In Barracks and Wigwam — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

64 — Linn Saves His New Friend. of this sort are awkward sometimes. You remember Mr. Pickwick’s adventure, don’t you? I’m glad you're not an old lady with curl papers.”’ “So am I,” assented Linn, with a laugh. The other laughed, too, and for a moment he stood looking at Linn in a friendly manner. “I must be off,” he said. “I’m afraid I’ve interrupted your reading. I see you have a copy of the New York Weekly there. Have you read the Nick Carter story?” “I just finished that one,’’ replied Linn. “It’s splen- did.”’ “So itis. I-read them every week. And what-do you | think of Nick Carter and his methods? Do you believe they are practicable and possible for a real detective?” “I haven't thought much about it,” said Linn. “But if I were Nick Carter, and you had come to consult me, [ think I should say that you were a-soldier.” “What makes you think so?” asked the visitor, with a smile. | “Your stiff and straight walk,” Linn answered, “and _ the way you carry yourself. But, of course, I would be _ wrong, for you have no uniform 4s “Soldiers don’t wear their uniforms all the time,” in- terrupted the stranger, ‘In fact, I am a soldier—Lieu- tenant Percy Dimsdale, at your service. I have been out »- of West Point for two years, and am on my way home to Maryland for a short furlough. [ stopped off in Har- _risburg to see a friend.” Linn looked with admiration and envy at the young officer, and he suddenly became aware that his old long- ing for a soldier’s life was still strong and keen within him. - He shrank with horror and distaste from the career — which he had so lately planned for himself—the drudgery | and toil of a clerk in some Western town. > ‘ am very glad to have made yore acquaintance, rape | , com cb ooks.c om < Y * - “ j * ~~ i “. ah ‘ ~~ - ' oe ; i es . ¢ wise B >t - ‘ . hes ~~ ‘ t a ~ if ¥ if By, Pee b> Bre Pape A 2 a q te Wl a a ee i ee. ote Ae ede Re eT cd? Sia Be 5 ye — aes WEL =