The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-01-15

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Brown" which was probably the
twentieth time the easy old captain
bad given Booty just one chance
more" SO Mr.. B. came away smiling
and determined to be the best
dressed man in our outfit. Drawing
new pair of riding boots from the
quartermaster department, he
bought two bottles of Boston shoe
polish, using one Immediately on his
boots before he left the post and
taking the other along on his trip.
The troops made camp near Lin
coin lark. 1t was cold frosty
night in November, and the boys had
Sibley stove in each tent. Only
stable guard was posted and soon
after taps Booty" came in our tent
built up a good fire, making all the
noise he could doing it. then rolled
into bed, boots, spurs. belt and all.
Pretty soon his side partner let
yell out of him that was heard all
over the camp. Brown! for heav-
ems sake get out of bed and take
your spurs off, you are killing me. ,
But Booty" was lost to the world
and never budged all night except
to use his spurs on his bunkie." "
Booty was out promptly at reveille,
looking spick and span. The cap
tain wauted to know who was doing
all the yelling after taps. Smith
explained matters and Booty"
was at once instructed to take
his boots off at bed time, and espe-
cially his spurs.
The Burned Boots
The next nigh, we Camped at 63d
st. and Cottage Grove ave. at the
race track which was our permanent
camp. Booty" came in late as
usual. but he remembered the cap
tain's sarcastic remarks about his
boots. He took them off lit candle
brushed and polished them nicely
for use in the morning placing them
against the stove. Force of habit
probably made him build big fire
in the stove and then he turned in.
In his dreams, he drove the crack
quartette of blacks around the ring
and modestly stood while the Queen
placed wreath of Ivy upon his no.
ble head. Then as bugle screamed
I can't get them up in the morn
ing Booty" came to earth and
sprang for his precious boots.
Good Lord boys lookn' was his ex-
clamation-we looked-it was sad
sight. Boozy's" boots were burn
ed off clear down to the soles, only
small triangular piece of twisted
leather remained sticking up in
front. By cutting holes in that piece
and putting strings through, he man.
aged to tie them SO they would
keep on his feet. After stables and
mess call the captain happened to
see Booty" near the mess tent.
1t was good test of military disci-
pline when the captain said: Brown
come here-what in HI has hap
pened to your boots?" Now, when
the lieutenants cannot keep straight
face it could hardly be expected
that the men would refrain from
laughing openly. Booty" ex-
planned how it ali happened and
when through the captain said:
You are fine looking specimen of
a soldier am proud of you-yes,
all the troop is proud of you. |
think I'll get you stall at the Col |
osseum and put you on exhibition |
all by yourself. | can't allow you
to associate with the troop in that
garb." BIS detected looks and down
cast appearance was too much for
the captains gravity and he turned
away without telling B. he could
have another chance.
"Boozy" could not drill but
don't think for one moment
he intended to miss the exciting
spectacle of which he was former
ly a part. Oh. no: He borrowed
the cooks boots and after the troop
left the camp for the Colosseum,
Booty followed on the street car
and while we were drilling he
was part of the audience taking it
all in; but careful to keep out of
sight of our captain" ;"
SO endeth the tale of Booty"
Brown and his boots