A SOLDIER'S TRIAL
An Episode of the Canteen Crusade
by
GENERAL CHARLES KING
Author of "A Daughter of the Sioux," "Comrades in Arms," "The Medal of Honor," Etc.
New York The Hobart Company 1905
Copyright, 1905, by the Hobart Company
Brig.-Gen. Frederick D. Grant, U.S.A., says: "It is distressing that the prosperity of the keepers of vile resorts is due to the activity of good and worthy though misguided citizens, who have succeeded in abolishing the canteen in the army."
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I. TWO ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHAPTER II. A FACE FROM THE PHILIPPINES
CHAPTER III. A NIGHT AT NAPLES
CHAPTER IV. "SHE IS COMING HERE!"
CHAPTER V. PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS
CHAPTER VI. A BRIDE--AND A BEAU
CHAPTER VII. THE WOLF IN THE SHEEPFOLD
CHAPTER VIII. ACCUSING LETTERS
CHAPTER IX. AN INVITATION--TO GO
CHAPTER X. A GATHERING STORM
CHAPTER XI. DEEPER IN THE TOILS
CHAPTER XII. WHAT THE WOMEN TOLD THE MAJOR
CHAPTER XIII. WORST DEED OF HIS LIFE
CHAPTER XIV. REACTION
CHAPTER XV. RETRIBUTION
CHAPTER XVI. MY LADY'S MAID
CHAPTER XVII. A MOMENTOUS DAY
CHAPTER XVIII. BLENKE COVERS HIS TRACKS
CHAPTER XIX. AGAIN THE SALOON
CHAPTER XX. A MOTHER'S DREAD
CHAPTER XXI. LOVE'S LAST APPEAL
CHAPTER XXII. THE LOST FOUND
CHAPTER XXIII. A WELCOME PERIL
CHAPTER XXIV. CRISIS
CHAPTER XXV. BLACK WOLF'S BATTLE
CHAPTER XXVI. TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION
CHAPTER XXVII. EXEUNT OMNES
A SOLDIER'S TRIAL
CHAPTER I
TWO ANNOUNCEMENTS
The war with Spain was at an end, and so were the hopes and aspirations of many a warrior. For several reasons Colonel Ray of the ----th Kentucky was a disappointed man. One of the best
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: A Soldier's Trial by Charles King
- 2: Curly headed Kentucky light horseman
- 3: Priscilla proved assuredly glad
- 4: For Miss Sanford was energy personified in petticoats
- 5: Ranch boy Sandy loves me
- 6: They the Farrells may winter in 'Frisco
- 7: The Wellands nearly cried their eyes out when Oswald
- 8: Dwight made little Jim his friend
- 9: In the presence of Inez Farrell
- 10: Had come from Father in law Farrell
- 11: No one but the Wellands was permitted to know
- 12: Who had been bending over Inez
- 13: It was full fifteen minutes before Captain Dwight appeared
- 14: The tenente wished not to disturb them
- 15: Dwight and the captain join them
- 16: He Foster should assume paternal rights
- 17: Then Foster saw what Sandy Ray was looking for
- 18: Sandy had come to them at Minneconjou to recuperate
- 19: Children love being catechized as little as do their elders
- 20: They can't drink more than is good for them
- 21: Priscilla could have listened with becoming modesty
- 22: Priscilla met her martial friends and pupils
- 23: If what Priscilla wants are sinners she's got 'em
- 24: And so it resulted that Blenke
- 25: They saw Blenke standing at their gate
- 26: Dwight the measurements of the rooms
- 27: Dwight is looking remarkably well
- 28: Blenke faced about and bolted another
- 29: But Major Dwight writes me that
- 30: Blenke had no occupation or right on the upper deck
- 31: But Dwight haplessly stumbled on
- 32: And precipitated himself on Dwight
- 33: Pris though there might have been then
- 34: Was Blenke one of the two you spoke of
- 35: No one ever heard Truscott swear
- 36: Dwight was not much given to walking
- 37: All Minneconjou was a unit on that head
- 38: But Minneconjou had not a few devout church people
- 39: A dour and unsocial Scot was McPherson
- 40: Minneconjou had now a garrison of some eight hundred men
- 41: Colonel Stone sent for Sandy Ray
- 42: Miss Sanford responded vaguely
- 43: Priscilla mounting slowly to her room
- 44: Blenke was becoming odd and nervous
- 45: Matters here at Minneconjou matters in far away Mexico
- 46: Sweeny served with him seven years ago
