Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-11-04
SHORT STORY FOR
EVENING HOURS
A REUNION IDYLL

hLUNlUN lDlLL
Elihu Gambler, Commander Of the
G. A. Il. post in his town, was a very
busy man. The surviving veterans of
his regiment were to have their an
nual reunion on the 23d and arrange.
ments were all completed for days OF
camp life. He was getting anxious,
however. about the tents which we're
to be loaned his association by the
State Military Department. 1t was
now the 2lst, the date set for their ar
rival, and not even the State armorer,
who was to superintend the pitching
% the tents had put in an appearance.
Capt. Gambler telegraphed the Quar-
tcrmaster General and received dis
patch to the effect that the tents had
fore. He then sought the freight
agent. who owned to a bill of tentage,
but who insisted the goods had been
sidetraCked somewhere en- route. The
afternoon train brought the armorer,
who could throw no light on the sub
J'NNs utlNH'l hlu Nul' w. ll' hhh
been detailed to come to Ashley Hills
and erect tents. He had carried out his
orders and was ready TO pitch the tents
when they should arrive. II was not
his duty to trace them and he should
consider 1t unmiitary to do so. He
sat lacOniCally in the office of the little
hotel relating to the struggling crowd
of loungers Munchausen tales of how
to put down the rebellion.
Frantic with apprehension. Capt. Eli
hu Gambler took his woes home to pour
into femincne ears. They were always
at least sympathetic.
why don't you telephone the Quar-
tcrmaster General, papa" inquired his
daughter Eloise, a pretty, fair-halred
girt OF 10.
That's good idea, Eloise," he said.
IN go down to the Office now and jerk
them up down there"
In the course of two hours he re-
turned flushed and wearied, but jubi-
liant II called up the Capitol" he
said. and | got the Assistant Quarter
master General. He said the tents
must be here and to go and investigate
the freight office. did and that gawky
.of a Luke Hawks finally said: Wal,
thar is some tents and stun come. but
II don't jlbe with the bill He would
MT let me have the tents. II was an
awful small piece OF red tape for him
to take advantage Of, but he hasn't got
over my beating him at last election
/ knew he wouldn't give in. so called
up the Capitol again and the Assistant
Quartermaster General was as mad as
Il halter. He just talked straight from
the shoulder about that Luke Hawks
and finally he said he'd catch the next
train and core down here and get
those tents for me II he had to punch
Luke HAWKES. head.
Il told him he was fighter after
my own heart. and | got him to prom
Use he'd stay over for the reunion.
He'll stay with us, OF course, till we go
into camp, So ma, you want to prepare
for him."
What's his name" asked Mrs
Gambler.
IL couldn't catch II over the phone
He's Colonel. though. | didn't get his
regiment, either"
What time will he get here"
About 6 o'clock. ! am going down
now to get the boys out and escort him
up with the hand. It's due State Off
Ger and Colonel" and the strenuous
Captain of he old Fourth rushed OFF TO
collect his forces
Mrs. Gambler Mem 20 assist her
help" in the preparation of supper.
First, however, she babe Eloise go and
don one of her pretty white gowns,
"Oh, mother, what's the use?" Eloise
had protested Hes some old soldier
with a host of war stories who won't
know calico from a dimity."
Never mind. He's company and
it'll please your pa; besides, here's the
summer nearly over and you haven't
had the worth of your best dresses"
ElOise sighed as she listlessly attired
herself in a dainty summer frock. Two
years at boarding school and two
months visit the preceding winter at
a school friends who resided in Buff
falo had entirely convinced her that
the society Of Ashley Hill was not to
be desired She recalled the dances,
theatres and hreside condolences she
had enjoyed last winter with Leonard
Haverly. while visiting her friend. lie
had been entirely devoted TO her until
she was called suddenly nome by the
illness Of her mother.
She remembered the look in his
handsome eyes as he babe her farewell
"a, the train and the tenderness in his
voice when he eagerly asked permission
10 white to her and begged her to let
him know Of her safe arrival and her
mothers condition. For the first two
weeks after her return. her mother S