Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1886-12-24
(eoNTINUED.)
CHAPTER VIII.



ton requires peculiar east of mind 1t re-
qnires genuine liking for a treadmill round
of merely mechanical duties; it requires a
taste for rising in the chill and cherries
dawn, at the unwelcome summons of rcveille,
to long day filled with tiresome routine of
lahorious drills, alternating with tedious roll
calls and wearisome parades and inspections;
it requires pleased contentment with walks
continually cut short by the camp guard, and
with amusements limited to rough horse play
on the parade ground and dull games of cards
by suffering candles in the tent
These were the trials that tested Harry
Glen's resolution sorely. When he enlisted
with the intention of redeeming himself he
naturally expected that the opportunity he
desired would be given by prompt march
to the field and speedy entrance into an en-
gagement. He nerved himself strenuously
for the dreadful ordeal of battle, but this be-
came continually receding point. The bit
ter defeat at Bun Run was bearing fruit in
months Of painstaking preparation before
venturing upon another collision.
II do wish the regiment would get orders
to move" said almost hourly each one of n
half million impatient youths fretting IN
camps of instruction through the long suIn-
Dar of 1861.
II do wish she regiment would get orders
to move,h said Harry Glen angrily one
evening, on coming into the surgeons tent to
have his blistered hands dressed. He had
been on fatigue duty during the day. and the
fatigue squad had had an obstinate struggle
with an old oak stump, which disfgured the
parade ground, and resisted removal like an
Irish tenant.
Il am willingness, can say am anxious,
even-to 90 into battle" he continued, while
Dr. Paul Denslow laid plasters of simple
eerate on the abraded palms and then
swathed them in haRdages. Anything is
preferable to this chopping tough stumps with
a dull ak and drilling six hours day while
the thermometer hangs around the nineties.
Il admit that there are things which would
seem pleasanter to young man of your tenn
permanent and previous habits" said the sur
geon, kindly. "Shift over into that arm
stool, which you will find easier. and rest a
little while. Julius, bring in that box of
cigars
While Julius, who resembled his illustrious
nameSake as little in celebrity of movement as
he did in complexion, was coming, the sur
geon' prepared paper, which he presented
to Harry, saying:
There, that'n keep you off duty to-mor-
row. After that. we'll see what can be done. y
Julius arrived with the cigars as tardily as
if ne had to cross Rubicon in the back
room. Two were lighted, and the surgeon
settled himself for chat
Have YOU become tired of soldier lifef'
asked he studying Harry's face for the effect
of the question.
Il cannot say that | have become tired of
it." said Harry, frankly, because must adj
init that | never had the slightest inclination
to it. l had less fancy for becoming sol
der than for any other honorable pursuit
that you could mention
Then You only joined the army
From a sense of duty merely, +" said Harry,
knocking the ashes from his cigar
"And the physical and other dfscomforts
now begin to weigh nearly as much as that
sense of duty!"
Not at all. 1t only seems tome that theirs
are more of them than are absolutely essen
tial TO tho performance of that duty l
want to be of service to the country, but
would prefer that that service be not made
unnecessarily oneTous."
Il can make your los in the service easier, -
said Dr. Denslow
"Indeed! How soY'
"By having you appointed my hospital
steward. | have not secured one vet. and the
man who is acting as such Is so incorporate
that feel fresh sense of escape with every
day that passes without his installing the
oxalic acid for EPSON salts. TO the destruction
of some earnest but eonstipated young
patriots whole digestive viscera
IF you accept this position" continued the
surgeon, flinging away his refractory cigar in
disgust, and rising to get fresh one, "ysu
will have the best rank and pay of any non
commissioned officer in the regiment; better
indeed, than that of second lieutenant You
will have your quarters here with me, and be
compelled to associate with no one but me
thus reducing your disagreeable companions
at single stroke, to one. And you will es
cape finally from all subserviency to Lieut.
Pancake, or indeed to any other officer in the
regiment, except your humble servant. As to
food, you will mess with me-"
Those arc certainly very strong induce
ments, said Harry, meditating upon the de-
Hghtfulness of relief from the myriad of rasp-
ing little annoyances which rendered every
day of camp life an affection.
"Ye3, and still farther, you will never need
to 80 under fire, or expose yourself to danger
of any kind, unless you choose to-"
Harry's face crimsoned to the hue of the
western sky where the sun was Just going
down. He started to answer hotly, but an
understanding of the surgeons evident kind
ness and sincerity interposed to deter him.
He knew there was no shaft of sarcasm hid
den below this plain speech, and after q mo-
ment's consideration he said:
Il am very grateful, assure YOU for your
kindness in this matter. | am strongly
tempted to accept your offer, but there are
still stronger reasons why l should decline
it,
MAY ask your reasonsi"
MY reasons for not accepting the appoint
ment!7
eyes, the reasons which iInpel you to prefer
dinner of bitter herbs, under Mr.. Pancakes
usually soiled thumb, % stalled OK and my
profitable society" said the surgeon, guyly.
Harry hesitated moment, and then de-
cided to speak frankly. "Yes,n he said,
your kindness gives you the right to know.
To not tell you would show n lack of graft
tude. made painful blunder before in not
staying untiinchingly with my company
The moro | think of it, the more / regret it,
and the more / am decided not to repeat it,
but abide by ny comrades and share their
fate in all things. / feel that ] no longer
have choice in the matter; must do it.
But there goes the drum for roll call. |
must go. Good evening, and very many
thanks
"fhe young fellows no callow milksop,
after all, F" said Surgeon Denslow, as his eyes
followed HarTy's retreating form. "His
gristle is hardening into something like his
stern old fathers backbone"
CHAPTER TX.
ON THE MARCH