Evening journal., 1905-03-07
THE MlLKSOP
IorIrinnl1

~ hOht hhVht army ptopAo luAh
dove In a nest Of eagles"
Don't worry, papa. Tommy Cudlipp
hasn't the spunlS to propose"
Tommy Cudlipp had been brought up
under dlsadvantageous circumstances.
His father had died when he was a
baby, and Tommy had never been any
thing more than a baby to his mother.
She had kept him about her till she
died. Then Tommy set out to see some
thing Of the world He began by visit
ing the frontier. but fell in love with
the first girl he saw-viz, Louise XII
burn, whom he met while he was look
ing over the fort her father command
ed. In consequence OF this enthrallment
Tommy got no further. The girl seem
ed to be amused with him, and the off,
GERS Of the fort made no end Of fun at
his expense. The truth Is Tommy's
mother had made a milksop OF him.
But that could hardly be considered his
fault. It was rather his misfortune.
One morning the colonel was hurry |
ing across the parade when he met
young Dudlipp.
'Mr. Cudlipp," he said, Il would ad-
wise you to take a back track toward |
civilization. The Indians have broken |
loose. and we're going 70 have a hot
time OF II"
The colonel did not stop TO note tho |
effect OF his words. but hurried on, and |
in two hours was moving at the head |
Of all the troops under his command
except a small garrison left In the fort
TO attack the savages.
Two days passed. Colonel Kilburn,
who had spent most OF his term Of
service IN the artillery on the eastern
coast and had no experience at lighting
Indians, permitted himself 70 be drawn
into an ambush in an almost impass-
able canyon. But he pushed on, resolv-
ed to beat them on their own ground
He was himself fighting I'm the advance
under a deadly fire when, looking
about him, he noticed that the men
who had followed him were but a
small portion OF his command, and not
a single officer had been able to with
stand the murderous shower OF bullets
poured down upon them. Those who
had not been picked or by the sure
aim OF the savages had fallen back
with their men.
But who is this far below singly
pressing forward3 From rock TO rock
he leaps and climbs, traversing the
rough ground with incredible rapidity.
| The coloners heart stands still. Is the
conner a messenger to announce that
the Indians have attacked his rearl IL
so, not a soldier will escape. But as
the man comes nearer II Is plain that
he is not a soldier. Instead OF SOB
diers felt alpine he wears a derby; IN
stead OF the blue with yellow facings
OF the cavalry he wears a gray travel
ing suit. Then when he comes near
the colonel recognizes the milksop-
Tommy Cudlipp. His hands are bleed
ing from the sharp rocks over which
he has climbed; his hat is dented; his
trousers are torn. revealing what In an
other case might be taken for a hag
Of truce. AS he nears the colonel he
starts. grasps one Of his wrists and
carries the arm that has been broken
by a bullet
.'What in thunder roared the colo
mel.
"Pve come, coloner'- began the young
man and paused TO hitch bis wounded
arm TO a more comfortable position
'eWell," cried the colonel. what haze
you come forT'
after you went away II ventured
to propose to Miss Louise, and she said
l could come and ask you"
II might be expected that the colonel
would stand mute with astonishment
Not so. In the first place he was In no
position to do 80. and In the second
with a soldiers quiciness to seize upon
opportunity, seeing that he had a valu
able aid at hand whom he greatly
needed, be flashed the words:
"Go back and bring up the command
ana you shall have her"
Down went Tommy Cudhpp. tum
bling over stones, sliding down places
too steep to walk on, moving far quick
er than he came. till he reached point
OF rocks behind which the command
were huddied, their officers vainiy en-
deavoring to drive them up the canyon
'The colonel says for you TO conn
right upr' cried the aid In a falsett'
voice.
To a soldier death is preferable to be
fag outdone in the line OF duty by |
citizen. Every man sprang up tn
canyon. On reaching the colonel tn
united forces pushed forward. drov'
the Indians into a pocket from whicl
there was no escape and exterminate'
every savage.
When TIE colonel returned 30 IN
fort the first person he sought was hi
daughter.
"What in the world did you mean b,
sending Cudlipp to me at such timer
he asked.
, "why, papa, he finally got out hi
: declaration, and / thought 1t would b
! a good joke to send him to the from
for his answer. never dreamed b
4 would 60"
= "Go7 He's a natural soldier, just tn
kind we want in the army. And in tn
army he'll be II can get him there"
, And so it was that Thomas Cudlip
= became a "cit' appointment In th
United States cavalry and in tim
!, married Louise Kilburn.
! It is possible that a mother ma
: make a milksop Of her son, but IL b
|. breaks away from her influence earl
! enough and his natural proclivities nn
! opportunity he may still make ma
Of himself. But such cases are rare.
II A lHTTCYrTFrT '