United labor bulletin., 1913-11-01
IN THE LINE OF DUTY
BY C. N. oLMsTEAp.

In the long ago days, when trans,
continental travel by steam was pass
( Ing from the dream of the visionary
regular army was called into service
to protect engineers and laborers from
the curiosity and malice of the red
men, who viewed the invasion of men
and instruments across their hunting
grounds with uncertain feelings.
Among the officers Lieutenant Jack
Harrison was easily most popular; the
construction corps also had nothing
but good words for his easy comrade-
ship and unselfish sharing of burdens
which did not belong to the routine of
his life at all. So when. finding him
self a days gallop from the county
which was the home of the girl left
behind me-" Mr. Harrison asked for
leave to drop behind for a brief call,
his request was cheerfully granted by
his colonel. Back on time came Lieu
tenant Jack, and to the amusement OF
all, perched on his saddle bow rode a
beribboned puff-ball of a doggie; a dog
for lady's lap, oddly contrasting with
his rough surroundings. 1t seemed the
girl" had thrown her pet up to Jack
at the moment of parting, he had al
ready given his horse a jab to be un-
der way, and the wild notion came to
him-her dog would soft-pedal some of
the ache in his heart.
Close to its new master kept the
dog. shared his blanket and his food
also the masculine fingers tried to do
things to the mat of curled hair and
the ribbon about the little neck. But
crossing the desert. the water became
very scarce. 1t was easier to push on
than to turn back, scant allowance
I was served the men. none for the dog;
but Jack gave up his limited supply,
in spite of protest from the men, for
the comfort of his dumb pet. A change
came over the one-time lively Jack,
hardly explained by the misfortune
others were bearing without whim-
per. He became moody, slipping of
with his dog to look at the cool stars
and suck bullets to help quench his
thirst. Mercifully, water was soon
found. but Jack did not brighten. in
fact, his eyes became more bloodshot,
his face more haggard. Lying face
down in the white glare of the desert
moon. a still little form huddled mo-
tionless under a nearby sage-brush,
fellow-officer found Mr.. Harrison late
on the day the water was come upon
What is it, Harrison?" brought an
swer in strangIed tones. Her dog bit
me, and / cannot bear to look at water,
yet l am dying for taste of it"
With an arm about the resisting
Harrison the chum pushed back to
their joint tents Tumbling the con-
tents out of a kit until he found sill
yer cup, trophy of the running track at
West Point, he stuffed a handkerchief
into it to deaden the noise and filled it
to the brim with the now abundant
water. One moment he pressed the
goblet to Harrison's lips. who clutched
it and tried to drink. the next. the
silver was crushed in his hand like a
cup of paper and thrown from him.
No use, can't" groaned the stricken
officer.
There's no hope. old friend. The
poor little beast bit me; it was mad
from thirst and heat / killed it to
save the others, now must be killed
also. It's the only way. II you will
not fix it up for me with a bullet, I
will have to do it myself. Dear old
man. you wouldn't make a murderer
of me. would you? II / am shot by
the squad it's just in the line of duty
my duty and the others. It's the only
way. For the sake OF all. it must be
done and at once"
There was no moodiness about Har-
rison at the crisis, but his friend was
utterly stricken.
AS the sun threw its advance guard
of rosy banners over the eastern hori-
zon they reflected on the calm, proud
face of Harrison facing the squad os
his men A small black square over
his heart showed the purpose of the
tableau. The breeze of early morning
gently stirred his hair. his eyes turned
a moment toward the sky bending
over the valley and her he would new
er see again. But quickly returning
to the stricken faces. and shaking the
hands OF those who nervously fingered
the guns they at that moment hated.
he tried to comfort the hopeless band.
boys, piease 10 not Ininu- am
glad to die before hurt any of you. l
know the poison is running through
me now. God bless you. Don't tell her
anything but that l died trying to
save-don't remember anything but
that you are saving me from a hide
Gus end"
Three times the officer in command
tried to give the word three times he
failed. Harrison. refusing a scarf for
his eyes, raised them to the flag hang
ing dejectedly where a nerveless hand
q had failed to raise it above half-mast.
When the sun burst in splendor
overhead. a hero lay dead with q
-,rnira nm his uhtta Tins