The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-05-31
The ChaDIain's Night Off.


Bert Robertson and Dusty busl
were the closest chums In the college
They rOomed together, ate together
studied togther, fought for each othel
and were altogether considered as one
But after graduation each went his
several way and ultimately Bert deVel-
0ped into Herbert H Robertson. at
torney-at-laW, while Dusty" was
transhgured into a Methodist Episco-
pal clergyman under the alias of the
Rev. Augustus W. Bush. They settled
in different cities and pursued their
callings with credit
Their ways diVerged very rapidly,
however, and while Robertson slid
along the rOse-lined lane of free-hand-
ed gOod fellowship. as became a rising
attorney and lobbyist. the Rev. Bush
tightened up and became more priM
and correct as the days vanished. OF
course. they grew apart. as all college
friends do. Robertson went the way
Of high finance, wine, woman and
song. Bush went up the straight and
narrow path. growing more rigid and
ascetic every day.
Their lives c0nverged again when.
in answer 10 the thunder and smoke
and FIRE in which the Maine went down
in Havana harbor. the call went forth
from Washington for troops 10 avenge
the crime and teach manners 10 the
dons. Both men turned up in the state
camp as officers in the same hastily
imprOvised regiment. Bush had gone
in as chaplain. while Robertson, ever
eager for action and adventure. had.
through his political associations, Sc
cured a majors commission.
The state authorities were wofully
unprepared for the horde OF volunteers
which descended upon them. Every
thing was lacking, Including tents. So
when Major Robertson, dominant, self
assertive and efficient, fell over Chap
lain Bush trying 70 shrink into a cor
ner. and learned that he was unprovid-
ed for as 10 quarters. he carried him of
10 his own tent and, with a few quick
motions, had secured the necessary
equipment TO make him comfortable.
you can't stand around and wait
for some kind fairy to get your cots
and blankets in this bloody old world,
Dusty" he said. You've got to get
out and hustle for 'em. Have a drink,
Dusty. | brought this stuff from the
city. myself. It's fine"
no. thank you. Bert" replied Bush,
rather abashed, but yet liking the
sound Of his old nickname. I'm all
with that sort Of thing"
Then he added, But go along. I'm
no crank"
They sat amid their memories and
until far into the night,
renewing the old comradeship and
starting a new one.
All this would have been very well,
had it not been for the Rev. Bushs
and Major Robertson's
haste and the difference in their char
acters.
What happened was this: The Rev.
Augustus Bush, being very deyotedly
in love with a charming maiden. de-
vout daughter of the church, as well as
Of a prosperous family, learned that
his lady love had arrived in town and
was domiciled with friends on Fifth
street Inasmuch as they were formal
ly engaged she had sent him word.
Il am at the Chalmers, on Fifth
street. where l will be glad to see you
this evening. should your duties per-
nit. Dora Blakesly." So the message
ran.
Dress parade was on, in which he
had no part, when the message was
delivered. Immediately he leaped for
his dress uniform, and a few moments
later was surveying himself with some
in the small hand mirror
the tent afforded. Truly, he was a
gallant figure. The uniform made him
appear more virile and manly than his
sober preacher garb And he vent
yaily forth to his sweetheart-and his
doom.
Oh. most unfortunate Of clergymen.
most laundering Of men, what have
you done? Snatched up Major Robert
sons uniform by mistake. Alasl you
are built like your tent-mate and the
coat fits to perfection.
A half hour later the major dashed
In, the duties Of dress parade over, and
love into his dress uniform also (as he
thonght). Anyway, it was the only
dress uniform in sight and fitted all
right, and he had an engagement at
the club down town, where a half
dozen young fellows from the city were /
awaiting him-and he was overdue. |
it was dark and he could not |
see plainly.
The result was that Chaplain Bush /
went to call on his lady love with the |
gold leaves on his shoulder and Major I
Robertson went for a Wild night at 1
the club with the shepherds crooks on /
his collar. With the chaplain it made /
no difference. as the ladies were not 1
with the intricacies Of mil !
Itary heraldry, and the gold leaves +
looked as prim and sedate as the shep- 4
herds crooks would have appeared.
But with Major Robertson it was