Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-12-20
CHAPTER VII.

approval.
CHAPTER VII.
ABE, you remember how that man who
made the speech when our colors were pre-
sented to us talked of the swelling hearts of
our volunteers don't your said Kent Ed
wards, as he and Abe Bolton lounged near
the parade ground one fine afternoon, shortly
after the arrival of the regiment in camp of
instruction you remember that that was
his favorite figure of rhetoric, and he re-
peated it several times?"
3Dont know anything about iigger of ret
terick," growled Abe, who, his comrades said,
had the cvenest temper in the regiment. "for
he was always mad" aBut do remember
that he said that over several times, with a
lot O other things without much pint to ,cm,
until thought I'd drop, was so thirsty and
tired
"Ycsi Well, now il you want to get
good idea of what that expression meant, look
over there. Not only his heart swells, but he
swells all over"
Il should think he did replied Abe after
a moments inspection. @Unless his hat has
an injy rubber band he'll have to git it cut
a.,
it can't swell no more without busting"
1t was Joseph Pancake crossing the parade
ground in more than Solomonic splentlor of
uniform.
II feel sorry for the poor lilies of the field
that he comes near sighed Kent, sympa-
thetically. "He is like them now. in neither
toiling nor spinning, and yet how ashamed
he must make them of their inferior raj
ment..
Pancakes triunphal march had now
brought him within few feet of them, but
they continued to lounge indiffcrently on the
musket box upon which they had been sitting,
giving a mere nod as recognition of his pres
ence, and showing no intention OF rising to
salute.
The glow of satisfaction faded from Pam
cakes horizon, and a cloud overcast it,
"Here, you fellers." he said angrily, @why
don't ye git up an saloot? Don't We know
your business yit.'
"What business, Joes" asked Kent Edwards,
absently, paying most attention to toad
which had hoped out from the cover of a
burdock leaf in search of insects for his
supper.
Pancakes face grew blacker THE bust
ness of paying proper respect to your officers N
ing anything in that line" said Kent, lam
guidly. shifting over to recline upon his left
elbow, and with his right hand gathering up
little gravel to flip ut the toad; "but may be
you are better acquainted with our business
than we are
Abe contributed to the dialogue scornful
laugh, indicative of most heartiess disbelief
in his superior officers superior intellectually.
The dark cloud burst in Storm Don't you
know" said Pancake, angry in every fiber,
that the reggerlations say that when an en-
listed man sees an officer approach, be win
rise and saloot, and remain standin' and gain
in a respectful manner until the officer passes
five PAGES beyond HING Say, don't you know
that.n
Kent Edwards Hpped 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 II
am really glad" said he, "to know that YOU
have learned something of the regulations.
Now, don't say another word about it until
run down TO the company quarters and catch
q fellow for bet who wants to put up money
that you can never learn single sentence of
them Don't say another word, and you can
stand in with me on the bet"
sHad your head measured since you goe
this idea into it?' asked Abe Bolton, with wen
assumed interest
IF he did, he had to use surveyors chain,n
suggested Kent, Tipping another small pcb-
BILE in the direction of the toads retreat
"If it wasn't for he strict orders we officers
got yesterday" said Pancake, mot to allow
ourselves to be provoked under any circum-
stances into striking our men, I'd learn you
fellers mighty quick not to insult your SUI
perior officers I'd bring YOU to time, can
tell you. But I'll settle with you yit. I'll
have you in the guard house on bread and
water in short meter, and then I'll learn you
to be respectful and obedient."
"ic 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 treat
ments He hasn't even speaking acquaint-
ance with it."
II s'pose it's because grammar can't hit
back That's the kind ne always picks on
answered Abe.
you'll pay for this shouted Pancake,
striding off after tho sergeant OF the guard.
At that moment little drummer appeared
by the flagstaff and beat a lively rataplan.
That's for dress parade" said Kent Ed
wards, rising. WED better skip right over
to quarters and fall in
"Wish their dress parades were in the brim-
stone flames" growled Abe Bolton, as he rose
to accompany his comrade. "Ail they're for
is to stand up as a background, to show off
lot of spruce young officers dressed in fancy
rigs
aWell,s said Kent, lightly, as they walked
along, Il kind of like that; don't you. We
make picturesque backgrounds, don't wei
You and /, especially: you, the soft, tender,
1.-the and willowy; and + the browning,
rugged and admantine, SO to speak think
the background business is our best hold'
He laughed heartily at his own sarcasm,
but Abe was not to be moved by such
frivolity, and answered, glumly:
AOh, yes; laugh about it, if you choose
That's your way; giggle over everything.
But when play background want it to be
with something worth while in the fore
ground. don't banker after making myself
foil to show off such fellers as our officers
are to good advantage
"That don't bother me any more than il
does a mountain to serve as background
for a nanny goat and a pair of sore-eyed
mulesir
ayes, but the mountain sometimes has an
opportunity to drop an avalanche ON 'em.r
At this point of the discussion they arrived
at the company grounds, and had scarcely
time to snatch up their guns and don their
belts before the company moved out to take
its place in the regimental line.
The occasion Of Lieut. Pancakes elaborats
personal ornameatation now manifested
itself By reason of Capt Benefits absence
he was in command of the company and was
about to make his first appearance on parade
In that capacity. Two or three young women,
of the hollyn mock order of beauty, whom he
was very anxious to impress, had been brought
to camp 70 witness bis aptheoeis into con
nsEllrg n-.