The National tribune., 1890-05-08
TRACY TREMMEI..
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lnAU1 i MEM vi ILL.
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mitted, so that in a few seconds they were all in
a nigh mix, with every man trying to march in
a different way, except the man with the big
drum, who was so confused that he merely
stood still and -tbumped away desperately on
bis "sheepskin piano." as Quin calls it, The
big, dignifed Drum Major lost his temper en-
hrely and began poking the musicians around
into place with his great baton, swearing all
the time in explosive German The whole
thing was so intensely funny that the regiment
burst into a yell of laughter and the Adjutant
looked as if he would have a spasm.
Silence in the ranks" he shouted "Pll
buck and gag the next man who utters a
sound"
One of the Coloners hands went to the hilt
OF his sword and the other tugged ut his mus
tach. lie appeared as if he would burst if he
did not say something. but he recovered him
self aud resumed his attitude, while the band
came back sheepishly, playing the regulation
quickstep in a random. dsjointed way.
The Adjutaut, who is a slender, handsome
graceful man. and carries himself in a way that
have resolved to initiate rs far as | can,
marched down the front Of the regiment to
the center with a quick, springy step and an
erect carriage that excited the admiration of
every one of u.s. and then out to halfway be-
tween the Colonel and us, when he faced about
rs if touched spring had whisked him around
on pivot, and commanded:
"Salute!"
Again we aroused his wrath by not knowing
what TO do, and no had to explain TO us that
we must all raise our right hands, with the
fingers closed, to the yizors Of our caps. Then
he whirled, as if the spring had been touched
again. brought the point of his sword nearly
to the ground, md said in clear, ringing
voice:
90 Sir, the parade is formed"
Take your place, sir. ;" commanded the Colo
mel, dropping his hands TO his sides, and drawing
his sword, while the Adjutant marched up
briskly, and took a position behind him and to
his left.
Carry arms!" commanded the Colonel
Again we did not know what he meant,
until he explained that we must drop OUT hands
to our sides, which was glad enough to DO, for
my ARIA was very tired with holding it in that
position. The Colonel proceeded to make a
speech.
1t is customary he said, " for a Colonel to
put his men through a fe exercises on dress
parade TO test their proficiency in drill but this
IS at present impossible. ] am amazed-utterly
amazed-at the ignorance Of the simplest sol
dieriy movements which you display. This is
almost wholly the fault Of your officers. It
must be changed at once. You are here as
soldiers OF YOUR country, and soldiers in reality
why. Tomorrow morning must see industri-
Gus drilling begun, and every hour not given
10 sleep bc devoted to acquiring the move
ments and the manual Of arms ] shall take
no excuse for Ignorance on the part Of anyone.
You are here TO learn the duties of a soldier, so
as to serve as you should your country, who
needs God knows your best efforts So far az
/ am able, am determined that she shall have
the very best that you are capable Of doing
snail hold every officer responsible for his
iuil share of the work OF preparing YOU for
your duties, aud there will be no end of trouble
for those who are derelict. The work before
us Is arduOus, and the time for preparation
very brief. Every other thought but that of
lifting yourselves for soldiers must be put out
OF mind. Adjutant dismiss the parade"
The Adjutant marched back to his old posi-
tion, midway been the Colonel and the line,
aud commanded IN loud tone:
Parade is dismissed. The Orderly-Ser-
geants viii take command Of their respective
companies aud march them TO their quarters.
he commissioned officers viii face inward5,
aud form on the AdiGtant."
At which he sheathed his sword and marched
forward to a position in the center of the line
OF commissioned officers who at his command,
laced awkwardly enough % the front and
marched up 10 the Colonel, who gave them
lecture as 10 their duties while Burt COnuers
marched us back to our quarters, the band in
the meanwhile playing lively march.
What do you think of the Colonel?" was
IN cverybody's mouth, as we broke ranks and
gathered into groups.
"W-h-e-w!" said Ian Green, when / put
the question to him.
BE sowl, bat amt he military" said Quin.
Wants To make the Quane's own Granny
dears out av US in a holy minute"
Veil, dinks he iss righd,' said Herman.
II ye are going to pc sOlchers led us pc
soichers-de sooner de PETER"
think be is an ovcrbearin' old bruiser,"
put IN job; "a domineerin' Regular Army
martinez. who's been in the habit o. treatin'
the men under him rs il they hadn't souls o.
their own-only cattle to be driven hither and
yon, at his maiesty's pleasure. He'll find ont
that he's got different class o men to deal with
We camc out here to fght for our country, not
TO be kicked and cuffed about aud lorled over
by some ieller who's got little temporary aU-
thorty."
He puts on entirely too many airs chimed
in Burt Conners, siding in with us for the first
time. There's just as good men in the regi-
ment rs he is, and he can't treat us as il he was
an overseer on a plantation, and We the niggers.
Military is military but there's no sense in
such Regular Army airs and graces"
confess | sympathize with Jo6 and Burt
/ want to be a good soldier, and do my duty as
YOU would have me, but don't want to be
crushed down into a mere thing as they are in
the Regular Army. / do not see any necessity
for it, VIII groyeing at the feet of His Lord
ship make us fight any better OF die more
brayely? | cannot see why.
When you talk TO Agnes Braisted about ne
please do not say a word about the badly fitting
clothes or any OF the other distasteiul things /
have told yon about. Tell her that we are NIL
getting along nicely, and anxious to meet the
enemy in battle-aTTay. Please tell me ali she
says about me.
Your loving son, TRACY.
ITO be coHiiHusGl
Judging by Appearances.