Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1906-10-19
By Hal Evans.

Jack Browne and a select few OF his
brother officers sat in solemn conclave
In the messroom one evening after their
seniors had retired, discussing the des-
! perate condition Of his affairs.
Jack was a foolish, eXtravagant,
young subaltern in a line regiment,
Who had contrived to get deeply into
debt without the slightest chance OF ex-
Treating himself from his difficulties.
His only relative was a strong-mlnded
maiden aunt, who not only refused 10
assist him, but even threatened to with
draw the allowance she made him since
he entered the army.
He considered he was being very
hardly treated, for the truth is he ala
not properly appreciate what his aunt
had already one for him.
There was no doubt, however that he
was in an awkward predicament. FOR
on the one hand he could not possibly
remain in the regiment unless his debts
were paid. and, on the other, his aunt
declared that ii he resigned his commits
sion she would ave nothing more TO
do with him..
Jack did not at all relish the prospect
Of being compelled to earn his living,
especially as he had no idea how to set
about it. Moreover, he was extremely
popular in his regiment and was con-
%sequently loath to cave it. His brother
officers, unfortunately, could only assist
him by their sympathy, and by suggest
Ing various ~expedients for raising
money, none of which were prac-
ticable.
Il should try the old lady again."
urged one of his friends; make a clean
breast Of everything and work upon her
feelings"
"She has monet" returned Jack rue
fully. Her venerable heart is insen-
sitive to tender emotions"
Il suppose o haven't concealed
what a serious fix you are In" sug
gested another.
mo. AT least l put my position to
her as plainly as l dare" said Jack;
but it's no 60"
Wont Isaacs raise the wind?'' sug-
gested somebody.
My dear fellow, the only possible
way l could raise a shilling would be
by pawning my boots, and as they are
not paid for 1 might get into difficulty
ever that said Jack, as he plunged
his hands deeper into his pockets. Be
sides, I've no evidence that I'm named
In her will"
1--WE an idea!' exclaimed his particu-
lar friend, Charlie Bashford. why
don't you volunteer for service in West
Africa?"
Volunteer to catch cholera! No,
thanks" said Jack, making a grimace.
Besides, there is no fighting going on
now, so what would be the use"
There is a terrible deal more dan
ger now than there was during the
war;" remarked Charley sagely.
Yes, but no glory. If l wanted to
exchange, 1 would go to India, but the
fact is I'm past that dodge. My credi-
tors would be down on me directly If
they heard l was off. They are down
On me enough already" he added de-
s~pondently.
What 1 meant was that you might
bamboozle the Old lady. Hang it all,
Jack! She must care for you, or she
would have thrown you over long ago."
said his friend, with charming candor.
Perhaps if she heard you had deter
mined, in desperation to go TO Africa,
at the risk of your life, she might
relent."
well, there's something in that"
said Jack Frightening up. Eat all
events she might give me a check for
an outfit. The worst of it is l don't
want to CO."
Il know a namesake of yours in the
Seventy-eighth. Jack, who is going out
next month, interposed another. IF
the worst came TO the worst, you might
go by proxy"
by jove. l really think that might
be managed" exclaimed Jack eXcitedly.
ut is just possible as Charlie says,
that the old girl woul pay my debts
to keep me in England. If she doesn't,
seeing the other fellows name in the
papers, she will imagine l have gone.
You car easily keep up the joke
by getting your namesake owe there
to post some letters for YOU" chimed in
Charlie B%ashford. IF she doesn't beg
you to return after a week or two,
you can pretend to be laid up with
cholera. That will bring the old lady
up to time, If anything will, but in
case 1t doesn't. you can be ordered
home-See?"
Meanwhile I shall have to keep
quiet. and will go away on sick leave"
added Jack in a great state Of excite
ment. Here give me pen and paper.
I'll fire off a letter at once"
ImpulSiveneSs was one of Jacks fall
ings and or the spur of the moment he
sat down and wrote the following
heartrending epistle:
My Dear Aunt: Your refusal to as
sist me further leaves me no alterna-
tive but to quit my native shores, for
ever. / have volunteered for service
in West Africa, where, as you know,
the cholera is raging. l start on the
second of mex month per p. and O.
steamer Capua, and proceed to join the
Seventy-eighth, which is stationed in
the center OF the most infected district.
1t would be useless to attempt to con-
ceal the fact hat I shall encounter ter
rible risks from the awful disease, but
the desire to serve my country at q
post of real danger is no less an induce
ment to me than the prospect of being
released by the hand of death from my
debts and embarrasSments. / can
scarcely hope from our recent CORE
spondence, that my departure will be
a source of concern TO you. but, at
all events, / will always gratefully re-
member your many kindnesses. My
outfit means a matter of two hundred
pounds, but whether you care to assist
me in getting it is a question which
you alone can decide. Hoping your
rheumatism is better, believe me, your
affectionate nephew. j. l.. Browne"
All the company had a hand in pro-
ducing this masterpiece of composition,
which was universally admired.
The general opinion was that the old
lady would be entirely overcome. Jack
was easily persuaded to indulge in
hopeful ~anticipations, though he had
secret misgivings.
Unfortunately his forebodings turned
out to be well founded. for his aunt did
not attempt to dissuade him from GO
ing.
Her reply was so cold and formal
thai Jack could not help suspecting
that she doubted his good faith, and
more especially as, in consenting to pay
for his outfit, she stipulated that the
bills should be sent to her for settle
ment.