Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-06-07

why don't We git up an saloot? Don't
We know your business yit?'
What business, Jake?" asked Kent
Edwards, absentlv. paying most atten-
tion to d toad which had hoped out
from the cover of a burdock leaf in
search of insects for supper.
Alspaugh's face grew Elacker. "The
busines OF paying proper respect to your
officers"
1T hasn't occurred to me that l am
neglecting anything in that line," said
Kent, languidly, shifting over to recline
upon his left elbow, and with his right
hand gathering up little gravel to flip
ut the toad; but maybe you are better
acquainted with our business than we
are"
Abe contributed to the dialogue a
scornful laugh, indicative of = most
heartless disbelief in his Superior Off
GERS superior intellectually.
The dark cloud burst in storm: Don't
you know" said Alspaugh, angry in ev-
cry fiber, that the reggerlations say
that when an enlisted man sees an Off
Ger approach, he will rise and saloot,and
remain standin' and gain in a respect
full manner until the officer passes five
PAGES beyond him?' Sayl don't you
know that?'
Kent Edwards tipped bit of gravel
with such good aim that it struck the
toad fairly on the head, who blinked his
bright eyes in surprise, and hoped back
to his covert.
81 am really glad,' said he, 'to know
that you have learned something of the
regulations. Now, don't say another
word about it until l run down to the
company quarters and catch fellow on
u bet, who wants to put up money that
you can never learn single sentence in
them. Don't say another word, and you
can stand in with me on the bet"
Had your head measured since you
got this idea into ii ?" asked Abe Bolton,
with we'll assumed interest.
"If he did, he had to use surveyors
chain,' suggested Kent. dipping another
pebble in the direction OF the toad's re-
treat.
AlSpaugh had grown so great upon
the liberal feed of the meat of fiattery
that he could hardly make himself be-
lieve that he had heard Alright, and that
these men did not care fig for himself
or his authority. Then recovering con-
tidence in the fidelity of his ears, it SEEM
ed to him that.such conduct was aggra-
waited mutiny, which military discipline
demanded should receive condign pun
ishment on the spot. Had he any con-
fidence in his ability to use the doughty
weapon at his side, he would not have
resisted the strong temptation to draw
his sword and make an example then
and there of the contemners of his pow
er and magnificence. But the culprits
had shown such an aptitude in the use
of arms as to inspire his wholesome re-
spect and he was very far from sure
shat they might not make a display of
his bF0aiswofd an occasion for heaping
fresh ridicule upon him. An opportune
remembrance came to his aid.
fit wasn't for the strict orders we
officers got yesterday not to allow our
selves to be provoked under any circum-
stances into striking our men, I'd learn
you fellers mighty quick not to insult
your superior officers. I'd bring you to
time. can tell you. But I'll settle y ith
you yit. I'll have you in the guard
house on bread and water in short mo
ter, and then I'll learn you to be respect
ful and obedient."
"He means teach instead of learn
said Kent, apologetically, to Abe. ats
just awful to have a man, wearing
shoulder straps, abuse English grammar
in that way. What's grammar done to
him to deserve such treatment? He
hasn't even "A speaking acquaintance
with it."
81 'spose it's because grammar can't
hit back. That's the kind he always
picks" answered Abe.
You'll pay for this" shouted Alp
saugh, striding off after the Sergeant of
the Gaurd.
AT that moment little drummer ap-
peared by the flagstaff and beat lively
rataplan.
That's for dress parade" said Kent
Edwards, rising. WED better skip
right over to quarters and fall in"
"Wish their dress parades were in the
birthstone fames, grOwled Abe Bolton,
as he rose to accompany his comrade.
"All they're for is to stand up as back
ground, to show off a lot of spruce young
officers dressed in fancy rigs"
"Well,' said Kent, lightly, as they
walked along, 81 kind of like that; don't
you? We make picturesque back
grounds, don't we? You and l, especial
| ly; you, the soft, tender, 1.-the and will
lowy; and l, the frOwning, rugged and
adamantine, SO to speak. l think the
background business is our best hold"
He laughed heartily at his own sar-
casm, but Abe was not to be moved by
such frivolity, and answered glumly:
80. yes, laugh about it. if you choose.
| That's your way; giggle over everything.
But when play background l want it
| to be something worth while in the
| foreground. don't banker after max
| ing myself Il foil to show off such fell
| lows as our officers are to good advan-
tage."
THAT don't bother me any more than
it does mountain to serve as back
ground for Nanny goat and a pair of
sore-eyed mulesr'
"YeS, but the mountain sometimes has
an opportunity to drop an avalanche on
| EN-"
At this point of the discussion they
arrived at the company grounds, and
scarcely time to snarch up their guns
and don their belts before the company
moved out to take its place in the regi-
mental line.
| The occasion of Lieutenant Alspaugh's
elaborate personal Ornamentation now
| manifested itself. BY reason of Captain
| Benefits absence he was in command
of the company, and was about to make
his first appearance OIL parade in that
capacity. Two or three young women
of the hollyhOck order of beauty, whom
ne was very anxious to impress had been
brought to camp to witness his apotheo-
sis into "a commanding officer
The moment, however that he placed
himself at the head of the company and
drew sword, the chill breath of distrust
sent the mercury of his self-contidence
down to zero. 1t looked so easy to COM
mand a company when some one else
was doing it; it was hard when he tried
it himself. All the imps of confusion
held high revel in his mind when he at !
Tor And i1, cri, 1Anln IL. h. L.