The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-10
CLOVES LABOR WON.

from the Chicago Record Herald
William Blair is a Chicago boy VINO
Tor something over two years mas Deeh
& second lieutenant in the United states
army Blair was appointed to the ser
vice from civil life, and for a year or
two prior to his joining 1t had been ms
intention to make an electrical engineer
Of himself but the army chance came
and in he went.
Now this throwing in his lot with
Uncle Sam seemed likely to prove serl-
Gus thing for Second Lieutenant BAR
He had been in love for several years
with pretty Jennie Boyce, who was klnd
enough to reciprocate and to love bar
Just about as hard as girl can. NOW
when Boyce pater heard that Blily
Blair was going into the army he sent
Tor Jennie and said. You never can
marry young Blair with my consent.
was willing as longsas | believed ne was
going to take up decent, hard working
profession, but this army officer busl-
ness, al any rate in these times OF peacS.
Is something I won't stand. They're "a
lazy, shiftless lot who don't do tnlnS
from morning to night but Loaf except
ing about once a week, when as OIfcefs
Of the day they have to go around ana
ask the sentinels u few questions.
Jennie pleaded, but found it was of no
use. Her father had set his face ike
4 stone. and the girl thought it was all
up. She told Billy about it, and Billy
was mad and exceeding sorrowful al
the same time He felt the slight put
upon his chosen profession, and he
didn't want to lose Jennie Wen win
the old fellow over some way" he said
60 her. land if we can't do it inside of
two years why you just be brave and
Wen marry anyway"
Second Lieutenant Blair joined his
troop and was jumped to a small post
In the suburbs Of the town of San HUI
berto. z rto Rico. Billy's mother went
to the island and kept house for her
son
Now after the separation from her
lover Jennie Boyce began to get a little
peaked and pale. Her father, who was
a widower, noticed it and called in the
doctor. 1t may be that the doctor had
been approached. but whether this be
true or not he told old Boyce bluntly
that his daughter ought to go to the
West Indies for couple of months.
This was last winter. Even though the
old man had put his foot down on his
daughters. marriage proposition, he
loved her, and his fright at her physical
condition was in the same measure as
his love. So it was that Archibald Boyce
and his daughter Jennie took passage
on a steamer for San Juan, Porto Rico.
Now it is perhaps needless to say th;tt
Billy Blair knew all about the Boyces
movements He made his mother IN
N1te old Archibald and his daughter to
come to the post to stay from Thurs
day night till Monday morning. Mrs.
Blair wrote both to Mr.. Boyce and 10
his daughter. She was taking TO chance
of the old gentleman's keeping the ~
vitation a secret. Archibald Boyce SAID
no, but Jennie pleaded and looked 50
pale that the old man relented and sail
that he'd go to the fort at San Huberto
if for no other purpose than to show his
daughter what an utterly law, useless
life an army officer led in time of peace.
They don't do q thing but loaf, Jenny,
he said. "TH have no loafing son Lin
law around me"
San Huberto is a onetrooo most. The
captain of troop "P' of the Twentieth
cavalry which was stationed at San HI
berto was on detached duty as an M
structor at West Point. The first lieu
Orleans. Second Lieutenant Blair was
in command of the outfit. and as there
was but one troop at the fort, he was
also post commander
Archibald Boyce and his daughter
reached Fort San Huberto late in the
evening. They were in the snug little
par!or of Billy Blair's quarters, which
were presided over by the motherly Mrs,
Blair. Mr.. Boyce,' said Billy. you
don't know much of army life. and
possibly you'd like to make my round of
duties with me tomorrow"
The old fellow smiled bit satirically
well yes Mr. Blair" he said I'm go
the rounds with you. and though I'm
much more than double your age I
guess it won't tire me much. Jennie
and 1 are to be here three days. and I'll
guarantee to go your rounds with you
every day and not cry quits" and the
old fellow chuckled audibly.
well, Mr.. Boyce,f said Billy. I'VE
shall have to start early. The first call
for reveille is at 3 O'Clock 7 have to
receive the report of the roll call. and