- 47: Wallen was just coming forth and calling cheerily to them
- 48: Dwight going to ride the other
- 49: Who is so abstemious and conscientious
- 50: Which Dwight solemnly received and read
- 51: She'll be six behind by the time she strikes Minneconjou
- 52: Lucky Dwight isn't a drinking man
- 53: Skirting for a mile or so the south bank of the Minneconjou
- 54: Schmitz told a straightforward tale
- 55: They had gone to Corporal Clancy to see for themselves
- 56: Minneconjou had breathed freer
- 57: Priscilla had been so very silent
- 58: Dwight puzzled over her apparent unbelief
- 59: To be called Mademoiselle rather than Felicie
- 60: Dwight did not question his boy about his new mamma
- 61: The next moment Dwight was gone
- 62: But Felicie had found no inapt pupil
- 63: As Dwight thrust the boy through the gate
- 64: Led him unresisting away to her little home
- 65: Lately visiting friends at Minneconjou
- 66: Wallen vainly preaching self control and moderation
- 67: Whereat Felicie had proclaimed him
- 68: And Priscilla had declined all conversation on the subject
- 69: Sandy Ray's story was told in utter sincerity
- 70: The officer of the day and the adjutant
- 71: After the warriors had dealt by Crook as they did by Custer
- 72: Matters at Minneconjou speedily became bad as ever
- 73: Blenke was supposed to be spending all Tuesday
- 74: And Blenke hastened thither in partial disguise
- 75: Dwight and her inseparable companion
- 76: All Minneconjou believed in her sincerity
- 77: For Blenke kept his own counsel
- 78: To the end that he stumbled on the sentry unchallenged
- 79: Felicie had gone so far as to admit
- 80: Dwight stopped at the door for Miss Sanford
- 81: Ever think of her and all Minneconjou knew Mrs
- 82: With Priscilla in complete control of both reins
- 83: Skidmore gave Blenke Scotch ale
- 84: Dwight were certainly estranged
- 85: It was characteristic of Oswald Dwight
- 86: Had increased alarmingly since the closing of the Canteen
- 87: Until it dawned upon Stone that Skid and Silver Hill
- 88: The country about Minneconjou was very open
- 89: Though she had tricked and affronted him
- 90: And knowing well how Hogan disapproved of him
- 91: Eager to answer the faintest call
- 92: And Felicie was white with rage
- 93: After hearing that Wallen had been there
- 94: And that then surely meant Sandy
- 95: Felicie wished Madame to do something
- 96: Felicie came again to say Madame was recalcitrant
- 97: Blenke was a man of parts and played them
- 98: The promenade walk and the wide parade
- 99: With its fair charioteer and her black browed companion
- 100: Inez had no use for folded arms
- 101: She knew when the phaeton came
- 102: And Priscilla stepped quietly from the room
- 103: Read the order that had brought Sandy Ray to Minneconjou
- 104: That Priscilla began to realize how
- 105: For Minneconjou had been every bit as flighty
- 106: To offset this was the statement of Sergeant Hess
- 107: Employing the lieutenant and his troopers for the purpose
- 108: Up the southward slope beyond the Minneconjou
- 109: Skelton in turn had felled the Indian assailant
- 110: So long would Ray spare the torch
- 111: And echoing back from the crags of Warrior Bluff
- 112: The yelling braves were circling the agency
- 113: Open the corral gates and get back
- 114: And with trembling lips and mournful eyes Blenke began
- 115: A warrior was hurled to the plain
- 116: And Sweeny was shrieking new delight and encouragement
- 117: And Dwight and the squadron as well
- 118: Blenke being safe lodged within the post
- 119: And as he and Priscilla leaned eagerly forward
- 120: Felicie shrank at the announcement
- 121: He had known Blenke as much as a year
- 122: That Blenke was the real culprit
- 123: Was told in metropolitan circles by Felicie
- 124: The major remained not long at Minneconjou
- 125: And excursions to Nagasaki and Yokohama