The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-05-23
The Chaplain's Night Off.
BY ]. L. KEsToR.

tADNNfA NJ l9Wi ~ l'allA StolA run. ~
Beu" Robertson and BUSY" Bus
were The closest chums in HE college
They roomed together ale together
/. studied togther, fought for each othe
and were altogether considered as one
Bur after graduation each went hi
several way ana ultimately Bert deyel
oped into Herbert A. Robertson, AZ
torney -atlaw, while Dusty wa
, transhgured into Methodist Episco
pal Clergyman under the alias OF tn
Rev. Augustus W. Bush. They settle'
in different cities and pursued thei
cal!lhgs with credit.
Their ways diverged very rapidly
however, and while Robertson silk
along the rose-lined lane OF free-hand
ed good fellowship, as became a rising
attorney and lobbyist the Rev. Bush
ti2htened up aud became more prinl
and correct as the days vanished. Oh
course. they grew apart, AS all college
friends do. Robertson Went the way
song. Bush went up the straight ant,
narrow path, growing more rigid ano
! ascetic every day
1 Their lives eonverged 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
improyised 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
assertiYe and efficient, fell over Chap
lain Bush trying TO shrink into a cor
ner, ana learned that he was unproyid.
ed for as to quarters, he carried him OF
70 his own tent and, with a few quick
motions, had secured the necessary
equipment 10 make him comfortable.
You can't stand around and wait
Tor 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 EN- Have 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 al. I.
through with that sort OF thing"
Then he added, But go along. I'm
no crank"
They sat amid their memories ana I
"reminiscences until far into the night, /
renewing the old comradeship and
starting a new one.
All this would have been very well,
had ii not been for the Rev. Bushs
and Major Robertsons
haste and the difference In their char.
acters.
What happened was this: The Rev.
Augustus Bush. being very devotedly
N love with a charming maiden, de
sont daughter OF the church, as we'll as
Of prosperous family learned thai
MS lady love had arrived in town ana
was domieiled with friends on Fifth
street. Inasmuch as they were formal.
y engaged she had sent him word
II am al the Chalmers, on Fifth
street, where | will be glad 10 see you
his evening. should your duties per
nit Dora Blakesly" So the message
AN.
Dress parade was on, in which h,
lad Ro part, when the message was
delivered. Immediately he leaped fol
his dress uniform, end a few moment.
alter was surveying himself with som,
in the small hand miro,
he tent Afforded. Truly. he was {
Iallant figure. The uniform made hin
ppear more yirile and manly than hi
ober preacher garb. And he wenl
ally forth TO his sweetheart-and his
Dom.
Oh, most unfortunate OF elergymen
most laundering of men, what have
on done? Snatched mp Major Robert
on's uniform by mistake Alas, you
re built like your lrnt-mate and the
oat its TO perfection.
A half hour later the major dashed
D. the duties of dress parade over. ane
Owe into his dress uniform also (as he
hought. Anyway, II was the only
ress uniform in sight and fitted all ,
light, and he had an engagement at ,
he club down town. where a half /
Ozen young fellows from the eity.were ,
waiting him-and he was overdue
Besides, i was dark and he could moi :
ee plainly.
The result was that Chaplain Bush
vent to call on his lady love with The
old leaves on his shoulder and Maioi
robertson went for a wild night al
he club with the shepherds crooks or t.
is collar With the chaplain ii made
o difference. as the ladies' were not
onversant with the intricacies OF mil !
iary heraldry. and the gold leaves :
'oked as prim and sedate as the shep. !,
erds crooks would have appeared. !,
But with Major Robertson il was n
inerent. He burst into the club ike n
cyclone. tired and dry from his duties 4
the feid. and shouting loudly and c
for high-ball. His 4