The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-02-11

He learned little from them ex-
cept the general layout of the
reservation, but, adopting an at
t itude of stupid pestiferouSness,
he followed them to the head
quarters of the Forty-fourth OBJ
servation squadron.
He stayed there for two days,
doing odd jobs for the cook, un-
til the officer in charge spotted
him.
Chase that bum off the res
ervation!" the captain ordered.
So J-540 proceeded to f1rehouse
station No. 3.
A hard-faced man stood out
side the fire station, and on the
principle that appearances are de-
ceiving, J-54O approached him
with sad story. He needed a
sewing kit to patch his pants,
J-540 said. Could he get one
around there?
The hard-faced one, Tim Conk-
lin, got him a needle and some
thread from another soldier, Al
BickfOrd.
While he was waiting, J-540 got
into conversation with a group of
the men, who found the supposed
tramp's news of the outside world
interesting.
Il suppose I'll have to be sign
ing up again." J-540 said. But I
don't like work, and there isn't
any excitement in the service
these days"
Conklin laughed.
Join the quartermaster's corps
and you'll get plenty of excite
ment," he said, winking at Bick-
ford. I'VE sure do"
Il suppose you cali this excite
ment, sitting around doing moth
ing"
Hell, no. When we want to
have some fun we get one of the
fire trucks out"
EOR several days J-540 tried
u unsuccessfully to obtain a job
with the civilian department of
the quartermaster corps. He
learned there was deep jealousy
between the various fire units and
that No. 3 had the best and
foctoct oo,,iyoy,oa,,f
One afternoon Conklin was off
duty. He and J-540 picked up g
ride to Lawton, where J-540 found
a money order from his folks
back home"
Lets have party to celebrate"
he suggested.
Conklin located two other men
stationed at the fire house, Cor
poral Gasway and Private Carey,
and J-540 took them to a movie
and dinner. In Lawton that was
the nearest possible approach to a
party. When the movie was over
and they had drunk coffee there
was nothing apparently left but
to turn in for the night.
AS they stood on a street corner
Conklin whispered something to
Corporal Gasway. a six-footer
known for his brutal treatment of
underlings.
Il don't care if he has got
money Gasway said aloud. Il
don't trust him. I think he's a
government mani"
J-540 whirled around.
Just what do you mean by
that?" he demanded.
ZONE on, now, fellows, don't
~ let's break up in fight in
terposed Conklin Il know he's all
right. Corporal. If he gives us the
money for the gasoline, he'll be
in it with us, and he won't dare
talk"
This pacified Gasway.
We'll show you a real party,
pal" he said. Just tag along with
I me.
We'll have the biggest party
we've ever had, tonight"
J-540 knew he meant they were
going to try to blow up the dyna-
mite storehouse.
He must get in touch with the
major general at once. The major
general had been notified by mail
that an agent was at Fort Sill in
vestigating. and specially selected
officers and men awaited J-540's
call. But would he be able to tele-
phone the major-g general?
At the stroke of midnight, j.
$40 entered an old barn near the
edge of the reservation. in COM
pany with Gasway, Conklin, and
Carey.
Carey" the Corporal said, cts
your job to make the rounds for
the fire signals and telephon
boxes and put them out of COM
/ mission.
I'VE don't want to be called out
before the fire gets under way
especially tonight. We've got a
lot of gasoline, thanks to our new
pal.
SSSSssSsSSSSsSssssSsSS
Fletcher Ave. Sa