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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (May 10, 1903)
Short Story by Ella Freer in Conkey's Home Journal The Little Tough Sergeant r i - lAC'K, oh, Jaik, please, please, do lukc me with you!" Pretty llttlo Mabel Brownlee had her arms about the ncctk of handsome, stalwart, brown tanned Captain Bertrand, who seemed to be. much annoyed. "I can't take you, Mabel, ranch as I wish you to go. It Isn't to b a picnic. You probably won't Bee a piece of cake, a lady finger, a plate of ice cream or even a good sandwich In the Philippine If you go there and a fellow can't be on the Bring line with Ilia wife with him. The Twen tieth U booked for the firing line, (rood and hard, and you can't be there. Now don't be a little Billy! tie a woman and wait for me, like a true sweetheart as you are." The men of the Twentieth Kansas were ((tormina: the cars at Topeka which were to take them to San Francisco. There, after drill and "Hitting up," they were to set sail for the fur-away Philippines, flood-by eH had been raid, and in a few moments the train would be speeding west ward toward tho Golden Gate. Captain Bertram, eager to see active service, was quivering with excitement, and pretty Mabel, some day to be his wife, wan quite secondary In his thoughts. Again lie Haid: "Don't be a sweet little silly, Mabel! Of course, you can't go with tl.e regiment! Women are not allowed, you know. It wouldn't be the proper thing--you. among such a crowd of rough mar.. Now wait for me, my darling, and we'll be married the very minute the war's over. That won't be long. We'll knock tl Spaniards endwise." As ho spoke his eyes wandered rest lessly over the surging mass of enthuslustlo men, his bright eyes shlnlug and his facn aflame. "What If you should get killeu. Jack?" nsked Mabel, her lips quivering with pain. "I won't be near you, dear, and you'll iie all alone!" "I won't die. Mabel, as long as I have your prayers, my sweet pet; but then, many a better fellow than I ever hepe to be bis gone down." Then, seeing the lines of anguish in her face, he added lightly "But. dear, I can't bo killed. I have a nascot!" The men were in the coaches, the train ready to Btart, and still Mabel bell tier soldier-lover in her arms. "You are setting a bad example, for your nen, f'aptaln Bcrtrsnd!" said a stem voice Uehind them, and as they turned tho old major or Jack's battalion, his face dark an 1 evere, confronted them. "I hope you w!il not lag In action In this way. sir!" Jack's face crimsoned as he saluted hli superior, and hastily prosslng the fair, weeping girl to his heart, he kissed her lipa half a doien times, gathered bis swotd under his arm and ran to the train. Spring ing upon the lower step of the platform, ha was fairly dragged aboard by willing, lusty bauds. Leaning far out from tb platform, be waved his hat to Mabel, who stood fluttering her handkerchief, and soot the cheering regiment was oat o sight. Mabel and Jack bad been sweethearts since early childhood, but her parents would not listen to a marrlngr. When Jack volunteered for the 8pnnlnh-Amerlian war Mabel's father, a stiff-necked, positive oil man. said: "rt's 'he -rrssible thin? Jack ever dnno in his whole darned life." "Ah doun' b'lleve Jack's a cowahd." sild the old man; "but jes' wuthless. Ah fit for foah year lata th' Rebellyum. an' Ah know a tight lu' nun when Ah see him. A hope Jaik'll find seine flghtin'!" "I Just believe you want to git Jae't silled." sobbed Mabel. "Ah want ter see w'at stuff s In 'Ini." Insisted the okl man, stoutly. "Kf he's w'at Ah t'nk lie is. he can have yer. He's (op'lar, case they made 'Irn captain of h's romp ay. aa' Ah re glad no cowdhd nevah come cotln' man daughtah. Ah It foah year fa' th' south, but ef Ah was a' yottnt wan Ah'd fight fer th' flag now." After Jack had gone with his company to Topeka. the state rendezvous, M-. Browutee went around among his friend praising Jack for his manliness, snd sail he was "jes" th" man Ah want fer a sot-la-law; Jaik'll fight!" Jack was not. generally speaking, a young man of nronalse, although populai ; the rjlrls liked him. he .was the leader li ail manly Bpnrts (and mischief, too) bt t lie seemed destined to succeed in noth-Iur. When the government granted Kansat' appeal to raise troops for the SpauUh American war, Jack was among the Brit to volunteer, raised a company, and was elected captain, lie loved a soldier's li'i The aight previous to his departur foi Topeka he called upon Mabel. Illi unlfcrm Iv't off bin mauly proportions, and Mabel was so stirred she could do nothing but kiss and hug him. "Yosb uiil lob m fits yen all right," wea aid man Browalee's only remark, ''but hit depen's wsuthah th' front or th' otUah aide la shown to th' eaemy ! Dao't fergtl that, youag