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Uncle Sam's Boys with Pershing's Troops / Or, Dick Prescott at Grips with the Boche

Uncle Sam's Boys with Pershing's Troops / Or, Dick Prescott at Grips with the Boche

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Chapter 1 THE FILIPINO DANDY

Word Count: 4004    |    Released on: 01/12/2017

t last, Noll," declared Ser

ed young Sergeant

nly the more seriou

ient, and the way that this part of the world charms men and holds them. Now, that we are here on the spot, I begi

e," remarked Sergeant Terry, of the

t yet," insiste

des, all we've seen is Manila, and certainly Manila can't be more than one

torted Sergeant Hal. "Don't be a grouch or a knocker, Noll. Own up that you wouldn't start

"I want to see a lot more of these Philippin

" went on enthusiastic Sergeant Hal. "Try to

n little home city," laug

fferent from anything that the two

e capital north of the little river is called. South of the river is Old Manila, the walled city of the old days o

pa barracks at Malate. It was in the newer Manila that th

y other part of the world. The whole of this crooked, winding thoroughfare see

English capital and a Spanish name; down near the water front is the Hotel de Paris, a place famous for the good dinners of the East. Further up the Escolta, just

f the whites or the wealthier natives ever think of walking more than a block or two. The quilez, the little two-wheeled car drawn by a six-hundred-pound pony, is the comm

rmy officer or orderly appeared on horseback in the crush of the street. If he attempted to ride at

ces was subdued. In the heat of the Escolta the people of all colors seem to have

ing, with the exception of here and there a natty, nervous, little brown man who appeared in the more formal black frock coat. But few, ev

d cheerful, even happy. Life is not taken too seriously in the Orient. The nativ

long the Escolta-were abundantly patronized, yet none save the cocheros per

ver the two boyish young sergeants did. He invariably kept about a hundred feet behind them

, but the individuals who make up the life there seem never in a hurry-the man who was

about whom there were some points that would

tribes that make up the peoples of these islands. The Tagalos are the tribe most frequently found in and around Manila, and in the provinces nearest

enerally hold degrees from Philippine colleges. Well-to-do Tagalos, despite their undersized stature and dark-brown skins, affect all the culture-and the vices-of well-to-do white people. They conduct banks, engag

ting, well-tailored white duck garments. The blouse was buttoned down in front, a military, braided white collar standing up stiffly, rendering the wearing of a shirt unnecessary. On his feet were highly polished

d to be close to thirty-five years of age, ridiculous to American eyes was his mustache. This was blue-black in color, waxed to

s. "They are young, ambitious; they are enlisted men, therefore poor. Even in this short time these boys must have learned the craving for the things that money alone will buy. No man, in the Orient, can escape that knowledge and that longing for money. That is why it is so easy

ndal and other valued woods, inlaid with pearl, or studded with rare jades. Here are wonderful creations carved out of ivory, idols of all kinds and sizes, of the highest grades of artistic workmanship. Here are wonderful beaded portieres and the most costly of curious Chinese garments for wom

pricing and sighing. Each young Army boy wanted to send home something wort

een, to enlist in the Regular Army. Our readers followed the new recruits to the recruit rendezvous, where the young men received their first drillings in the art of being a soldier. From there they followed Hal and Noll westward, to Fort Clowdry, in the Colorado mountains,

ld life and outpost duty, and scouting duty as well, as they are actually taught in the Army. In this volume is told also how Hal and Noll while out with a scouting party supplied their company with unexpected bear meat. Our readers, too, will remember the thril

ilitary tournament in which a battalion of "Ours" took part at Denver, and the all but tragic results of that tournament; the soldier h

antry in Manila, stationed there briefly pen

m two years older than when they first enlisted-but many years ol

h. Truthful, ambitious, manly, thoroughly trained and capable of command

ed States Army done for Hal Overton and Nol

eyed, trailing Filipino dandy had already singled

g and disgracing simple-hearted, true-souled young fellows. Not e

ed fellow of long training, k

ast, after the two young sergeants had made t

orth while that didn't take a sergea

ey?" murmured Overton. "Yet I want to send

fancy most?

on your mind, come around an

and sandal woods. It was richly, wonderfully carved, the darker teakwood being also inlaid with pearl. Inside were compart

ther fo' plecious stones, jewels, y

her'd be the proudest woman in town if I could s

pesos," stated the

h about forty-seven cents; but two pesos and an Ameri

the same price you asked me before,

same; him pl

nt Hal. But the Chinaman, as t

kee? Yo

ford it at

aman politely, and glided over to where another possi

ong in Manila?" inquired a low, pleasant, c

t smiling, prosperous-looking native was employing his left ha

ere long," Hal smiled.

w to bargain with these sha

ot," said Ser

?or, what you

x," Hal

r it, if I may make bold enough to

ndred dollars in go

dy inspected the

o (very dear), in fact. It could be bought for less, if you

n, if you would tell me how

ox, se?or, for ninety dollars, gold-even

pay," murmured Hal, shaking his head regretful

gh struck suddenly by an idea. "Not if th

ed Sergeant Hal, regarding the little b

ightly with a pride that was plain-"I am not exactly a poor man, not since the Americanos came to these islands and gave us the blessings of liberty and just government. I have many business ventures, and one of them lies in my being a sec

f it?" demanded Serg

our very kind acceptance. And your friend-he shall select anythi

mothers that they sought suitable-priced curios. In their amazement, however,

of course, though it is very kind of you to make the o

He was still smiling, but there was now something s

ot accept gifts

ave things here; you must have money to spend, and

t present my health is excellent. As for

life soon becomes bitter. You do not know, but I do, for I have watched thousands of your Americano soldiers here. Now, I have money-too much! It is my whim to see that the soldados enjoy themselves. I have begged many a soldier to honor me by

ino made almost extravagant gestures. A

l a victoria

replied Serge

you say it!" cried the little Fili

ered manner. From a feeling of embarrassment over having to repulse a stranger's ill-advised off

hispered. "We'll get out of t

ell as I do," mutt

e dandy, who, with hand extended, was at that moment s

ed the little brown tempter. "Just a

e you," smiled

," cried the Filipino, as Hal and N

d enjoy yourself,

pino was in front of t

to stop a carriage," h

you will enjoy yourself. Step asid

not going wit

t," Hal answered, "and we h

himself in front of the young sergeant, Hal gen

il the two Army boys were out of sight. T

hat fellow want of us?" d

in that fashion. He may represent a bad phase of life out here. Let's forget hi

l. For his first present home each young soldier had bought for his mother a small

n the Escolta. "Let's walk across the bridge over the Pasig. We'll b

lightning beginning to flash, for this was in

oking up at the dark sky. "I don't fancy the idea

s force. Tropical thunder crashed with a fury that made artillery

geant Hal, breaking into a fast run. "There'

sentry-box, that had once been erected for the convenience of the native boys

t in a storm, Hal and Noll bolted inside j

-a minute later they made fun of me to my face-me, Vicente Tomba! But I shall know th

e two Army boys stepped briskly inside

in," remarke

man of forty, in the usual immaculate white

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