The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-02-27

brought II all back, and--She could not pear IL.
| Why, oh why had God so dealt with herr Why
had he taken away the one she lovedP Why
had not her son a fathers care as well rs other
boys2 lt was so hard, so hardl And she fell
into state of self-pty, that subsided into Sob
hing and at last into sleep of exhaustion.
Miss Patience was too indignant to come to
her niece at once, but when she failed to appear
at luncheon, the old ladys heart smote her, aud
she ambled away TO pour oil on tho troubled
waters. She found Katherine and Guy asleep
in each others arms, and gently closing the
door she shook her head sRgaciOusy, saying:
The day will be brighter for little shower"
III.
Adolphe Roemer was every inch a soldier.
Habits of discipline were strong upon him.
From boyhood he had received the careful
military training Germany enforces upon all
her sons, and yet when the border-land
between youth and manhood, scarce knowing
what he wanted, he had fed to America to avoid
a soldiers life. With the seli-reiauce of the
young, he had confidently expected TO make
his way in some grand iashiOn-as an architect,
an engineer, draughtsman, or, last OF all, that
unfailing dependence of the impecunous for
eigner a teacher of languages; surely, the world
was all before him where 20 choose. But sick
ness and misfortune overlook him: lie did not
know the ways of his adopted country, and, in
the end, poverty, like mocking fieud, stared
him IN the face Just ut this iuncture accident
Tor Providence) threw him in the way of the
recruiting officer, and in sheer desperation he
enrolled for five years common soldier,
thankful that there was one profession he knew
well enough to make il available. With a squad
of raw recruits he was sent to the West, and
assigned 10 the -th Inf, where he soon learned
that soldering in America was a far different
experience from tho same life in the Father
land. Still, he was not unhappy, gave strict at
tention 10 his duties, and spent his leisure in
acquiring the language not in the slip-shod
manner that would pass muster in the ranks,
but a scholar wishes 10 know it, Before the
first year was out his accent was only distin-
guished from that of his messmates by greater
precision, and Dutchy," as he had been nick
named, became favorite not only with his
fellows but with the officers rs well. As
cancieS occurred he was promoted from one
non-commissiOned Office to another till the
discipline of the troop largely fell upon his
shoulders. Aud so the years passed away.
Many changes had come TO the regiment. New
men had come aud old ones gone, officers had
died aud others had been promoted, and still
Serg't Roemer was at his post lie never asked,
scarce thought of, any variety in his life, nor
gave any consideration beyond that of obedi-
ence to an order suddenly detailing him TO ac-
company Maj. Lyall TO Buffalo on recruiting
service.
The night before his departure he was in
formed the Colonel wished TO see him, and
quickly walking across the parade he made his
salute and stood, cap in hand, awaiting the
orders OF the commanding officer. The Colonel
saluted in return, aud then said, with some em-
barrassmeut: " IL IS unnecessary, Sergeant, To
give the reasons why it was thought best on
this occasion to detail man from the regiment
TO accompany Maj. Lyall to Buffalo, but wish
il understood that you were chosen because
have heard of you always faithful to duty,
and / will not send a man who fear
WILL DISGRACE THE REGIMENT.
] expect you 70 bc fully as reliable when be-
yond military restraint as when at your post.
But / have still another reason for selecting
you. IN the city 20 which you arc going re-
sides a lady in whom | take great interest.
She was the wife OF Capt. Dupont, Of your own
company, who was killed IN miserable Indian
raid; let me see. perhaps it WAS before your
time-but no matter After sort, she is. or
should be, the care Of tho regiment, bat her
husband in dying left her specially in my
charge, and have never seen her since Now
j feel anxious, aud want TO know something
about her. ] understand she has n child and
il may be she Is in want-the Captain left next
to nothing. What ! desire is that you shall
use your eyes, aud send me a report"
To say that Scrgt Rocmer was astonished ~
receiving such a commission but family ex-
pressed his feelings. After little hesitation
he said Excuse me, sir; but would not Maj
Lyail be more likely to know Of thisY"
Tie Colonel turned on him iercey, and ex-
claimed, ''- IT, sir did ! ask you for any
advice? Don't you suppose / know my own
business? Maj. Lyall has just come among u.s.
what interest does be take in an old matter
like thisg And then under his breath he
muttered, q ] should be a pretty fool 10 put her
at his mercy!"
But Roemer was not quite scnced yet, aud
he began again, Bot, sir, the lady"
The Colonel interrupted him with an oath,
aud added angrlly, There is no need Of vour
going on this detail IL you DO not wish
10 Didn't tell you that Capt. Dupont COM
manded your company is there a widow
living would not be proud 10 see again the old
uniiorm2 But have thought that you might
need an excuse for meeting her aud have
prepared this letter, which you will deliver
into her own hands, and make me n report of her
surroundings DO you understand what want
done, or are you too stupid 10 attend 10 so small
q matterl"
The Sergeant coored at this speech, but said.
respectfully, " / think / understand what you
wish done. Am not TO mention the matter 10
the Msjor?"
The Colonel stamped his foot with impationce
and exclaimed, Certainly not DO you sup
pose want the matter known throughout the
regimentf"
E0EMER ROSE UP,
and, taking the letter, said Very well sir:
wal! do my best"
The Colonel cooled down little, and said
That is all ] ask Of any man. Write 10 me
when you have anything 70 communicate aud
remember, the reputation OF the til Inf must