The Portland daily press., 1884-11-05
PRICE THREE CENTS.
His Orders Were Valid.

One hot day eight years ago, when the
sun came down with so much force that it
turned the tar pavement into soft paste, 1
was in the building In which the United
States government had its exhibit in con-
neetion with the centennial exposition. Hot
as it was, the people thronged all the big
buildings and crowded the little circular
railroad which made $4,000 or $4,000 day.
had been writing about the big show and
what was to be seen there until 1t was a sor-
ry task indeed. 1t was so hot 1 did not feel
like work, and so went over to the govern
ment building to look at some of the inter-
esting things to be seen there. As usual,
the place was full of people, to many of
whom the sight of such collection of guns
and munitions of war was great wonder in
deed. As passed out of the main aisle in
to one OF the side ones, there was a slight
delay owing to lady catching her dress on
the corner OF projecting box-lhe box wss
entirely out of its place or the mishap would
not have occurred. When the walk was re-
sumed found myself beside heavily built
man who had stopped to watch the extrica-
tion of the lady's dress. He was dressed in
dark suit with leng tailed frock coat and
oSAb ACib Hat, thC Oi WHICH uuUg QOWQ
So low in front that 1t shaded the wearer's
face. He wore beard, closely cropped, and
allowed his chin to rest upon his breast. A
soldier who was on duty at that particular
place came around, as 1 stood there, and
slowly walked down the aisle, the man be-
side me bent forward, and in a short, sharp,
military tone exclaimed:
"PrivateP'
The man stopped, looked surprised at the
mannQr of ad1raaa ma hua Ofy
saluted.
THAT box is in the way; help me meve
it" said the man, and the soldier with a
goad natured remark about the difficulty of
keeping things in order, complied with the
request. A petty officer came up just as the
soldier was aiding the stranger in pushing
the box out of the way. l do not know
what the officers rank was, but from his
major generalsbip strut guessed him to be
a corporal. The instant he saw what the
private was doing he cried out:
who gave you orders to move those box
es?''
''The box jhst tore lady's dress, sir" re-
piled the soldier in an embarrassed way, af-
ter saluting. SIT was moved out by some
body, aud just stopped to fix it."
"Oh, you didP' said the young stTutter,
tartly. well, sir, don't want any more of
this interference with the exhibits unless
of your superiors."
AT this juncture tall, thin man, whose
cheeks were sunken and whose hair and
beard were red, came up to the man who
had caused the soldiers trouble, and with
an exclamation of relief he said: 81 was
looking for you and had given up hope of
finding you."
"Wait minute" was all the reply given
to this salutation, and then, taking step
towards the officer, he said: "Officer, the
private was doing his duty. 1t is as much
the duty of the men stationed here to see
that the public are protected from discom-
fort as it is to guard the exhibits"
"The man acted without ORDERS" retorted
the officer, sharply.
II gave him his ORDERS" was the quick
reply.
Before the officer could speak the man
who had just joined him chimed in, saying:
"Oficer, this is President Grant. His or
ders, trust, will be strictly regarded in fu-
ture. l am the secretary of war" And
with rsther angry look at his subordinate,
the present senator from Pennsylvania (J.
Donald Cameron) walked off with the Presl-
dent, leaving the officer astounded, the pri-
vate delighted, and myself highly amused.