Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-23

ing eyes betokened the veteran and his
manner indicated the man accustomed to
authority. He cast glance at the bare
pole, acknowledged the salutes of the
officer, and then his eye fell upon Miss
Preston.
"Ah," he said, II cannot be mistaken;
this is an unexpected pleasure. Miss Pres
ton, am delighted; it is some years since
met any OF the Prestons of South Caro-
lina."
years sometimes separate friends like
differences Of opinion" replied Miss Pres
ton.
Neither ever separate true friends. I
had the honor Of knowing your father init
mately; he was soldier OF the Republic"
"He was soldier of South Carolina"
said Miss Preston.
(which by the bond is part of the Re
public and 6y the grace Of God will remain
so. I assure you, Miss Preston, that q
State that produces such women will never
be permitted to belong to anything else,"
and the Commodore bowed in the courtIy
old-school style.
There was not very comfortable feeling
in the group that the Commodore was get
ting the best of the fusillade, and that the
Preston would say something that would
irritate hi, fiery spirit. With some vague
idea of relieving the situation of this strain
of badinage with a practical word, Harold
asked with all the official seriousness that
he could command:
"Are there any additional orders, sir,
about your quarters or accommodations?"
The Commandant turned from the ladies
and moved a step or two away.
70 Sha a. &bok L.
asked.
II believe, sir" replied the Lieutenant,
'its absence is a concession to popular
opinion"
"See that it is hoisted at once" said the
veteran. "One moment" he added, as his
officer was about to obey, Lieutenant
Breeze will be here this morning; have
wired him. See that he reports to me I'M
mediatelY."
Lieutenant Harold saluted his superior
officer with all the solemn formality that he
could summon for the occasion. He had
some kind OF consciousness that it was
necessary to show the group what was due
the veteran. But he said to himself as be
turned, Crank coming here this morning,
what does that mean?"
The moment the Commodore was released
the Preston set her skirmish line again.
"We shall have to throw out piekets on
this parapet, Commodore" she said, "my
headquarters are on this side"
The old warrior touched his hat, '1 trust,
ladies" he said, ''that we shall have no
other battles than those in which you are
always victorious"
"But this is a watering place, remember,
I only wanted to warn you that if you were
attacked you could call on me-"
Madam" replied the indomitabls
warrior, "you are an enemy that can best be
fought by keeping out of your sight"
81 am not so sure of it, Commodore. If
your tactics are as clever as your compli-
mentS, you deserve better battle field than
watering place."
"All fields are alike when it is question
only OF duty to an officer"
'.'We were just discussing that when you
arrived, and we couldn't decide whether an
officers duty was born with him like his
bones or laid on like his pipe clay"
The Commodore had turned to 90; he
paused, his SCARED face showed flush OF
indignation through all its honorable
veneer; but he only said with admirable
self-command:
"Yes, believe it is a watering place no
tion that an officers allegiance to bis coun-
try is shaped to the folly of every school
district to which he may happen to be sta
toned"
There was another cOurtly bow, . word Of