The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1903-10-30
|. 6. BRAND

Copyright, 1ooo, by 7. C. Mcclure


o.o.c.c.c.CS.o.S..c.o.c~6
Lieutenant Phillips, U. s. ", had
been inspecting government property
out In the corral, but the heat had
driven him into his tent, which was
pitched just OH the edge OF coffee
plantation. ".sf
1t was Mt the time when our govern
ment was withdrawing from Porto
Rico the vast number Of horses, army
wagons and other transportation pqra-
phernalia which had been necessary
during the war. Inspection duty. is
only given to men who are thoroughly
trustworthy. Especially Is this true in
Porto Rico. There were large guam
titles Of government property there
after the surrender, most Of It I'm good
condition. The planters thcreabouts,
who had lost seasons crops through
the war, were anxious to chcaply re-
equip their plantations with wagons,
horses and mules. 1t was because the
honest gentlemen had tendency, to
offer Inducements" to inspecting Of
hcers to condemn good property, which
the planters could affcrward buy for
a. song at tRe auction, that especial
care was used in the selection Of in
spectipg officers. Lieutenant Phillips
was one of the elect
On such government property as is
condemned the "I. c." brand is placed
II. c." means inspected and condemn
ed. 1t Is not wise for civilian to have
In his possession any property which
bears the mark "U. S." and does not
also bear the mark 81. c." Both are
stcncilcd in black paint on tcntage can
vas, blankets and such like, surned
into the bodies of wagons and other
wooden articles and branded on the
tanks Of horses and mules.
Lieutenant Philips kept the irons in
his own possession for fenI they might
be used unscrupulousiy. He carried
them, with their brazler still half full
Of hot Goals. to the rear of his tent SO
that what little breeze there was would
blow tho heat away from him. Then
he removed his heavier garments.
II had been q hard day for the lieu
tenant. Early In the morning he had
been chief witness Mt court martial
which had convicted an American SOL
dicr Of having cruelty treated his wife,
a beautiful Porto Rican girl. The ac-
cused, Luigi Aramado, was swarthy
fellow of Italian parcntagc.
Lieutenant Philips remembered with
discomfort the fierce look the man had
thrown ut him as handcuffed, he had
been led away to the guardhouse. But,
although the lieutenant lad the pink
cheeks Of a girl and never a. suspicion
of n mustache upon his upper lip. he
had n reputation for fcarlcssncss.
Before he settled down to sleep lie
released from the ventilated box a
pair Of little lizards. They are of the
variety called chnmeleons and can be
easily tanned by any one cswho Will oc-
casionnlly give them sip of gar9and
water. a few dies or some other dain.
ties dear to the heart. Many OF our
soldiers in Porto Rico so tanned them.
and Lieutenant Phillips was among
their number.
When he finally lay down on his
camp cot they took their stations. one
upon his pillow, one upon his chest
They knew instinctively that lie did
not like to have them on his face, fer
whenever they trcspasscd Oh this terri
tory he moved rcstlessly. but their
prcse,:co near his face was quite su.li-
Client to keep most of the flies away.
While the lieutenant was EAkini, all
these preparations for his .s;"sta there