man! Duo' yeah come prow lis' roun' heah any moh If a bullet doa' ait ' yon squah f"m iu front." Mr. Brownies permitted Mabel to go to Topeka (accompanied by Uer mother) to see Jack away, and the old lady eried, too, when the train left. "Shoot straight. Jack!" she shouted at him, "an' don't ketch cold!" "I'll Just give Jack a aurprl.se," said Mnbel to herself, as she lay in her bed that night at the hotel. He'll take me to tho Philippines just the same!" and her mind being mad up, she went smilingly to sleep. When little Mabel once made up her mind she waa as "set" aa ber old father, and the latter knew it. He was glad when Ja,ck volunteered for service fn the army, for be was perfectly aware that, sooner or later, Mabel and Jack would marry, and the old gentleman wanted, a son-in-law who wss "wuth sump'n." Great was Captain Bertrand's surprise when Mabel put in an appearance one day at the camp near the Presido, at San Francisco. She was prettier than ever; she waa so pretty, In fact, that officers and men of the Twentieth made the most ludicrous mistakes In tactics and other things because they couldn't keep their eyes off of her Instead of attending to their military duties. Even old Major Bowers issued an Incorrect order one day, much to the surprise of the regiment and the chagrin of the veteran. "I've come to be married. Jack, and I'm going to the Philippine!!" was the astound ing announcement, delivered calmly. That was all there was to It, and there being bo way out of It, Jack told the major, and the major told the colonel. The major did not neglect to inform the colonel also (whose mind was busy with other things) that Captain Bertrand waa the luckiest dog he ever knew. "It ought to be a regimental wedding, colonel," said the nwjer. "Why?" asked the colonel shortly. "This regiment Isn't a matrimonial bureau." "No other regiment here, colonel, has ever had one," suggested the major, "and we'll beat 'em all out." If there was anything the colonel loved it was to beat the other fellow, whoever he might be, and so he agreed to the plan. The colonel wasn't a man of many words. "Hut bow the devil Is she to get to the Philippines?" asked the colonel suddenly. "Oh. she'll get there somehow." answered the major wisely. "That girl'd marry the czar if she made ber mind up to do it." Then be told the colonel the whole story; how he bud reprimsnded Jack at Topeka. and how the girl bad "showed up at San Francisco," and the colonel laughed until bis Bides were sore. "Go ahead!" said the colonel, plunging into the mass of business before him, and the major, who made himself master of ceremonies, went ahead. It was the most elaborate function of the season In San Francisco, aod more than a mere regi mental affair; for the general officers and their staffs, and the colonel and all his officers, and the regiment and high the high-up society people of the city were there; aod Mabel received presents val uable ones, too from all sides. The regiment gave ber cheers tare times three, and all through the ceremonies (the wedding and the reception) Mabel waa as cool as rose oa a dewy morning, while Jack swore the heat was something tre mendous. "It must be eight thousand In the shade!" said he. Mabel, although now a married woman, had thirteen hundred ardent admirers, bound tightly to her by knots of admira tion, among whom was the first sergeant of Jack's company th Little Tonga Sergeant, tltey called him. O, but be waa tough! There wasn't the slightest doubt of It! He wax wicked, too; ia fact, he was so bad the regiment couldn't cvea take pride In him. This Little Tough Sergeant inspired ter ror among the men, sad commanded re xpect on the part of the officers. He sever lid anything because It was right.' nor re f raised from doing anything because It might be wrong; he exhibited llttl or BO moral sense, but he was a desd shot, quick on the trigger and absolutely devoid of fear. While the Twentieth was being drilled, put ia order aad recruited at Topeka, he slouched into the recruiting office one alt craooo and said he wanted to enlist. The recruiting officer, a veteran of the reg ular army, asked him if he could handle firearms, and be ai-J he could. Could he ride? Yes. Had he ever scooted? Yes. Had he ever been In th raak? Yes. The recruiting officer Jumped at the chaace, aad put the newcomer on the roster. He had fuoght Isdlaas for twenty years, sad rould distingaUh a uui of Ashing breed at a glance. What name th recruit assigned himself dueaa't matter. This is a story cootalaiag sum facts, and the-Basse gives) by the re cruit was doubtless bo fart. He was ssade Brat sergeant of Jack's cosa pa ay. aad whea the asea under hiss lobkej tale hia eyes they coarlaaled to obey say asd every order he chsa to give aod obey it la a hurry. WW a oa doty