The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-19

Y INDIVIDUALLY the Gang consisted or
 tho Captain the Aid de Camp Cor, to \ use the Gangs less conventional pro nunciation. the Aid the KampD and one private; for the Captain had thought 1t well to have a military system of or ganization. The Captain and the Aid de Camp had each seen the fullness Of Il summers. The Private had experienced only nine.
 The Gangs ultimate destination was to be the Indian country, stronghold Of SIX Shooter Sam, the most recklessly daring, elusory bandit in the Territory and the Captains most adored hero to whom the Captain intended offering the Gangs ser vices and swear fealty.
 For to state the situation simply but thrillingly, the Gang was running away No more would they be daily incarce- rated in that abhorred institution erected by grown-ups for the torture of the young commonly called school house. No more would they bow in galling SUD- mission to orders to do the chores, re- duce the woodpile hoe the potatoes, ct cetera, commanded by Daternal tyrants, who 'seemed to think cause they hap pened to be born fathers to ther klds they could make them do all the Work while they sat around down town ana didn't do thing but talk-and boss as the Captain declared indignantly to the Aid de Camp.
 They had been on their triumphant course for several hours, having made most successful getaway, and the day was not well into the afternoon.
 The Captain, his shoulders majesticaiiy back and his stomach out sat imposing
 ,1i.x ffx-r 1of h11rT known dignifiedly as William. The mount was a source of much dissatisfaction to him. however He felt that by virtue or his rank the steed occupied by the rest of the Gang, horse, should 1e ms. but William forcibly though briefly obJeet- ed to carrying double, and the Gang funds had been sufficient to purchase but one equine, so he had resolved that to ride en solitaire on the burro with it's proud caparison of saddle which lacked only it's horn, oadding and one stlrrup would be more seemly than to share the finer mount with one of his men.
 At present the Captain was lost in his ambitious dreams. But with Prlvate bill osborne things were not well. He had never been on horseback more than ten minutes in all his life before that day He had ridden IA miles since morning. without saddle or blanket. Although ne was a fat little boy, he was, to say the least, very unhappy. The horse was tall. staturesaue steed, with an air or austere melancholy and backbone that knew no dissmulation The captain had christened her Oklahoma Belle, after local race track favorite. Oklahoma Belle had passed into the Gangs posses sion from that of a nomadic horse trader for the consideration of $2.75 and to do the Gangs business acumen 1ustlce' It must be said that she was worth the money. The Captain felt superlatively proud of the purchase. The Aid de Camp, though he was not what you could call an equestrian and Belle's long ears con stunned him with terror, nevertheless was thrilled because she was his mount. But Private Bill, who shared her seating ca pacity with the Aid de Camp, had re- garded Belle with antagonism from the outset. In her usual pace, one of great deliberateness, her long, uncertainty iointed limbs worked with a stilt-like movement that gave him the hlccousns and crick in his side; whenever she indulged in burst of speed she trotteo in way that jared his very soul.
 I'm a-goin' to set sideways" he an-. nounced defiantly; "Ive got to-" Deter minedly he drew up chubby leg. Wltn conduct scarcely sanctioned by military etiquette as that becoming an officer and a gentleman, his frightened superior gave him a gouge in the ribs with his elbow that made his eyes water.
 Nav, you aint, no such stuff. Git it back there. Whatd I tell you bout scrougin round! First thing you're goin' to pull us both off," declared the aid de camp wrathfully.
 Anguishedly the private resettled to his old posture. Well, I don't care if you are an aid-the-kamp, he snuffled; I guess if you was as stiff and near wored through as I am you couldn't set still neither You've got all the gunny-sack under you, n she ain't near so poor up where you are neither,'' he reproached. Then appealingly, eff you kids'd go slow enough sos could keep up I'd get off m walk while
 Hearing his snuffles, the captain, on ahead, refined in his mount. He assumed a high military pose. He addressed ms staff. "Aid-the-kamp," he began grandly- then paused, searching for beseeming interrogatory "Aid-the- 1amp, what ailest our-our man behind thou?'
 The "aid-the kamp' shifted miserapiy in his seat. He was utterly at loss for becoming reply.
 LAW, he got foxy, n l punched him one" he explained desperately.
 LAW, he keeps a-jabbin me all the time" protested the indignant private. ..He won't let me move ner nothin'.'
 The captain regarded them aggrievedly. ..You kids don't do it right at all.' he