In Barracks and Wigwam — page 131: what you’re looking at

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

Linn Meets an Old Friend. — Earn cloud. What was your reason ?—not the latter, 171! war- ante oe} ) | | ti “T left home because my father unjustly ordered me away,” replied Linn, feeling his face grow hot. “It was a cruel affair all through, and I don’t care to speak of it: But I had done nothing wrong or disgraceful—nothing that I need be ashamed of. I give you my word of honor on that. The truth will come out some day, and then | will tell you the whole story.” “I believe you, Osborne,” said Lieutenant Dimsdale. “Your face is evidence enough. I was sure of it from the first, but I thought it would be wise to mention the matter. When a man enlists under a cloud, and works his way up, - it is likely to go hard with him if the truth is ever dis- covered. I’ve known cases of that kind. More than one eood officer has gone to smash because of a blot on his early life. In these days, you see, the army is mighty particular about character.” This view of the matter had not occurred to Linn be- fore, and for a moment he could not speak. It frightened him to think that he might be recognized and exposed some day, when he had climbed high on the ladder of promotion, and that he might not be able to prove his t- nocence. But he rallied from the depression instantly, and consoled himself by the assurance that he had done no wrong, and therefore had nothing to fear. “My worst mistake was leaving home,” he said, after a pause. “TI first intended to go West and look for a posi- tion of some sort. But I had always wanted to be a sol- dier, and after my talk with you [ decided to enlist.” ce aa 8 thought so,” replied Lieutenant Dimsdale, with a daugh and a shrug of his shoulders. ‘My friends tell me — I talk too much, Osborne, and I believe they are right. j _ Had I known you were thinking of enlisting T would have been as mum as an oyster about the army. But I’m Comicbooks.com