tltry called hiss "Sevgeaal." aod said "Yea. sir." aad "No. sir.' whea ho pot isooiries to them; when off duty they said nothing to him. whatever, for he waa uoi ia the leant companionable; never joked, never laughed, nor had words with any one. Although bo' was a blonde and a freckled as the firmament oa a clear, sum- mcr night, the men did not call him "Sandy," even to themselves; very thin he wsh, and yet he was never dubbed "Fatty;" low in stature, he was never referred to as "Lengthy." It was feared he might resent those familiar and endearing diminutives common among soldier comrades, and as no man In the regiment could "draw" with him, the Little Tough Sergeant was al lowed to wend his way in peace and quiet. Colonel Funiton was tickled to death when be heard of him. "He'll be a treasure when we get to fighting in the Philip pines!" was the only comment of the llttlu red-headed commander. The angry glance of the Llttlo Tough Sergeant was a death warrant. Mabel was passing a squad bne day, the Little Tough Sergeant being in command. Ho was a thorough disciplinarian, and the "awkward squad" under him was soon re duced to obedient, well-drilled ni' n. Mabel smiled upon the men, and the order was at once given "present arms!" "Thank you," said Mabel, as she parsed along tho line. "May I give you a rose, sergeant?" The Little Tough Sergeant, standing erect and motionless, made no sign, and then Mabel, with her own pretty fingers, pinned the rose upon his breast. When she had passed from sight the drill was resumed. It was whispered about the com pany tents that night that the Little Tough Sergeant was seen to carefully unpin the rose, press It to his lips, and then hide it under his coat. "He's the beet man In the company," said. Jack, "and I'll bet he's the best In tho entire regiment." After that Mabel never failed to smile upon the Little Tough Sergeant when she met htm, and he always stood at "atten tion" as she passed. At last the wt?.ome order to sail for Manila came, and the men of the regiment were in a perfect frenzy of delight. Thero was one sad and heavy little heart, how ever. Mabel knew there waa an order which prohibited women from sailing on the transport. Sorrowful, also, were tho men of Captain Bertrand's company. S.i sweet and dainty a woman as the wife of the captain would be like a bit of sun shine on board during the loug and weary voyage. The day before the regiment sailed Mabel met the Utile Tough Sergeant, and was seen to stop and speak to him. He said nothing, but she was much In earn it through it all. He stood at "attention" a't the time and when they parted he had not said a word. The day the regiment sailed was a mem orable one for San FranelBeo. Down Mar ket street from the Presidio to the wharf the troops marched proudly, Jack at the head of his company. "That fellow'll be a fine mark for some sharp shooter." remarked a gray-beaded spectator in a pitying tone, and many an other looker-cn thought so, too. To Jack's surprise (and relief. also) Mabel did not take the parting so hard a3 he feared. She was tearful, as might have been expected, but not downrast. "You're a brave little one, after all!" he declared, "and I want you to pray for me. Your prayers will do for both of us. I'll be too busy for much else than fighting.'.' "I'll see you again, some of these days. Jack," she said, as she kissed him good bye. "But I'll be brave, as becomes a sol dier's wife, until we meet again, my darl ing." Jack bogged and kissed her heartily and sprang aboard. He turned to wave his hat to her, but she was nowhere to be seen. "Poor sweetheart!" he thought. "I'll bt she's crying ber little eyes out. She bore up before me, but when my back was turned ho Sew to some quiet place to have a good cry. I Just know the did." Probably the transport had traversed 200 miles when strange and startling ronton regarding a stowaway (a woman at that) began to circulate throughout the ship. She was pretty, too, it was said, la spite of her badly-ntttcg uniform. "Ill put up a month's psy I know who . Is It." chuckled the major ia reply to aa Inquiry from the colonel. "Well, out with it! Who ia "lie?" de manded the colonel, half laughing, half In dignant. "If it's aobody. colunel. It's that little wife of Captain IVrtrand!" "It won't be so funny when I get thrcugh with him!" remarked the cole net unpleas antly. Captain Bertrsisd was ordered to appear sefor the colonel, and he straightway obeyed. Oa hi way to the colonel's eba a great light broke in upon him. "Mabel said she'd see me before long," he mused. "asd 1 ws a big fool aot to know what ah meant. I'm no match for h-r! Shs's the stoosway. as sure aa I'm ci this boat." "We have a woosaa oa board," remarked the eotaateL ' "So I hove heard, eolonef," he answered respectfully. "Any Jdea, alio she may be?" aiked the colonel, with a barely perceptible talnkle lu his eye. 