Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-12-22

ment he too was brought to q sudden
check and instantly imprisoned, shut
up in dark and gloomy dungeon,
and guarded by two soldiers who held
the door and detied him to speak one
word.
Quite unconscious of the new dis
cipline being thus so summarily en-
forced. the two lieutenants with the
ten soldiers under their charge had
been off on little excursion of mis-
chievous enjoyment, having had, as
they thought, a rare good time. But
all of sudden Captain Head came
up with them, and without a word
they were caught, their misdeeds de-
clared, and their punishment decided.
They were all chained in a group,
pressed SO close together that they
had to lock arms to be comfortable,
and stationed behind a thick rampant
with the order to stand there until re-
leased.
And where were the two restless
corporals all this time? Hearing
faint rumor of what was going on in
the ranks above them, they were just
about to make off for place of safe
ty when a sudden ''Halt % stopped
them and Captain Head frowned
down angrily upon them.
1t was no use trying either to run
or creep out of the, dilemma, though
they shuffied about uneasily.
Their penalty was at once decreed,
and they were peremptorily ordered
to stand right where they were and
not to move an inch without permits
sion.
And now for once Captain Head
felt himself every inch a soldier.
Free to think and reflect on his re-
sponsibilities and duties, he could
but see how much he had been to
blame for all the misdemeanors and
irregularities that had brought dis
credit on the great army of which he
desired to be a true and worthy mem
Der. If he had but begun this stern
and watchful discipline with his SOL
diers earlier, how much more respect
ed would he have been as a COM
mander, and how much more surely
would he have won the commenda-
ton of the Great Commander whom
he professed to love and serve.
By the time Captain Head had con-
Guided these reflections the two young
guardsmen were crying piteously tc
be released, promising ever after
faithfully to obey orders. The sen
tinels were straining every nerve tt
hear any sound of approaching relic
and ready to listen to any condition
of pardon. Adjutant Tongue long
ed for the use of his powers one
more if just to utter the good resolu
tons he had been silently framing
The two Lieutenant Hands, wit
their closely crowded company, wer
so tired and cramped that they wer
eager to work or do anything If onl
permitted to come to the front agai
and have their freedom.
AS to the two corporals, thong
. they had tried to relieve one another
E they simply felt that they could stan
their punishment no longer, and wei
willing to promise anything if onl
permitted to free exercise again s
! necessary to their happiness.
And having brought them all no
to this state of submission, CAPITA
o Head proudly drew himself up 10 II
greatest height, and, looking dow
g upon them, gave them distinctly
understand that henceforth this ru
= of discipline was to be rigidly e
: forced, aud no offender need hol
- for escape nor for any partiality.
He is now said to have one of t
best drilled and best regulated col
panies in the whole army, and is fl
= quently pointed out as not only
wise captain, but one universal
looked up to by his brave and homo
- able soldiers.