The National tribune., 1886-04-08

that the extra mental and physical wear and tear
caused by the arduous duties and responsible
ties of Corporal ought to be recOmpensed by
several dollars month additional. He did not
know, until he found out by experience, that
the glory of soldiers first promotion was con-
sidered to be ample equivalent for all official
requirements. But before ST had succeeded in
adjusting his feelings to this view of the case
he was more than half inclined to try and
organize strike among the Corporals, in the
hope of securing justice.
1t will not be out of place here to mention
that in the infantry arm OF the service Cor
porals received the same pay as privates until
May, 1864. Then the pay of privates was
increased to SIG per month, and the valor and
efficient services of such men as Corporal klegg
were recognized by fixing the pay of that grade
at SiS per month.
ST was soon joined by Shorty, who, after get
ting his money, hunted up his comrade. 1t
was a sort of holiday in camp, in view of the
extraordinary nature of the occasion.
How much d ye git, Shortly" asked 81, as
his "pard " sat down beside him.
"'Bout the same IS you did,"
"'Taint very hefty, is it?"
al sh'd ruther say not" replied Shorty; "but
its S much s l thought thered be after the
Sutler ID had his grab"
"Wall she's all right" said ST, whose elastic
spirits soon rebounded to their natural level;
1--WE amt doin' all this eatin' bareback n
trampin' round fer fun nor fer money As fur
S that goes, | wouldn't do it fer all a Jigadier
Brindle gifts. 'spose its what the spOuters calls
patri'tism You N me s goin' ter stick to this
thing, anyhow, til we gifts them rebbles licked
out o their boots. But say, Shorty, I'd like to
git good crack at that ere snappin' turtle of
clerk It the PaymaSter has to do his tiggerln.
He'd think he'd bin kicked by a hull mule
team. Wouldn't | dance to see him marchin'
with gun on his shoulder"
Already the various industries that always
showed so much activity Immediately after
pay day had begun to thrive around the 20Oth
Indiana. The fresh troops, the first time they
were paid off, fell an easy prey to the seductive
allurements of "chuck-a luck" This is a
game not especially calculated to promote in
telectual or moral improvement. novice
thinks he can see through the game right
away, but there is where he makes mistake.
The more he tries the less he knows about it.
Experience is also likely TO be expensive. The
other fellow always seems, In the long run, to
get the money.
The innocent youths of the 200th laid in
a stock of experience that very day. Hardened
reprobates from some of the veteran regiments
gathered in the woods about the camp spread
their "lay-Outs" under the trees, with piles of
money in front of them, and began to rattle
their dice in tantalizing way. The boys
gathered about, like minnOws nibbling at
hook baited with the first angle-wOrm of
Spring. 1t was not long till scores of games
were in full blast
ST and Shorty lOitered around to see what
was going on ST became good deal inter-
ested, especially when he saw member of Com
pany q win several times in succession he
wondered if luck wouldn't favor him so that
he could make up what the Paymaster ought
to have given him, because he was Corporal,