'Til risk my life that it's my wife!" Jack bursts out. "And of course you didn't have any notion she was on board, eh?" "On my honor, colonel, I did not!" "Well," the colonel went on to sny, "knowing what a fearless little thing she Is, I believe, with you, she's the stowaway. Let us find out." The little stowaway, accompanied by the Little Tough Sergeant, was brought to the colonel's cabin, and lo! It was Mabel. Blushing, crying and happy, she ran Into Jack's arm, and stood looking defiantly at the colonel and the major. The rumor that her clothes didn't fit her was very much of a fact, while her beautiful hair, having broken loose from Its moorings, flowed in long ripples down her bark. "Orders regarding women on board army transports are rigid!" said the colonel, endeavoring to be very stern. He then began turnlig over several sheets of paper relating to supplies, munitions of war and ether th!:;;; regarding stowaways on army transports. "She can't remain here." "I want to die with you. Jack," she whis pered; "let's ask the colonel to throw us overboard together!" "What's that?" demanded the colonel. "No whispering here." "We want to be thrown overboard to gether, if you please, colonel!" faltered Mabel. "There Is nothing In the orde' justifying me In throwing your husband ovetbotrd, madam," rejoined the colonel, "but I don't see anything else to do with you." "I am compelled to obey the orders of the colonel, Mabel." said Jack, "and he las ordered me to go with him to Manila. I'm needed, you know. The regiment can't af ford to lose a captain!" There was a burst of laughter from Ihi colonel and the major, and Mabel knew the matter was settled tlrtit overboard sha was not to go. "If I had a wife liVe that," growled the major. "I d " "That isn't the question," Interpoeed tho colonel, "what nrc we to do with Mrs. IUrtrand?" ' If you please, sir," the major said, "the regulations permit women as nurses upon transports, and " "I think the matter may be compromised la some way." tbc colonel asserted re flectively, and to Mabel went through to Manila with the regiment. The men were dinloycl to their country in being loyal only to Mabel; the rules and regulations went ailril't; the sailors were looking at her when they should have been attending to their duties; aul it was a wonder the transport didn't run into a continent or something before ii reached its destina tion. Mabel went ashore in great state, several warships in the harbor firing big guns at her, but there were no courts martial over the matter. "Now tell me, hoto6tly, M1." said Jack the night of the discovery, "whr put you on board this transport?" "Ho won't get into trouble, will he?' queried Mabel. "He's apt to." "Why, I wouldn't get tho Little Tough Sergeant Into " "Oh, he's the one. is he?" "I didn't say It was, if you please, sir! Tou won't speak to him about It, will you, Jack?" Mabel pleaded. "No-o," answered Judt renVetlvtly. "I won't. The regiment might loae a captain after all." When the regiment entered upon duty In Luzon the prophecy of the colonel that the Little Tough Sergeant would prove a "treasure" wti fulfilled. Nothing seemed to tire him: be was. apparently, on duty all day and night; he hungered anl thiis oi for no place but the very front of (ho firing line; whatever be could e h could hit, and he could spot a Filipino s far as his rifle carried. Whenever hi Krag Jor geasen spoke it meant business. There was not a man In th: brig.ulo ski could gt a wagon and tram out of the mud like ti Ultle Tough Sergeant. He even put life into the torpid Luxon.te oxen. Each one is slower than two snsi'.s, slrnag as Atlas and ranch disclined to any sort of exertion. Whenever a wagon be came firmly rcoted In the mud they sent for the Liitle Tough Sergeant, whrse in fluence over animals was untually s'.roog wonderful, in fact. As soon as he openr.l up. each individual ox seemed Imbued with elee.lric life, and it Is said the records of the Twentieth Kansas show that on un usually hot day a double, team of oxen not only pulled a wagon loaded with ammu oi'icn out of the deepest rut in the miriest rort of all Luxon, but pulled the rut out . also, clear up on the dry land. The Little Tough Sergeant waa the mules' delight. These usually obstinate creatures would break their backs for him. They love a bus who knows what be is talking about, although they hsve ssull ear for ordinary oratory. And they never failed to appreciate what ihs Little Tough ierrer( had t ir. Busy enough were th men of the Twen tieth in Luxon. When it was possible Jack too a run to Manila, h"re Mabel was. but this was not often. One day the LittM Tough Sergeant being with him, he told Mabel he was to take a, small scoulii g