The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-16
"Iaking it Cool"
BY SOLITAIRE.


we presume, will dispute its present
civilized state-a number of the more
excitable and adventurous young Off
GERS of our gallant army were station
ed at council Bluff, to guard the from.
tier from the incursions Of the wild and
then powerful tribes which roamed in
that immediate neighborhood. In their
isolated position they had III lie TO des-
troy the monotony of life, except an
occasional march to check some tribe
which was warming into hostility, or
in inventing and playing off tricks upon
each other. 1t mattered not how out
rageous, or dangerous, orridiculous any
devilment practiced upon one officer
by another should be, they never for
once grew angry, but the victim mere
ly set his wits to work, to if possible,
surpass his own case by a retort on his
adversary. A Lieutenant who was
partlclarIy good atthese practical jokes,
because his dlgnlded and cool manner
made him less suspected than his COM
rades, had played off one upon bro tn
er Lieutenant who had delightful lisp.
A short time after, al an evening card
party in his quarters, the dIgnified joker
was expatiating several officers, among
them his lisping victim, how very be-
coming it was for man. under all cir.
cumstances to keep cool and remark
ed, moreover, that in his own case it
was a constitutional habit, IN the face
Of the most threatening consequences,
TO retain nerve which deiied surprise.
The advantage of such temperament
was eniarged upon, the chances it af-
torded of escape from danger partcu-
larly pointed out, and a general assent
given to its great value in the posses.
sion ola military man.
"Well Jim" inquired hislisping friend
show would you 10 thopothe Il thell
with ar inch tuthee thould drop itthelf
into high walled angle in which you
had taken ,heter from a company of
tharp thooterth, and where it wath ther.
tain if you poked out your nothe you'd
get peppered?
"How?' said the other, winklng at
the circle, "why take it cool, and spit an
the tuSee"
"Yeth tha,h true" answered the lisp.
ing Lieutenant, apparently perfectly
satisfied; and another wink travelled
around the circle OF optics.
The party broke up, and all retired
for the hight, except the patrols, who
continued their round, as we believe
they generally do on military posts, un-
til morning goes into fragments, when
the air of hustle and activity began
again its hum in the barracks. The
soldiers were passing from their sever
ID quarters, and soon there was a num-
Der gathered upon the parade. Pres
emily several officers assembled, and
were talking in cluster, when along
came the lisping Lieutenant; he looked
at the group and Immediately, passed
into the qnarters Of his dIgnlfed friend,
who was still in bed.
".Ah, is that you, Charly?' said the
sleepy Lieutenant, laziIy opening his
eyes.
a"Yeth, Jim said the lisper, 81 want
TO try an experiment lhith morning, anu
thee how d-n cool you can be!' say
ing which he walked deliberately up
to the fire burning upon the hearth, and
placed in its hottest centre a powder
canister! and instantly retreated.
There was but one mode of egress
from the quarters, and that was upon
the parade ground-the rear beng built
up Tor defence against attack. The
occupant took one glance at the fire,
saw the canister, and comprehendng
his situation IN Il moment, he dashed at
the door, bat his friend had it fast on
the outside.
-rr"CharIey, let me out if you love me-"
shouted the occupant of the quarters.
"Thpit on The canlther, JIM" shout
ed he in return.
Not a moment was to be lost-he
had at first snatched up blanket TO
cover his egress, but now dropping it
he raised the window and out lie bounc-
Ell = SagS culottes, sans everything, but
q very short under garment; and thus,
with hair almost on an end, he dashed
ii pom a full parade ground. The shout