Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1910-04-15
TOO SMART,
Rx HARRY c. ERNEST.

cavalry. tired and hungry-he had
been engaged in duty involving
much effort and eXposure-entered the
mess room, unlocked his saber, stood
it in Il corner, took Il seat at 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 it there:
Julius. did you order the supplies"
''Yes. Slr.
"Any one been to my quarters to see
me today?"
"Major Leadbcater. He was here to
see you this mawnin', sar."
Ibid he say why lie 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!
"AIust "a been bout half an hour,
sar"
"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
piece of meat into his mouth. but he
stopped his fork Il few inches from his
chin and stared at the darby.
'IIe 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
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. l was around your way
with nothing to do and thought
might as we'll drop in
well, try again. BY the bye. cant
you dine ut our mess some evening
this week!''
Il don't mind
At the dinner the officers comprising
the mess were present to man. Dur
ing the coffee and the smoking. when
all were feeling comfortable after a
good meal and plenty of wine. Major
Leadbcater. who was n great hand at
making odd wagers. asked one Of The
officers how high lie thought the clocl
was from the floor. The officer named
a height. whercupon Leadbeater of
fered to bet him a small sum that il
was certain other figure. The be-
was taken. and I.eadbcater lost. Sew
cral other similar bets were made by
those present. when Leadbeater pro
posed a pool as to the height of til,
table at which they were sitting
There was no difficulty in gettins
the officers into the pool. Indeed. CIV
cry man took the chance allotted him
Then I.eadbeater made n number o
after having cashed his pay account
in advance and had plenty of money
The figure lie named was three fee
two and one-eighth inches. The othe
figures named ranged from three fes
and threc-quarter inches to three fec
one and a quarter inches.
When the bets We're all made til
colonel and the chaplain came in II
gether-just to smoke a cigar with til
youngsters-and the colonel. KNOWN
of the pool. asked to be permitted I
take q chance. But the chances wei
all taken. so he asked if any or
would make a side bet with hin
Lcadbeatcr remarked that he woul
We're it not that all his ready cas-
was stakcd. The colonel offered to Il
cept his l. o. y. in lieu Of a stalk
and Lcadbcater took him for $50 III
chaplain. too. remarked that he In
never made Il bet before in his lif
but lie wouldn't mind taking som
thing on his guess. But no one wou
make any side bets with him.
When the funds had all been put
the Shareholders hands the quartz
master wls called On to measure ii
height Of the table Procuring tan
line. he proceeded With the wo
amid suppressed excitement and MAJ
chances at one another among tho