Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1891-04-09

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Corp. Stein aCds at their heels.
The week that followed the advent at
Fort Ryan of the staff officer from divi-
sion headquarters was one that the good
people at the post have not yet ceased
talking about. Lawler had remained in
the garrison only twenty-four hours, and
went back eastward without word as
to his intentions, and, to the surprise Of
even Col. Morris, without having sent
for or spoken to the man most interested
in his coming-Lieut. Hearn. This in
itself was something that excited most
unfavorable comment, for it was known
that he had had long interviews with
Mr.. Abrams, the busy representative of
the press, and that he had driven in
town to spend some hours in questioning
certain dubious looking citizens pre-
sented to him one by one at the estab-
lishment Of Mr.. Schonberg. He had
furthermore sent to the guard house for
Trooper Welsh-once again there incar-
cerated by order of Capt. Cross, who as
officer Of the day had arrested him for
attempting to slip across a sentry's post
the previous night. And once again, to
the dismay Of the cavalry officers and
the unconcealed ridicule of the infantry
battalion, Col. Morris had directed
Welsh's immediate release.
"Itwas misunderstanding, probably,
Capt. Cross" said the colonel in con-
ciliatory mood to the old officer Of tie
day, as he relieved him after guard
mount welsh was given to under
stand that these gentlemen, who had
just come from an interview with Col.
Lawler, had the authority of the depart
ment commander to take him to town
with them, SO as to be ready to make
certain depositions early in the morn
ing"
But Cross eyed his commander ,un-
fiinchingly and said no word.
Among the infantry officers the opin-
ion was openly expressed that between
Abrams and Lawler and Trooper Welsh
the colonel was simply demoralized.
The crowd at dress parade for several
evenings was almost as big as that be-
fore spoken of, and, though The Palla-
dunn man did not again take position on
the colonel's left during the ceremony
itself, he was frequently at that officers
side when he made his way through the
curious throngs both in going to and re-
turning from his post. And afterward,
with the eyes of the townspeople upon
them, Private Welsh and the unterrified
correspondent paced up and down the
road in front of the cavalry barracks for
half an hour; and the group sitting on
Lanes piazza one evening especially
could not help noting how ostentatiously
the two conversed as they neared the
white wicket gate.
Wharton" quoth Martin, as for the
sixth or seventh time the swarthy troop
er and his champion approached the cap
tain's quarters, '.Tm consumed with
envy. The time was when good looking
cavalrymen like you and me could COM
mand some small attention from the eyes
of our friends and fellow citizens in
town; but our day is done. These are
the popular heroes Of the hour Now,
here comes Hearn's first sergeant. Sure
ly he's not going to have the unbearable
effrontery to remind Trooper Welsh that
he ought to be cleaning up for guard
tomorrow, when agentleman of the press
wants to talk with him."
is Welsh for guard tomorrow" asked
Capt. Lane, in some surprise.
''He is. The colonel relieved him
from durance vile before guard mount
this morning, and I heard the first ser
geant tel Hearn an hour ago that it was
Welsh's turn for guard, and wanted to
know whether he was to order him OF
not. Hearn said certainly"
Sand the man cut parade tonight on
plea that Mr.. Abrams wanted to talk
with him. He was the 'one private alb
sent reported from G troop" said Whar-
ton. s'That is the reason the sergeant il
after him now, fancy, either to arrest
him or else warn him for guard"
"H | were Hearn I'd quit attempting
TO dispicline that young man" said Maj
Kenyon, pessimistic and glowering a:
ever. s.He ought to have sense enough
to know that the worst blackguard il
the service, with the press behind him
is more than match for any officer who
seeks to do his duty"
.'And if l were Hearn," drawled Mar
tin, ''Td make that particular protege o.
The Palladium do his duty if / died fol
it, especially after the marked copies
that came today. Now watch"
The first sergeant, trim, soldierly
fellow with determined face and manner
and quick energetic step, had by thii
time overtaken the pair, who strolline
| together had almost reached the picket
fence and were within earshot of the
Lanes piazza. Mrs. Lane glanced eager
ly up the road, for Miss Marshall anf
Lieut.. Hearn at that very moment came
from the Whartons' quarters next doc
and appeared upon the gravel walk
Wallace following with Jeanette Nc
Crea.
Sergt Wren had stopped short OF
overtaking the trooper, and with scan
ceremony addressed him in tones that al
| could hear:
"Welsh, you're for guard tomorrow
and you've got mighty little time il
which to get ready. Did the lieutenan
excuse you from parade?'
81 didn't ask him. Col. Lawler wa
| good enough for me-"
'sCol. Lawler left the post at 5 o'clocl
and couldn't have wanted you.
ssAll the same was acting under hi.
orders and nobody else's. If You wan