The Dickinson press., 1910-04-30
roo SMRI
b. 4 c. ERNEST.

-- @t.sgtsfA
b. HARRY c. ERNEST.
Eopyright. 1910. by American Press Assoc
ciation.1
Captain, Andrew Baldwin of the
cavalry, tired and hungry-hs had
1een. engaged in dnty involving
much effort and exposure---entered the
mess room. unlocked. IL .saber, stood
Tin. a corner, took q seat ct the. table
eaud called Tor q. seryantsst 20 bring him
fgcma re{reshnaent. The captain. was,
caterer tof. the mess; and a very EN-
Client caterer. When i luncheon had
been set before him he asked Of the
servant who placed it there:
Julius. did you order the supplies?"
sXes,rsar."
aAnrty one been to my quarters to see
me ;todayT"
Major Leadbeater. He was here to
see you this mawnin', sar."
did 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 TO-
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,
sar.""
"Half an hour! What did he do with
himself all that time"
-'Well, sar, l dunno what he did
with hisself all de time, but once
when I was goin' past de winder out
side I looked in here in de mess room.
and I 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 a few inches from his
chin and stared at the darky.
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 in his pockets, puckered up
his lips and gave a 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
4~1 %txo,, .,r1 .<hnuo o,,foroS into enouok
conference with them. The results OF
that conference will appear later.
A few days after this Captain Bald:
win strollcl owe to the quarters of
the Infantry. where be met Major
Lealbeuter.
"Hello. major!!" he said. Heard
you were ever to my quarters the 9th,
thing special:"
ooh, no! l was around your way
with, nothing to do and thought ]
might:sas u.s. we'll drop in."" m, =, r. =
"Vell; try again: BY the bye, can,
you dine ut our mess some evening
this week.
IT don't mind" 4 sa
~ AZ tAO u4AACt N1V OA4SOAS SOAAPA :
the mess were present to a man. Dur
ing the coffee and the smoking, when
all were feeling comfortable after q
good meal and plenty. Of wine. Major
Leadbeater, who was q, great hand al
making odd wagers, asked n OF the
officers how: high he thought the CLOCK
was from the floor. The officer named
a height, whereupon Leadbeater Of
fered to bet him q small sum that II
was a certain other figure. The bel
was taken, and Leadbeater lost. Sew
eral other similar bets were made BY
those present, when. Leadbeater pro
posed a pool as to the height Of thu
table at which they were sitting.
There was no difficulty in getting
the officers into the pool. Indeed, ey
cry man took the chance allotted him
Then Leadbeater made a number O.
side bets. he had come to the dinner
after having cashed his pay account
in advance and had plenty Of money
The figure he named was three fee
two and one-eighth inches. The othe
figures named ranged from three fee
and three-quarter inches to three fee
one and a quarter inches.
When the bets were all made tn
colonel and the chaplain came in to
gether-just to smoke a cigar with tn
yopngsters-and the colonel, knowing
Of the pool, asked to be permitted t
take a chance. But the chances wer
all taken, SO he asked If any on
would make a side bet with hin
Leadbeater remarked that he woul,
were 1t not that all his ready casl
was staked. The colonel offered to &C
cept his !. o. q. in lieu Of a stake
and Iteadheater t0nk him for $40 Th