The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-06
CAPTURED THE CHIEF.
A MILITARY VISIT TO THE CITY HALL
OCCASIONS ALARM.
rhe Gloomy Forebodings OF President
Hadden Changed to Pride TICKLING
Little Time and Characteristic
Speech-Fine Drilling,


The military side OF President Hadden's
subdivided life cropped out rather unex-
pec,edly yesterday afternoon.
II came at moment TO serve as chink
in the crevices Of whatever advantages he
and his associates on a council committee
were striving TO secure for the city in for
muating a contract with the Artesian
Water Company.
The deliberations OF the two parties,
held in the Presidents private Office at the
city hall, were interrupted by ominous
commands from the alley below, Right
forward, iours right, march, Fours left,
march! Company halt Order armsl Fix
bayonets! Garry armsl Right forward,
twos right, march," Immediately sue
ceeding this military disturbance was
heard the steady tramps of uniformed,
armed and well drilled men ascending the
broad stairs leading up to the conference
chamber.
It's effect upon the conferees was marked.
The cheeks OF men who had lodged mil
lions Of whistling bullets in battle, crawled
M under the very wheels OF hostile can
mons. charged ramparts behind which
cleaned thousands OF firm, anxious bayo
nets. and left trail of blood behind as
they advanced TO vndicate their cause,
blanched and terrible faint seized their
usually robust constitutions. All thought
OF contract vanished, giving way 10 a
burning desire for water in another form,
not unmixed with something reviviiying.
This state OF decrepitudc continued for
two awful minutes during which not
word was spoken, all communion one
with another being by the silent. soulful
stare. Finally the spell WIS broken by
the head Of the government appealing in
hoarse Whisper to Col. CAN'T:
George, rouse yourself, and see why
this attack"
"Excuse me. David" replied the Col
onel; | am serving the wntcr company
now, ~ it, duly authorized attorney, and
vengeance aimed at you Tor your sins OF
omission and commission must be warded
OF by YOU or some more warlike friend
than myself but let me assure you,
David, for my client company. Il had moth
ing 10 do with this visitation Of vengeance
seekers"
'Nfajor, will YOU plead my cause before
them2' inquired the President, turning
his tear dimmcd eyes upon Maj Petit
"Put on your boldcst front, David re-
piled that gentleman; appear before the
BOYS, put the question 20 a vote, exercise
your prcrogative, double up on them, and
you've got EN-"
"By the great goose.bone OF Todd Coun.
a., never though, OF 'prcroeatiyc' in any
thing but that bank depository I'll try
II ON again, and see Il IL don't douse 'om.
But, look a-hcrc. II you nll love me, don't
suiIc- my blood 10 be split In such an ~
noble way Leave the door ajar, aud II
the noisc Of an angry rush is heard, well
come me speedily 10 your midst aud sum-
mon q detail Of iifemen 10 turn the hose
on"
With these few words Of prccaution TO
cover his anticipated lightning r'irral, the
trembling President cautiously vcniurcd
GU, OF the commitcc-room. The bay
window OF his p1ndcrous form had barely
closed the door when h CAME In contact
with the physically fragile Prot Wharton
- Jones. principal OF the Memphis Mill
tary Institute. When tEe lint shock was
over the President inquired
"scc herr, Jones, what h this that con-
fronts mc?'
"Aly little company was ont this after
noon. said the professor, "and l thought
Il would be- nice diversion 10 pay YOU n
visit. II will serve 90 show you the iorii-
fled reliance at your back In the remote
event OF a demand for military. Come
out in the hall aud see them drill
The reaction OF the shock WIS ~ terrible
as the shock itself, aud thc following Pres
ident was touching picture Of mcckncs'
Of the high pressure grnde. Arrived ~
the hall, there were seen twenty lou
manly, handsome young men, wearing
the attractive uniform OF the Institute
standing NJ parade u'st" The appeal
ancc Of the two was the signal for "Com
pany, attention. Carry armsl Prcsef
arinsl" from the Captain, followed by re-
ulation salulos between that officer an,
Prof. Jones, whcrcupon tho latter turncl
20 the company and said:
"loung gentlemen, u II my pleasure
present to YOU Mr.. lladdon. President oi III
Taxing District, or head OF tue city 20
eminent Many Of You arr from a Ill
lance, but have. ! know, heard much
President MADDEN, aud Il Is well enoug
10 know him"
TO think was apprhcnsive over III
presence II these mild.inanncfcd. gcnic'
young fellows but | wasn't scared =,
marked the President. In an undcrlone, /
an AfftAi ltloIAtt tlAnulug uN nM SUI
Then turning 10 the Captain Of the Con
pany, he said. III haven't any speech |
say vet. Just put the boys through u
tic business. 20 give me q chance"
For five minutes the sicniorian tones
the efficient commander rang out, rcyc
bcraiing through the ancient, dingy wall
the youthful but well trained soldiers n
eponded faithfully, IN their march dodgii
piles 81 Eloyewood, stakcpins aud 9TH
rubbish occupying most Of the floor, aft
which they were brought to halt M
parade rest, aud the Uomplimcnicd oilici
made happy speech.
After circling skilllully around the Wo,
and lumber piles Ia the spacious room {
half an hour OF more, introducing nun
Der Of fancy movements, the promisil
young military company departed /
headquarters. attracting admiring ate
ton along the entire route.
IOWA FyfC rIONR