission! do not resent your words as
they deserve, because 1 know the strain
you are under and the annoyance you
We ALL have had. repeat that IL seems
due to yourself 20 dispel this--uncertain-
tv and uncertainty the colonel paused.