Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-04-23
DAILY SHORT STORY
The Little Gunner.

turned over in bed ana Irleu 10 20 10
sleep. ConfOund that morning gun. 1t
was all right for il 10 wake up those
who were expected 10 wake up, but
what q nuisance for those who could
sleep as long as they wished
The colonel opened his eyes.
Now, the morning gun is fired at sun
rise, and at sunrise any fool knows
there is daylight. But TO the colonel
everything was as black as when he
put out his light the night before. Had
he gone blind? He sprang up in ter
ror. Not entirely blind, for he could
distinguish the window and clearly
saw n bright star in the sky. Jumping
out of bed, he struck Il match and look
ed at his watch.
1t was three minutes after >.
by the eternal jingo," he muttered,
I'll break every officer at this post if
necessary TO find who is responsible
for this, The morning gun ut o'clock.
Who ever heard of such Il thing!'
The colonel went to the window and
threw up the sash. There were lights
in some of the quarters, while others
We're still dark. The officer OF the day
WAS hurrying across the parade. The
colonel called TO him, asked him what
il all meant and received the reply that
he was going to find out. The colonel
Shut the sash with Il bang and went
back to bed, but not to sleep. He oc-
cupied his time laying plans TO discOv-
er the miscreant and musing on the
probable punishment he would receive
at the hands of court martial.
i.
she poured out his coffee at breakfast
did you hear gun fire. ut o'clock
this morning."
Did l hear it? Rather ask me if I'll
have any mercy on the man who fired
1t. Lieutenant Ellison has had charge
of the room where the automatic ap-
paratus used in firing the gun is locat-
ed. 1 shall hold him responsible"
But, papa" demonstrated the girl,
who had been trying to get her fathers
consent to her marrying the same Eli
son without success. Mr.. Ellison
leaves the gun fire to the sergeant
There was q tap ut the door.
"Come in" called the colonel, and
who should enter but Ellison himself.
The colonel glarcd at him.
Colonel" said the young officer, 81
came to report to You that since the
gun was fired at 3 o'clock this morning
1 have been up investigating the mat
ter and am happy TO report that have
discovered the culprit.''
well, sir who is he:"
The smallest gunner at the post"
Ills name?'
''Twit.'
Miss Ethel cast a surprised glance
at the lieutenant, which was returned
by a knowing glance from the officer.
''Twit? Tw!t?" unused the colonel.
81 don't remember the name. How did
he get into the firing ROOM"
THAT. sir. l would rather say moth
ing about
You shall say something about it
If I'm in command here" replied the
colonel angrily.
Pardon me. colonel. I would have
to implicate one near and dear TO you"
Dear to me. What DO you mean?"
''NOt only dear to you. but to me-"
The colonel was mute from surprise.
Ethel hung her head.
do you mean. sir. to implicate my
daughter? IS this revenge for-for-
your refUsal!' Numbered the colonel.
half rising.
NO, colonel. Miss Ethel is really
responsible. though, l am happy To
say. Indirectly. and no criminality at
tachcs to her act. She introduced the
gunner into the room"
''Shc, What gunner
"Twlt''
Miss Ethel put her handkerchief to
her mouth and turned away.
What do you mean to imply. sir?
That my daughter is in league with an
enlisted man of my commando"
Il didn't say he was an enlisted
man. He is too short to come within
the limits. Hes only three inches from
his bcak to his toes"
WHAT"
Three inches
The blood rushed to the coloners
cheek. the fire TO his eye. MIR. Ellison,
I'd have you know. sir. that foolery in
the line of duty is worse than-its
worse than mutiny. sir"
I'm not fooling. colonel. I'm stating
an exact truth. The gunner who fired
the gun this morning is a yellow
boy
a muIatto?
NO. colonel; a beautiful canary col
or"
''Oh. papa cried Ethel, turning,
you're so stupid
The colonel looked from the officer TO
the girl like an enraged bull from one
matadore to another.
''Twit is my bird, papa. Don't you
see?'
Colonel" said Ellison. when Miss
Ethel went away two weeks ago she
placed her canary in charge of the
sergeant's wife. Since Miss Ethel only
returned last evening she has not yet
received back her pet. The bird has
been kept in the firing room and last |
night, the cage having been inadver-
tently left open, got out and after fly |
ing about hoped on to the electric key |
that fires the gun
The cOlonel'S face subsidized from an