The Arvada enterprise., 1920-01-08

sseeeeeseeeeeeessePa eeeeasseeeeeeee
| more pretenttous structure occupied
BY the ondcess Of the garrison.
A number q soldiers OF duty were
lettering In front Of the barracks,
while . small group Of officers occu-
pied chairs on the log porch Of their
quarters, enjoying the warmth Of the
sun. greeted these a. passed. con-
scious that their eyes followed me Gu
riously ~ I approached the comman-
dant's once. Major Bliss glanced up
at my entrance. with deeps eyes
hidden beneath bushy gray eyebrows,
his smooth-shaven face appearing al
most youthful In contrast with q
wealth Of gray hair.
How long have you been here at
Armstrong. lieutenantr he ques-
toned, toying with an oflicial-looking
paper In his hands.
"Only about three weeks, DIR. I
came north o. the Enterprise. with
dispatches from 0ensral Gaines"
II remember; you belong to the
Fifth. and without orders, I promptly
dragooned you into garrison servicqA
His eyes laughed. "Only sorry I e.
not hold you any longer. It seems you
have an application pending for fur
lough."
Yes, SIR"
1T 10 my pleasure to inform you
that It has been granted sixty days,
with permission to proceed east. There
has been considerable delay evidently
In locating you"
A sudden vision arose before mo of
ny mothers face and Of the old home
among the hills a. I took the paper
from his extended hands and glanced
at the printed and written lines.
The date 10 Q month ago"
That need not trouble you. KhoE
The furiough begins with this deliv.
cry. However. a. I shall require Jour
services a. far - st. Louis, ! shall
date this acceptance from tie timo Of
your arrival there"
(which 10 very kind, DIR"
mot at all. You have proves II
considerable assistance here. ana I
shall part from you with regret !
have letters for Governor Ozark Of
Missouri and Governor Reynolds Of
Illinois: also one to General Atkinson
at Jefferson barracks, detailing my
views On the present Indian situation.
These are conndsntial. and hesitate
to intrust thom b tie regular mail
service. I had intended sending them
down river In charge Of noncommis-
stoned o6lcer. but shall now utilize
your services instead-that 10 II you
are willing to assume their carer.
Every gladly. Of course"
II thought a. much. Each Of tAese
% to b delivered In person. Captain
Throckmorton informs mo that he will
BE- prepared 10 depart within ~ hour.
You can be ready In that timer
smiled.
"In much lea have little with
me but . Geld hit, Or. L WIN not ~
quirs leog - pack that"
Then return here at The first whistle
and the letters viii b. ready for you.
That viii b all now. Travel - .
civilian II you p,sase. lieutenant, but
I suggest II viii b well to wear the
uniform Of your rank when you deliver
the letters"
Fifteen minutss suniced 10 gather
together an my belongings and
change from blue into gay. and. % !
emefged from quarters, the oncers
- thA ~av~S~on Nnak~A ahossH snn> ~vath
words Of eonsEatulation and innu.
merable questions. Universal envy Of
my good fortune WAS evideat. but this
assumed no unpleasant form. although
much was said to express their BE-
lief In my early return.
shook hands all around. and left
them. Fastening across the parade 10
the ONCE. Ten minutes later I crossed
the gangplank and put foot for the
hrst time on the deck Of the Warrior.
Evidently the crew had been await.
ing my arrival to push of. for instant.
~ the whistle shrieked again. and i'm
mediately after the boat began 10
churn its way out into the river cur
rent. with bow pointing down stream.
Throckmoeton leaned out from the
open window Of the pilot house and
hailed me.
put your dunaass In the third
cabin. Knox-hefs. you. Sam. lay hold
and help"
II was nothing to boast Of. that
third cabin. being . mere hole. meas
urins possibly about four feet BY
seven. but sualcisnt for sleeping quar-.
tiers, and was reasonably clean. Il
failed. however. IN attractiveness suf.
ncient to keep me below. and % soon
a. had deposited my bag and In.
duiged In Q somewhat eaptious scru.
tiny Of the bedding vasy willingly re.
turned to the outside and ciambered
! up q steep ladder TO the upper deck.
| Judge Beaucaire was standing at the
low rail. Our eyes mst inquiringiy.
and b bowed with all Tie ceremony
q the old school.