The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-04

Taken Prisonoe.
(By Donald Allen

The third brigade of the state
troops was holding its annual en-
campment at Ferndale. A portion of
two farms had been rented and the
white tents were pitched to make
long streets and the soldiers seemed
to be scattered over the face Of the
earth.
One of the farmers who had leased
his fields was MI. Willets. He had
known for a month when the SOL
| diers would arrive. and there had
been much talk in the family. To
Miss Bessie. the eighteen-year-old
daughter. 1t promised to be season
| of romance.
There would be tall soldier boys
and short ones.
There would be blue eyes and black
ones.
At least one out Of three would be
q hero and ready to rescue her IL the
red calf broke his rope.
There would be knights who would
dof their plumed hats to her, and
chevaliers who would gently ask II
she were q damsel in distress and Of
fer to die in her service IL she were.
While the grounds surrounding
the house were to be held inviolate.
this agreement held good only with
the rank and file with q taste for to-
matoes, cucumbers. lettuce and cab
bage. There was nothing whatever
to prevent the commander of the bril-
gade or any Of his colonies or majors
from calling at the house to say to
MT. Willets:
'Sir, but have seen thy daughter
Bessie looking over the fence that
guards the onion beds, and 1 have
been SO overcome by the beauty OF
her face and the grace OF her figure
that have come to ask thy fatherly
permission to pay her my devoirs."
And Pa Willets would reply: NO
BILE sir, have q piece of green apple
pie and a glass Of last years cider.
and then win my daughters maiden
heart If thou canst."
And then she would be won and
wed and live in love and romance
forever after.
It was a beautiful dream. but the
days passed and the officer came not.
Dozens OF them passed and rOpaSSed
| the house as they made their way to
the town and back. and Miss Bessie
| was there looking over the fence ac-
cording to schedule, but none paused
to address her.
It was q long week before the chew
alier made his appearance. and the
damsels patience had been so sorely
tried that she was out Of temper.
She was half asleep in her hammock
on the side veranda overlooking the
garden when q. suspicious noise
aroused her. As she sat up a soldier
dropped from the fence among the
| vegetables and began to help himself.
"Here-what does this meant
The soldier looked up to find the
girl within five feet Of him
"Ex-excuse me!' he stammered as
| he blushed guilty.
HAS my father given you permits
sion?"
NO."
lust helping Yourself. eh7"
'T thought-thought-
Eyes. you thought?'
| II thought these things looked
good to me, ana had seen any one
around the house to ask I should
have offered to pay for them.''
II don't think you looked for any
one!"
They looked into each others eyes.
and the girl said to herself:
Ties not a bad-looking young
man. Evidently holds a good position
in civil life. I believe they call It
'gobbling' when they help themselves
az he was about to do, and they don't
consider 1t as anything serious. Guess
have humilfated him enough"
| And Burt Hamilton, assistant man
ager of q bank when at home. but as
yet only high private in the rear
rank when wearing q uniform. said
| to himself:
| Shaving looking girl. Quite llnd
I've made. After camp breaks M
I'm going to find some excuse to call
Wouldn't be surprised II 1 fell In love.
I'm feeling symptoms Of it right
now"
| Miss Bessie was looking him stead
| lily in the face. and her eyes flashed
and her cheeks burned as she read
his thoughts In judicial tones she
demanded: "Sir, when one is caught