Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-10
The Little Tough Sergeant

MdDtl " neEStll, al she ley III uGI Dtu
that night at the hotel. He'll take me to
the Philippines just the same!" and her
mind being made up, she went smilingly
to sleep. When little Mabel once made
up her mind she was as set" as her old
father, and the latter knew 1t. He was
glad when Jack volunteered for service in
the army, for he was perfectly aware that,
sooner or later, Mabel and Jack would
marry, and the old gentleman wanted a
sOn-in-law who was "wuth sump'n."
Great was Captain Bertrand's surprise
when Mabel put in an appearance one
day at the camp near the Preside, at San
Francisco. She was prettier than ever;
she was so pretty, in fact, that officers
and men of the Twentieth made the most
ludicrous mistakes in tactics and other
things because they couldn't keep their
eyes off of her instead of attending to their
military duties. Even old Major Bowers
issued an incorrect order one day, much
to the surprise Of the regiment and the
chagrin Of the veteran.
I've come to be married, Jack, and I'm
going to the Philippines" was the astound-
ing announcement, delivered calmly.
That was all there was to 1t, and there
being no way out Of It, Jack told the
major. and the major told the colonel.
Nv hg uu " ht6iOCl W III H
colonel also (whose mind was busy with
other things) that Captain Bertrand was
the luckiest dog he ever knew. at ought
to be a regimental wedding, colonel" said
the ma ior.
"Why?" asked the colonel shortly. This
regiment isn't a matrimonial bureau"
N other regiment here. colonel, has
ever had one" suggested the major, and
we'll beat 'em all out"
II there was anything the colonel loved
II was to beat the other fellow, whoever
he might be, and so he agreed to the plan.
The colonel wasn't a man OF many words.
But how the devil is she to get to the
Philippines?" asked the colonel suddenly.
"Oh, she'll get there somehow" answered
the major wisely. That grid marry the
car If she made her mind up to do it,"
Then he told the colonel the whole
story; how he had reprlmsnded Jack at
Topeka, and how the girl had showed
up at San Francisco" and the colonel
laughed until his sides were sore.
G ahead" said the colonel, plunging
into the mass of business before him, and
the major, who made himself master of
ceremonies, went ahead. 1t was the most
elaborate function of the season in San
Francisco. and more than a mere regi-
mental affair; for the general officers and
lhtlI StdhSs dnu the COtOlel anu all his
officers, and the regimen and high the
high-up society people of the city were
there; and Mabel received presents-vaI-
liable ones, tOO-from all sides.
The regiment gave her cheers three times
three. and all through the ceremonies Uhe
wedding and the TeeeptiOn) Mabel was
as cool as a rose on a dewy morning. while
Jack sWore the heat was something ire
mendous. 1T must be eight thousand in
the shade," said he.
Mabel, although now a married woman.
had thirteen hundred ardent admirers,
bound tightly to her by knots of admira-
ton, among whom was the first sergeant Of
Jacks eOmpahy-ths Little Tough Sergeant,
they called him. o, but he Vas tough!
There wasn't the slightest doubt Of IL! He
was wicked, too; in fact, he was SO bad
the regiment couldn't even take pride in
him
This Little Tough Sergeant inspired ter
roT among the men, and commanded re-
speet on the part Of the officers. He never
did anything because IL was right, nor re-
Trained from doing anything because It
might be wrong; he exhibited little or no
moral sense. but he was a dead shot, quick
on the trigger and absolutely devoid OF
fear.
While the TWentieth was being drilled,
put in order and recruited Al Topeka, he
slOuehed into the recruiting once one aft
ernOon and said he wanted to enlist. The
recruiting Of5ceF. a veteran Of the reg
ular army. asked him if he could handle
firearms. and he said he could. Could h
ridee Yes. Had he ever seoutedg Yes
Had he ever been in the ranks? Yes. IN
recruiting OdieeT jumped at the chance, an
put the newcomer on the roster. He hai
fought Indians for twenty years. and eOulC
distinguish - man OF fighting breed at
glance.
What name the recruit assigned himzeI
dOesn't matter. This Is a story eOnsainin,
sORe facts. and the name given by the re
crutt vas doubtless no fact.
He was made hTsJ sergeant Of Jack
company. and when the men under hiu
Locked into Ri4 ewes tbav eoaeIHEzd A.