Rosebud County news. [volume] (Forsyth, Mont.) 1901-1906, 1902-04-03
Copyright. 1899. by F. 1ennyson NeeIy.l

fornia his home, Billy had spent years
in camp and field and saddle and knew
the west as he could never hope to know
IIaswell. The only natural soldier of
his class when, sorely against the will
of most, they entered the student bat
talon, he promptly won the highest
chevrons that could be given in the
sophomore year, and, almost is prompt
ly, lost them for ''lates" and absences.
When the varsity was challenged by a
neighboring institute to a competitive
drill the scouts" of the former report
ed that the crack company of the San
Pedros had the snappiest captain they
ever saw, and that, with far better ma
terial to choose from, and more Of it..
the varsity wouldn't stand a ghost of "a
show in the eyes of the professional
judges unless Billy would brace up"
and take hold" Billy was willing as
Barkis, but the faculty said it would
put a premium on laxity to make Billy
varsity captain, even though the pres
ent incumbents were ready, any Of
them, to resign in his favor. 'Prex"
said no in no uncertain terms; the chal-
lcnge was declined, whereat the rival
institute crowcd Justify and the thing
got into the papers. AS Il result select
company of student volunteers was
formed; its members agreed to drill an
hour daily in addition to the prescribed
work, provided Billy would "talle hold"
in earnest, and this was the company
that, under his command. swept the
boards six weeks later and left San
Pedro's contingent an amazed and dis
gusted crowd. Then Billy went to
metaphorical pieces again until the war
clouds overspread the land; then like
his fathers son he girded up his loins,
went in for Il commission and won.
And here he was Sub in Uncle Sam
stalwart infantry with three classmates
serving under him in the ranks and half
dozen more, either as junior officers
or enlisted men, in the camps of the
volunteers. He was handsome boy,
a healthy, hearty boy, and, as boys go,
rather a good boy-a boy in whom his
mother would have found, had she not
long since been lifted above the cares
of this world, much of comfort and
more to condone, but a boy, neverthe-
less who had given his old dragon of
| q dad many an anxious hour. Now,
just as he lleared the legal dividing line
between youth and years of discretion,
Billy Gray had joined the third bat
talon of his regiment, full of pluck,
hope and health, full of ambition to
make a name for himself in profession
he loved as, except his father, he GER
tainly loved nothing else, and utterly
scot1ing the idea that there might come
into his life a being for the sake of
| whose smile he could almost lay down
password, for he had yet to meet Amy
Lawrence.
who are the women folks up at
headquarters. ''Billy?" asked youth OF
his own years and rank, peering eagerly
through the drifting mist at the dim
| ghostly outlines of the generals camp
Didn't get to see 'em. Where's the
old mantle colonel?" was the reply
Chief wants him toot de sweet"
whats wanted?" called a voice from
the biggest of the neighboring tents
and close-cropped head was thrust
out between the front tent flaps. "Tha,
| you, Billy? Who wants the colonel:
He and the brig rode over to the Pre-
sidio an hour ago-ain't got back. Come
in; I've started fire in our Oil stove.