The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1910-03-25
TOO SMART,
BY HARRY c. ERNEST.

much effort and exposure-entered the
mess room, unlocked his saber. stood
1t in corner, took a seat ut the table
and called for servant to bring him
some refreshment. The captain was
caterer Of the mess. and very eff
cient caterer. When luncheon had
been set before him he asked of the
servant who placed 1t there:
Julius, did you order the supplies%'
'Yes, sar."
ANY one been to my quarters to see
me todayY
"Major Leadbeater. He was here to
see you this mawEin', sar."
Ibid he say why he called?'
mo, sar; he didn't say nothin' bout
what he wanted to see you TO-. sar.
but it must "a been somepin very par
ticular, TO he waited some time 70
you, sar.'
WAITED, did he?"
Eyes, sar; he waited in the room out
thar"
How long did he waltz"
'Must "a been bout half an hour,
snr."
"Half an hour! What did he do with
himself all that time?"
well, sar, dunno what he did
with hisself all de time. but once
when was goin' past de winder out
side looked in here in de mess room,
and l sor him measurin' de legs of de
mess table,"
"What!'
The captain was about to put a
piece of meat into his mouth. but he
stopped his fork few Inches from his
chin and stared ut the darby.
HE was measurin' de legs OBJ de
table, sar."
"What with?"
"a yaller tapeline."
The captain laid down his knife
and fork, leaned back in his chair, put
his hands I'm his pockets puckered up
his lips and gave low whistle
There was no change in his position
for full ten minutes. when without re-
gard to his unfinished luncheon he
arose from the table. took up his
sword, hat and coat and left the mess
room. Going over to the officers club.
he found several men playing billiards
and then and there entered into secret
conference with them. The results of
that conference will appear later
A few days after this Captain Bald
win strolled over to the quarters of
the infantry, where he met Major
Leadbeater.
Hello, major" he said. Heard
you were over to my quarters the 9TH
er day. Sorry wasn't there. Any
thing special?"
"Oh, no! was around your way
with nothing to do and thought
might as well drop I'M
well, try again. BY the bye, can't
you dine at our mess some evening
this weekY'
II don't mind"
At the dinner the officers comprising
the mess were present to man. Dur
ing the coffee and the smoking. when
oil were feeling comfortable after
good meal and plenty of wine. Major
Leadbcater, who was great hand at
making odd wagers. asked one Of the
officers how high he thought the clock
was from the floor. The officer named
height, whereupon Leadbeater Of
fered to bet him small sum that 1t
was certain other figure. The bet
was taken, and Leadbeater lost. Sew
eral other similar bets were made by
those present, when Leadbeater pro-
posed pool as to the height Of the
table at which they were sitting.
| There was no difficulty in getting
the officers into the pool. Indeed. ev-
cry man took the chance allotted him.
Then Leadbeater made number Of
side bets. He had come to the dinner
after having cashed his pay accounts
In advance and had plenty of money.
The figure he named was three feet
two and one-eighth inches. The other
figures named ranged from three feet
and three-quarter inches to three feet
one and a quarter inches.
When the bets were all made the
colonel and the chaplain came in to-
gether-jus to smoke cigar with the
/ youngsters-and the colonel, knowing
Of the pool, asked to be permitted to
take chance. But the chances were
all taken, SO he asked IL any one
would make side bet with him.
Leadbeater remarked that he would
were 1t not that all his ready cash
was staked. The colonel offered to ac-
cept his l. O. u. In lieu Of stake,
and Leadbeater took him for $50. The
chaplain, too, remarked that he had
never made a bet before in his life.
but he wouldn't mind taking some
thing on his guess. But no one would
make any side bets with him.
When the funds had all been put in
the Shareholders hands the quarter
master was called. on to measure the
height Of the table. Procuring tape
line, he proceeded with the work
amid suppressed excitement and many
glances at one another among those
whose money was at risk, Finally.
with his thumb on point In the tape
indicating the tables height, he held
the tape up to the light and an
nounced:
rhree feet one ana a quarter
inches!'
There's 4 mistake there!" cried
!. Leadbeater and checked himself.
Measure It yourself, : said the quar-
4 termaster s3
Il Leadbeater took the tape, made the
measurement and turned pale.
I've lost, !" he said M calmly as was