The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-08-27
MARRYING IN THE ARMY.
a brighter side or the Picture.
IRON our Army aud Navy Edition.

From our Army aud Navy Edition
There is commoner and more genial side
to garrison life than that portrayed by the interesting
article, Marrying in the Army" Barring tho
unavoidable savings, 50 which is slightly mythical
the Young Lieutenant ~ could be no bettor de.
crlbed lie must always remain a paipabie fasclna.
ton. But George isan Inconsistent and shabby rop-
resentatlve OF him. An oficer and gentleman would
have, on discovering Intentions IS barred the dlsa-
grceable facts existing at his post II for no other
reason than q love-test Moreover the onicer and
gentleman would never have whispered into tho car Of
uusophsilcated bride that dsgraceful sycophancv
90 we must keen In with the H. 81 etc ~ In listening
TO him she took her ntiaory step In the art OF wire
pulling. The sergeanrs daughter, as m onlcer's
Wife san anomaly Some Of our best oflcers come
from the ranks and prove amenablc to tho law OF
military etiquette, social and professional as do their
brotlcrc from civil life and West Point
The social lines have ever been drawn closely between
onicer and enlisted man recall an Instance bear
ing upon this which quite impressed mo ut the time
At small post In tho West we all noticed serious.
faced fine looking soldier, with manner superior to
our commanding onlcer. Ills wife was educated,
refined good looklnghs child bright, vol dressed,
aud well bred At distance from tho barracks they
lived In small house, whose every available corner
YVES nllcd with hot.house plants pretty pictures and
good books wctc also In the cottage; and report said
they were relatives VI the great mogul, Gen. s. But
these good people, though kindly and politely recog-
nized were not equaied socially Mysterious majors
wife In these days OF rapid and easy ttansporta-
tion, by rail aud catalogue, OF frequent e leaves OF
absences home, - and In view OF the eyer-rp-
curling necessity OF the articles mentioned why did
she not procure 'picklo-castor and "Thompson
wave, - which should be her own | have met but
one major wife untitled toI her position. She COM
manded temporarily, appropriated tho Q. NJ. de-
partment, especially the ambulnnces never so much
looked lputpunutsa VII Ieba n
cotton-vevet dress. Her husband was placid
faced graduate OF the academy who carried his wife's
grievances Into onclal business. I know no Mrs.
k, with her slang and the froe use OF the onicers
last names. But did know a Mrs ", from Washing
ton, whose behavior was equally as repreheusible
She was bride very pretty and very stylish Putting
ON pair OF fresh gloves purchased for the occasion
and restricting my small store of real lace went TO
make the 90 first call - this lady. graceful bow
from the middle Of the room and the wave OF the hand
to seat near the window my greeting Then
she turned the light full upon mo, seated herself in
the shadow, aud opened conversation There was an
absence of the 'impudent stare, " hut with quick,
stolen gances her eyes sped from my head to my feet
and back, taking In every detail Of my DRESS aud at
the same time turning her head, as II on pivot to
show me the completeness Of her chgnon In the back
on leaving had another how from tho middle Of the
roon and "thauk You" to my honest "come and
see me soon.' le Gods! to have seen witnessed af-
teiwaru her reception of the commanding officers
wife was not to have lived In vain stepping quickly
forward with oustretced hand she placed her visitor
In an easy chair, subdued the light ordered an
orangeade with ice. Then, carefully following the
Independent remarks of Mrs c. o.. soon learned how
the 'land lay AMI regulated her conduct accord
ingly. The call ended, she preceded her guest In
wel-bred humble fashion TO the extreme edge OF the
step and In the enviable "vernacular =, babe
the important lady an obssquous adIeu
tcn1,lI tf.
take care of heself. Tho soldiers wife Is uncom-
monty well cared for In the absence of her husband
from the post. At such time the commanding Off
Ger usually inquiries Into her wants. and the quarter
master Is the very soul of courtesy kindness to the
temporary widow. l have always taken advantage
OF these absences to get window lights put In, stoves
fixed, etc
My introduction into army life Is one Of inv most
grateful "reminiscences. We were second lieutenant
people, of no Importance with that awful troublesome
tyrant the first baby, and had Travelled two thousand
miles. Worn, detected, aud looking for nothing at
the end of our journey but the critical stare of the
stranger and an empty house, we met with u gen
ulnc welcome from Mrs. Capt. W. She kent us
at her house as guests for several days, treating us as
If we had been dear friends Instead Of absolute
strangers. This hospitality is common at military
posts. My first dear friend In the Army was 'mi.
1or'B wife, present assistant aljutant general
spoke OF her as thoroughbred. ~ I thought, as
heard him. that the word smackel of the turf and
should not be applied to lady, hut the more knew Of
Mrs o. the more understood and appreciated his
mastery eplthct. Having the education aud cultiya
ticn of princess, she created about her an atmos
pere exalted aud pure. aud lve In ignorance of he,
husbands military affairs he, however, having
proves enough to steer the barque without her
assistance.
Another good friend, Mrs. Maj. L., was one of the
best OF mothers and one of the hest of wives staunch
friend one look from her honest eyes dealt death
blow to the hopes Of the toad eater recent ac
quantance a our present station could he by the
most malicious accused of envy airs though the |
old, rough quarters which she occupies are filed with
numerous pretty things. Administer carpets and |
Persian rugs cover the old Oors the windows and I'M
slightly woodwork are hid away IN the graceful folds
of antique curtains, brc-abrac, and shimmerng can
delabra. But alas, though testify also to a car
riagc and span belonging to this lady, and fire. |
screen too, l chnnot say she owns 'dndo. -
our pratcis of "lmprudeuce and promoters of |
scandal generally those who enter the Army with
more splnser prudlsincss than clarity-whoss own |
young days are forgotten. The young lieutenans,,
wives our most interesting women. Do they not
come to us with youth and hope aud that sweet
tna?'' r. / u