Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-02-08

nall way across the longest axis OF the
quadrangle. Company after company,
the white gloved hands claSped IN front
of each man as it's commander ordered
Parade rest" and Col. Morris himself,
who had with much deliberate dignity
of manner marched out in front of the
center. now stood in solitary state with
folded arms and glanced quickly along
the mOtionleSS line, while back Of him
some thirty yards, all along the edge Of
the parade, in buggies, carryallS, BUSES,
in long somber rank afOOt, Central City
looked admiringly on. For "A moment
the main interest seemed to center on
! Lieut. Hearn, and fingers could be seen
pointed. and voices heard announcing,
! That's him." as he stood tall and erect
in front of the troop he was command
ing in old Blauvelt's absence.
With flourish of trumpetS and three
resounding ruflleS the band swept out
from the right front, and then all eyes
were suddenly greeted by an unaccuS-
toned sight On the troops, long
Schooled in military etiquette, the effect
was not at the time Experimentation
| by word nor sign was there indication
| that anything unusual had occurred: but
/ in the populace, long accustomed to
! Individual visits to the fort and to OBJ
Servaton of its military requirements,
Keep of the grass" and by no means
intrude upon the space reserved for mill
! tary exercises, the sensation was lmme-
diate. ElbowiDg his way through the
crowd standing at the edge of the pa
rade ground, with cigar tip tilted in his
mouth, his light spring 0vercoat thrown
back. with the same cool deliberatiOn
that characterized all his movements,
the representative of the Palladium
Sauntered forth upon the sacred pre-
cinctS, and never hesitating until he had
almost reached the commanding officer,
presently came to a species Of parade
rest" of his own, half sitting on the
backs of his hands, which we're support
ed on the head of his massive cane, and
there coolly surveyed the proceedings
from the very spot reserved for the adj
jutant, one yard TO the rear and three 10
the left of the commanding officer.
Some of the soldiers in ranks, unable
to repreSS their merriment at the sight
lof so unusual a breech of etiquette,
could not refrain from tittering. The
voices of the file cloSerS could almost be
heard in stern, low toned reproach.
stop that laughing, Murphy" Quiet,
there, Duffy Morris himself could see
that something unusual was going on,
but, totally unconscious that his own
official precincts were the scene OF the
Solecism, never changed his position.
but stood there Statuesque, Soldierly and
precise, all unconscious of his self APP
l pointed staff officer Slouching behind
him. As for Mr.. Abrams, happy in the
conviction that the people could not but
look on and envy the proud prominence
of the representative of the press, he APP
neared To have no other care than that
of the criticism due the public of the
martial exercises now taking place.
That it was probably the colonel's in
tention TO make speech of some kind
to his men Mr.. Abrams did not doubt,
and that the Palladium should have
every word of it he fully intended.
The band by this time was hammering
half way down the line, and the officer
of th day, coming suddenly in the north
west gate from a visit TO the guard. be-
came aware that something was exciting
the merriment of the few men on the
verandas of the cavalry quarters, and
then caught sight of this strange figure
out on the parade. He looked hurrledly
about in search of the colonels orderly,
but Brooks, as we have seen, had al
ready gone on his mission to the station.
Not soul was there to whom he could
intrust the duty, yet he knew he could
not allow such breach Of military pro-
priety 10 occur right under his eyes.
There seemed no help for it: he had to
20 himself; and, by no means liking his
duty. Capt. Cross. Of the infantry, has
tened out on the parade, and with the
eyes of both lines upon him, though the
heads of the troops remained Scrupu-
lousy fixed to the front, he stepped up
TO Mr.. Abrams, tapped him on the
shoulder, and ciyilly said:
Il beg your pardon. sir. but no one Is
allowed on the parade ground. | shall
have to trouble you to fail back to the
roadway"
Mr.. Abrams looked angrily around.
What. BE compelled TO quit his posi-
tion?-to fall back in humiliation before
all those people and meekly take his po-
Sition among them, and actually TO have
to confess that, after all newspaper
man wasn't the monarch of all he sur
veyed? Never
I'm here in the interest of the journal
represent. and | have full authority
from the commanding general to inspect
anything at this post" was his instant
answer, accompanied by Shrug of his
shoulders and an ugly ScOwl.
II cannot help that" was Cross cool
yet civil reply. you can see just as
well from the edge Of the parade, and
here you will be in the way"
Il can't see it clear back there, and |
mean to stay where can see and hear
If there's anything | don't understand
wish TO be where Col Morris can eX-
plain"
Thanks to the banging of the band, all
this was inaudible to the colonel, who
remained in blisSful ignorance Of the
colloQuy taking place so near him.
'.You cannot stay here, sir" was the
firm, low toned answer. Il will take
pains to explain everything to you after
YOU retire some twenty yards, but !
trust YOU will not make it necessary for
me TO be more imperative. come, SIT
And SO. with the worst possible grace
Mr.. Abrams had to give ground, and
accompanied by the officer of the day
fall back TO the general throng. To
cover his modification as much As pos
sitle. Cross. in smiling and courteous
manner. went on to explain the purpose
and details of the parade. But Abrams
only turned angrily away. Twice he
essaved to stop and face about, but
Cross was getting his blood up by this
time. and detcrminedly marched along
to the very edge of the tittcring line Of
townspeople, and there, raising his cap.
said with the utmost ciyility;
"And now, sir, if can be of the faint
est assistance in making this ceremony
cIear 10 Won. command me. You will
. Il, ,Ifrfnnt eou1fOp ont