Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1906-05-31
The Chaplain 5 Night Off.
BY j. L. KEsroR,.

Copyright, 1906, by Daily Story Pub. Coz
Bert" Robertson and Dusty" Bush
were the closest chums in the college.
They roomed together, ate together,
studied togther, fought for each other
and were altogether considered as one.
| But after graduation each went his
several way and ultimately Bert devel-
oped into Herbert H. Robertson, at
jtorney-at-law, while Dusty" was
TRANSPORTED into 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
ed good fellowship, as became a rising
attorney and lobbyist, the Rev. Bush
frightened 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 converged again when,
4 in answer to the thunder and smoke
and fire in which the Maine went down
in Havana harbcr, the call went forth
from Washington for troops to avenge
the crime and teach manners to the
dons. Both men turned up in the state
camp as officers in the same hastily
lmprovised regiment. Bush had gone
In as chaplain, while Robertson, ever
eager for action and adventure, had,
through his political associations, Sc
cured 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 to shrink into cor
ner, and learned that he was unprovid-
ed for as to quarters, he carried him off
to 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 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
through with that sort of thing"
Then he added, But go along. I'm
no crank
They sat amid their memories and
"reminiscences until far into the night,
renewing the old comradeship and
starting new one.
All this would have been very we'll
had it not been for the Rev. Bush's
carelessness and Major Robertson's
haste and the difference in their char
acters.
| What happened was this: The Rev.
Augustus Bush, being very devotedly
In love with charming maiden, de-
vout daughter of the church, as we'll as
l
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.
II am at the Chalmers, on Fifth
street, where | 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 few moments
later was surveying himself with some
complacency 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 went
gaily forth to his sweetheart-andh his
| doom.
| oh, most unfortunate of clergymen,
most laundering Of men, what have
you done? Snatched up Major Robert
sons uniform by mistake Alas! 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
dove into his dress uniform also Gas 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 half
dozen young fellows from the city were
awaiting him-and he was overdue.
Besides, 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
Robertson went for wild night at
the club with the shepherds crooks on
his collar. With the chaplain it made
no difference, as the ladies were not
conversant with the intricacies of mil
lttary heraldry, and the gold leaves
looked as prim and sedate as the shep-
herds crooks would have appeared.
But with Major Robertson 1t was
Inherent. He burst into the club like
! cyclone, tired and dry from his duties
IL 4 49, ~ ~. = t..