Adventure Magazine Cover, June 20, 1925 — page 23: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A Sergeant uniform off the floor and between one thing and another, I get my belt pulled and that’s the end of it, only of course the frogs go and report that a Yank gives a cheer for the Kaiser, and the major puts two and two together, and knows —— well I was out with this squarehead and started the riot.” “Well, what the —— did you do all this foolishness for? You sound like a kid! Why, you’re crazier than a locoed jughead! If you wantéd to get busted, why didn’t you resign?” “YT didn’t want to get busted. I wanted to get promoted.” ‘“‘Promoted!’’ “Yeh, promoted. I aim to get a com- mission out of this scrap and it’s time I was after it.” “Well, you would ’a’ got one at Platts- burg if you hadn’t gone givin’ your opin- ion on them sheep-herdin’ jaspers they called reserve officers. You wouldn’t ex- pect to get a commission after tellin’ a bunch o’ millionaires they wouldn’t make a pimple ona good soldier’s nose, would 99 “That ain’t here nor there. I want to get me a commission now and the first step was to get tried. I didn’t aim to get jerrys and frogs lockin’ horns; I just wanted to get tried and broke, and then I’d be about gettin’ me a pair o’ longery pins to wear on my shoulders.” At this Oley looked fixedly at his com- panion for a moment and then, having made up his mind, he drew his pistol, removed the magazine and threw the shells out of the chamber. “There,” said he emphatically, “you won’t blow your conk off with my gun! [Pm goin’ to march you to the doc! You ain’t right in your head.” The door opened with a bang. “Sergeant Colburn,” called a voice. “Yo!”’ answered the sergeant. ‘“‘What’s on the mind?” He beheld the person of his first sergeant advancing upon him. “T got your sentence, you crazy loon,” said the first sergeant, ‘ hard liquor alone when you’re on guard, ‘kid. You won’t never come as_ near hangin’ again and get away with it. The frogs been bellowin’ for your life, accordin’ to the sergeant major. Yuh —— fool! What the did yuh take that square- ‘you want to leave. of Cavalry 5 head out the camp for? A man could get a stretch in Leavenworth for doin’ less than that!” “Well, what did I get? Kind of sudden with the sentence, aren’t they?” “They made it sudden especial. First off, findings guilty. Sentence, to be re- duced to the grade of private, to be confined for six months, and to forfeit two-thirds of a month’s pay for a like period. It’s to be read at retreat tonight, but you’re gettin’ a special announcement. “How does he get that way?” gasped Colburn weakly. “ fool!” said the first sergeant again. “Ain’t you got no savvy? A man’ with your service, too, to go outta camp when on guard and take a prisoner of war with you, in a Yank uniform. If they could have: proved it on you, you’d done a stretch, I ain’t kiddin’ yuh. If they’d found that bird in Shupps’ uniform, you’d been a walkin’ D target.” . !? gasped the two sergeants. “Wait till I read the rest of it,” said the first sergeant. ‘If I was born ‘with your luck I’d been John D. instead of wearin’ a diamond in this dizzy troop. ‘Such por- tion of the sentence as relates to confine- ment and forfeiture of pay is hereby Te- mitted. Per order.’ ” “Oh, man!” cried the two. !” yelled Colburn. “TI was groggy for a minute. All I could see was your old buddy making little ones outta big ones till next winter.”’ “Wait,” said the top. ‘‘ ‘Special Orders, number steenth, extract! The followin’ named enlisted men are hereby transferred “Oh, man!” to the Fourth Provisional Replacement Company, July Replacement Draft: Pri- vate Nelson Colburn, Troop A, 18th Caval- ry. Per Order.’ ” “Huhe” said Colburn. outfit?” “Tt’s right here in this camp!” barked the first sergeant, “‘an’ it leaves in about two hours for the front! Get your stuff ready and I'll take you over.’ Here he sat weakly down upon a bunk, all his rage gone from him. “Nell,” said the top, “how’s chances on swappin’ jobs? You be the top and Ill go up to the front in your place. I’m so sick of soldierin’ in this hole I could “Where’s that 99 cry. ; | “Say, what do you hombres think I went MICLOOOK CO