elcome to the
regiment" was given by each of them with outstretched hands.

Major Wilhelm said, "The ambulance is right here; you must come to our
house and stay until you get your quarters."

Such was my introduction to the army--and to the army ambulance, in
which I was destined to travel so many miles.

Four lively mules and a soldier driver brought us soon to the post,
and Mrs. Wilhelm welcomed us to her pleasant and comfortable-looking
quarters.

I had never seen an army post in America. I had always lived in places
which needed no garrison, and the army, except in Germany, was an
unknown quantity to me.

Fort Russell was a large post, and the garrison consisted of many
companies of cavalry and infantry. It was all new and strange to me.

Soon after luncheon, Jack said to Major Wilhelm, "Well, now, I must go
and look for quarters: what's the prospect?"

"You will have to turn some one out," said the Major, as they left the
house together.

About an hour afterwards they returned, and Jack said, "Well, I have
turned out Lynch; but," he added, "as his wife and child are away, I do
not believe he'll care very much."

"Oh," said I, "I'm so sorry to have to turn anybody out!"

The Major and his wife smiled, and the former remarked, "You must not
have too much sympathy: it's the custom of the service--it's always
done--by virtue of rank. They'll hate you for doing it, but if you
don't do it they'll not respect you. After you've been turned out once
yourself, you will not mind turning others out."

The following morning I drove over to Cheyenne with Mrs. Wilhelm, and
as I passed Lieutenant Lynch's quarters and saw soldiers removing
Mrs. Lynch's lares and penates, in the shape of a sewing machine,
lamp-shades, and other home-like things, I turned away in pity that such
customs could exist in our service.

To me, who had lived my life in the house in which I was born, moving
was a thing to be dreaded.

But Mrs. Wilhelm comforted me, and assured me it was not such a serious
matter after all. Army women were accustomed to it, she said.

CHAPTER III. ARMY HOUSE-KEEPING

Not knowing before I left home just what was needed for house-keeping in
the army, and being able to gather only vague ideas on the subject from
Jack, who declared that his quarters were furnished admirably, I
had taken out with me but few articles in addition to the silver and
linen-chests.

I began to have serious doubts on the subje