Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-03-20
him on duty Mt any price.

Il
evening stables they had rung the
changes on Welsh's excellent family
connections, his American blood, his
patriotic motives in enlisting, his ardor
for the flag and his fidelity to his oath,
until he was ready to wish to heaven
The Palladium had singled out anybody
else TO be the martyr for its preconcert-
ed exposition of official tyranny in the
army and heartily sick Of the part he
had been induced to play.
But where, meantime, was Abrams?
Tho day wore by and not once had he
come to the garrison, and Welsh, sulkily
plodding up and down his muddy post
near the stables, and knowing we'll that
every time the men looked at him or
nudged each other in the ribs they were
guying him, had earnest desire to see
his champion, and to prevent the publ
cation Of other letters they had project
ed, since the only effect, locally, of the
assault upon the good name Of his young
officer was TO bring down the indigna-
ton of the enlisted men upon himself.
1t only made him rage the more spite
fully against Hearn, and lie longed for
an opportunity to vent his spleen.
( When the devil is working in the
human breast opportunity is seldom
lacking. The evening gun had thun-
dered, the last notes Of the ''retreat"
had died away, and the sun, that had
been obscured ell morning, went down
in golden radiance, leaving sheen of
beautiful color lingering along the crest
Of the opposite bluffs and reflected in
myriad millions of rain drops still cling
ing to the clumps of buffalo grass.
Tempted by the loneliness Of the even
ing Mrs. Lane had ordered out her car
riage, and the moment the report had
been made after retreat roll call and Mr..
Hearn was returning sadly to his own
quarters Lane headed him off:
"No. I'm going to take you away
from Wallace and Martin tonight, and |
don't mean to let old Kenyon get his
hands on you again. Mrs. Lane and
Miss Marshall want You to drive with
us an hour or so; then We'll come back
and have quiet little bite among our
selves And Hearn pressed the cap
tain's hand and silently thanked him.
Half dozen Of the guard were seated
about theron stone porch Of the gloomy
old guard house as the carriage came
rolling by, and at sight of the occupants
they quickly laid aside their pipes and
respectfully arose and raised their hands
in salute. Tho sentry on No. /, facing
sharply to the front, brought his rifle to
the carry with II snap that made the bay
onet ring. The one man who remained
riage wore the cavalry uniform; it was
Welsh.
Both officers noticed the fact as thev
touched their caps in acknowledgements
of the courtesy Of the infantrymen, and
exchanged significant chances The la
dies, too, were quick to note what had
happened, aad they, too, looked at each
other and then somewhat anxiously at
Hearn. But the carriage whirled along.
The instant it had passed Corp. Stein
turned on Welsh. SO did others of the
guard,
What do you mean by sitting there
like that?' was the demand.
II know my business" was the surly
reply. Just you tend to yours. You'd
better study tactics and regulations be
fore you try TO learn me anything"
ooh, do let the high spirited scion Of
our finest families alone, corporal
Can't you gee it's turning his stomach tc
he civil to anybodYY protested a tall In
fantryman.
"Ah, let mp now on Mr.. Welsh, ne
Mulligan-thats what they called we il
tho Twenty third-wasn't it Mulligan
or was 1t Sullivan? Sure I know the
family, and it's foine one" protested
Private Kelly, his blue eyes twinkline
with fun.
Welsh sprang furiously TO his feet
clinching his fist and making straight
for the laughing little dough boy.
That young Celt, though head shorter
than his dark antagonist, in no wise
Disconnected, stood squarely facing him
and awaited the attack with a grin o.
genuine delight on his freckled face
Stein sprang forward, however, and in
terposed.
mo fighting here" he ordered. "Wait
till you're OF guard in the morning ant
settle it then"
Don't thwart the gentleman, cor
poral. Here comes his friend the police
reporter" laughed the group of guards
men. But the unusual chaf had sum
moned the officer Of tho guard to the
spot, and at sight Of the lieutenant every
lrishman in the party ssumed an in
Simultaneous expression OF preternatura
innocence. Mr.. Abrams, too, had reinef
up in front of the traders store, few
yards away, and noting the little kno
or s1Iulers pCcruS u'lcas Ine road dl-
vined at once that something was going
on, and 80, with the instinct OF his pro-
tession, FASTENED to the scene in time to
catch a part of the colloquy that ensued.
Tine corporal tells me the trouble
grew ont of your refusing to rise and
salute when Capt. Lane passed." said
the officer Of tho guard, addressing the
stalwart trooper.
Welsh glanced furtively over his shout
der until sure The Palladium man was
in range of his voice, and then loudly
replied:
Pm member of the guard, sir, and
the regulations forbid guards paying
] nr,1i, af l. ,ff