Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-21

that one handsome trooper was seen imbibing
bottle of cider. This rumor is indignantly
denied by Capt Barbour. and Lieut. Ferguson
says such thing would have been impossible
without his seeing it The road after this
stop was over became dustier and
dustier, throats became dryer and
dryer. One man patheticallv remarks that e1-
pecting to he busy and thinking rain probable
he had written long letter to his wife which
was to be mailed tomorrow in which he de-
scribed the ride as fearfully muddy.
The troop with all Its accessories and para
phernalia was an imposing spectacle about this
time. even dust begrimed as they were. In
a general way the company marched in
files of two with Captain Barbour aud
the two bugiers in front. behind came the am
buance wagon, which accompanied the cavalry
on their trip down; a light wagon and the
troops watering cart, and thereby hangs a
tale.
THE WATERING CART,
as has already been stated in THE STAR, is e1-
ceedingly dear to the heart Of the company. 1t
was gift from Mr.. +. springman and 10 the
only one of its kind in the militia.
The wagon carries two 25-galon bar
reis and when the troop left
tie city one of these barrels was filed with ice
water and the other with iced lemonade.
In view OF the considerable time which
the cart is expected to be used there Was
considerable amount of pulverized charcoal
to purify the water. This did not add to the
beauty of the beverage. but did not detract
from the taste. The liquids we're. however,
looked on with suspicioa and few had the
nerve to try it
1T WAS TOO BLACK FoR THEM.
Just at the most dusty part of the road Pri-
Yates Breme and Fosberg had their windpipes
entirely closed and started 10 fall back to the
water. The cart was over q mile behind and
by the time dusty pilgrims reached it
oil ~
Balaklava from their minds. but the sight of
that water was too much and the unsatisfed
troops lived in close communion with thirst for
several miles more. At the dinner halt
the true virtues OF the charcoaled liquids
were made manifest and the barrels were
rapidly emptied. the particular ones who
had refused the contents of the barrels
during the morning vert bitter. scorching
tears. and the dust on Breme's face combined
with the salt tears rendered the genteman's
features slngularly picturesque and notified.
INCIDENTS OF THE TRIP.
Nothing is more plaintivc than the wonder
full cry of the whippoorwll and nothing is more
ludicrous than the muffled shrek of an impris-
oned seven-year-old hen The sound is also
suspicious when 1t comes from the inner recesses
OF a cavalrymans blouse Orders against for
aging were rigidy enforced during the trip,
but 1t Is certain that one grandmother here has
left her friends and mourning relatives for
ever and aye. When the eating commences
the venerable layer of eggs will probably get
her revenge.
Tho stop for dinner was made at Wcir's
store, where the horses were unsadded and
tied out while the men discussed
the lunches they had brought in
the saddle bags. There was church
close, struggling along under the title of
Frogs Eye Church" Service was almost over
when the troop arrived. but the pastor kindly
offered to repeat the service for the benefit of
the cavalry. From lack of time the kind offer
was declined.
After lunch rest pure and unauthorized was
the order of the day for half an hou.
The cavalry troop have very foxy captain,
as was shown to the disgust and dismay
of fifteen unfortunate individuals dur
ing the dinner hour. A number
of members of the company had from one
cause or another lost considerable amount OF
sleep Saturday night. This fact WAS mentioned
to the captain, probably with the view of NOV
ing his tender heart, so that the men might
be allowed to fall out little oftener
than would usually be allowed,
but these trusting guardsmen little knew or
as they say in novels, rocked their captains
high moral nature and Brutus' ideas Of
justice, for each and every contidng
cavalryman was named the guard
for the coming night. Capt. Barbour says he
is given to this sort of thing and it arises from
his untiring efforts to perfect the morality Of
his command. He does not believe
in late hours, and if members Of
his troop are unfortunately given to the habit
he believes in giving them all the night serv-
ice they could possibly desire. The members
of company A, however. will be very chary
during camp in letting the captain know of any
late hours.
IN SADDLE AGAIN.
Many heartfelt sigh went up when the call
for saddling sounded after dinner. The entire
population had turned out to do honor to the
visitors, and as the troop filed off a mighty
cheer aroSe from the five boys and
one man leaning up against the fence The
afternoon ride was hardly dusty the
mornings, the route leading for considerable
spaces through shaded woods.
The next stop was Oh simple road There
was not cider dispensary in sight. but still
the stop marked by meeting. Several
guardsmen felt yearnng for milk and they
got it, too, but it was almost necessary to walk
over the dead body OF a sergeant who was
guarding the dead line
RECOGNIZING FAMILIAR SCENES.
The company, after this incident, were get
ting near the camp. Members who were down
with the guard last summer began to recog-
nize old landmarks.
'Same old fence as last year, same old Or
chard and the same family at the door. but,
by Jimmy. no-yes, Eurrah, boys, there 8
another kid.'
What's its name, Auntie?'
Everything is just the same, yes. and
cricky, there are the same spring chickens as
last year."
Gc1xS