Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-12-22
aglputh.' Column,
CAPTAIN HEAD AND HIS
SOLDIERS.

Young captain Head was III great
perplexity and trouble. In fact, be
looked utterly bowed down with the
weight of care that was resting upon
him. At quite an early age be had
enlisted as soldier in a great army,
promising to be faithful and true, to
fight manfully under the banner be
bore, and ever to uphold the honor of
the Great Commander, whose cause
he served.
But Captain Head had not suffi-
GENTLY weighed the difficulties to be
met, when with fervent, glowing
heart he enrolled himself in this great
army: he had thought much of the
glory of conqueror, but he had lit
tie counted the responsibility and
vigilance that would devolve upon
him during the long warfare, and
when he remembered that he had en-
listed for life, he was sometimes ut
terly cast down.
1t was true, he often had troubles
of his own, difficult, important work
to perform that often made him ache
with feverish WEAKNESS but as he
admitted to himself, these trials were
as nothing compared to those brought
upon him by his unruly soldiers, es-
pecially by his young officers, who
were far more presumptuous and re-
bellious than those whom they should
have helped him govern.
Now. there were the two young
guardsmen belonging to the light in
fantry, two brothers, bright and in
telligent, bearing the singular name
of Eyes. No sooner were they CIV
en- some special duty to perform than
instead of faithfully attending to it,
there they were straying off in every
direction, looking after things that
had best been left alone, and prying
into everybody's business but their
own.
Then there were two other BROTH
ers by the name of Ears, quick and
ever on the alert, whom the captain
had chosen as special sentries to
stand guard on either side of the
camp to listen for the first sound of
approaching danger, and to hear all
that could be learned for the good of
the army.
Yet no sooner were they stationed
at their posts, than instead of listen
ing for danger signals, OF useful
news, they we're giving all their atten-
ton to some silly story gossip, or, per-
haps, worse still, to some wicked
scandal of others, or even to some
impure joke.
Then there was the adjutant, lit
tie fellow. it is true, yet quick anC
active in his movements, but veril,
the most unruly member of the cap
tain's company. This was Adjutan
Tongue, appointed to carry his com
mander's orders and speak for hin
on all occasions, delivering message
of advice, warning or encouragement
What was the captains mortifcatio
often to hear this spry young office
pouring forth a perfect volley G
abuse on some companion, ravin
leaaiy ID passion, or worse than al
sometimes astering wo1ds that &c
hours aftefwafd filled Captain Hea
with shame.
Then there were the two lieuter
ants, two cousins bearing the nan
of Hands. 1t is true, they had III
der their charge quite a number {
stupid young privates to drill an
keep in order; but this should on
have made them the more seriou
On the contrary, however, half Il
time, when detailed to lead off {
some necessary work or action, i
stead of doing so, the whole par
would be found engaged in som
thing else, having either forgott'
the duty assigned them. or perha
rebelliously idle and Indifferent.
Then there were two others, CO
poral Foot and his brother, most Us
full and necessary officers, and sure
not so handsome and high in Office
to be afflicted with vanity; yet f
some unaccountable reason, they we
the most restless, most unrelial
of the captains troop. Never co
tented, everlastingly wanting
IUdECl WuGu IuC OIuCI WAS W liz
to stand still and lag behind when
order came to march, and when lie;
expected, actually assuming co
mand and leading the whole conn
ny off in some direction wholly CT
trary to orders, and bringing Capt;
Head into disgrace and to receiv
reprimand from his superiors. t
ly he sometimes felt inclined to ha
himself up for shame!
But the captain was beginning
wake up to the serious Importance
this state of affairs; surely he M
be somewhat to blame as q comma
er, for such disordefly conduct amt
his own soldiers. Perhaps he
been too amlable, OF too indiffere
or, more probable of all, too thong
less he would rouse himself, in
tute new order of things, and tie
these unruly officers who was capt
among them. He would at once
gin a course of discipline that We
astonish them, and he was not