Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1913-12-25

when you realize that war is coming
coming as sure as guns. and then
consider our unpreparedness for lit
makes you glad it's Spain and not
someone else"
Il think the navy's pretty fit. sir"
ventured Holton.
"Ah. the navyi And the ARMY"
The words came out like bullets. The
navy is all right, and the army. too.
what there is of it. The fighting men
of both arms of the service are the
best this world ever saw: getting
things started. that is the trouble.
Well. thank Heaven. Dewey's-" the
assistant secretary stopped short. and
c~raning his neck forward. character
istically thrust his square jaw close
to the officers face. We've all got to
do the best we can and be sure that
when the blow comes it will come
from. and not toward us"
Holton nodded slightly.
Il liked your action in diving over
board and rescuing two of your men
last summer" resumed Mr.. Roosevelt.
And | may say that a study OF your
record has convinced me that just at
present a little respite from duties
aboard the Scorpion will accrue to our
mutual advantage"
The assistant secretary paused. and
then as Holton made no reply, he con-
tinued:
We are not yet at war with Spain
not yet, and in the meantime | think
1t will be just as we'll for you to re-
main in fairly close touch with my Of
five-personal touch. By the way.
there's a ball at the willard tonight"
"A BALI" exclaimed Holton. Then
he caught himself. Yes. sir" he add
ed.
Yes, a ball at the Willard. Here Is
a card-you1l note it is a personal in.
vitation to you"
Holton glanced at it.
Il see it. sir" He hesitated. Il am
merely, merely to go there and
dance? l mean-mean. sir. are there
any Instructions"
81 should keep my eyes n ears
open if l were you"
Yes. sir. I'll do that. and hope I'll
be able to be Of some service" he was
rising to go. "Although-although I'm
afraid l lack-that is, and" Holton
paused and glanced irresolutely at his
chief.
That you lack definite information"
said the assistant secretary. who seem
ed to have the faculty OF reading his
thoughts and expressing them before
Holton himself could frame them in
suitable. or, we'll say. diplomatic
terms.
Why. yes. sir-I have a feeling that
the situation is indefinite"
Yes. Sit down, Mr.. Holton." Hol.
ton resumed his chair and his chief
leaned forward, talking rapidly In a
low tone.
Here is the nub OF the situation"
he began. I'm the first place we have
reason, excellent reasons for suspect
ing that there are certain elements
among the Cubans, both in the United
States and in Havana, that are strong.
ly inclined to doubt the good faith of
the United States in this brewing trou-
BILE with Spain"
Holton, thrilled by the promise OF
revelations which these opening words
conveyed, thrilled. also, by his Undue
ton into the inner affairs of he gov
eminent mill. flushed and regarded the
eyeglasses turned toward him. with
unblinking eyes, impatient for the next
word.
Naturally" continued Mr.. Roose-
yelt.' the Cubans are eager to avail
themselves of our armed forces afioat
and ashore. but after the work Is all
done they want US to clear out. Which.
OF course, we shall do. having first es.
tablished some decent n stable sys.
TEN OF government down there"
L had not any Idea our good faith
was In question" observed Holton.
1T is." was the reply, and II ia