Trooper Tales — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

The Degeneration of Laddie. 53 “Dear Captain—My chief regret in taking this step is that I do so while the features of Kruger, the Hoosier child, are still intact. Ifa dirty word is written next to my name in the troop books, it is because there is no al- ternative. I believe that it is the desire of those above me to omit my name from roll calls. “I make no rash promises about being dead when re- taken, if any such unfortunate circumstance should oc- cur. I could not wait for a legitimate discharge, because the vermin here have got me bluffed. And besides, I am afraid of the noisome la viruella (smallpox). My fellow convict was taken away with it this morning. He was quite a gentleman, by the way. “Pure Castilians walk through my apartments with their noses in a sling. They walk through rapidly. I have not that privilege. I did not consult the worthy Porto Rican policia before leaving. Had I done so they would probably have wished.me godspeed. “I have enjoyed the service. I have met some right royal good fellows. I have not the space nor the com- mand of English to write concerning some others. I have several sore toes, and a painful remembrance of the Manati fords. I hate to face my mother. “Here’s looking at you all. I do this with no rum in my brain. May you all serve your thirty years and live happily ever afterwards in the soldiers’ home, and may I reach God’s country “.efore I’m twenty-one. “Lovingly, LADDIE.” Eomicdooks: co