San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-01-21

these four mem he asked.
Yes, sir. Indeed / would not play
without them. We would far better let
the game go by default than have the
record published, as it assuredly would
be, in the army as well as the local pa
pers, with all the errors scored against
us. This nine of ours has not been beaten
by any team in the department as yet,
and it would be IA unearned victory for
Fort Lawrence
Colonel Morris sat keenly studying
the young soldiers face. He made DO
answer for a moment, and when he
spoke it was of an utterly irrelevant
matter:
Have You not served somewhere under
my command before this, corporal?'
The color sprang to Brent's face. There
was an instant of hesitation, then irru
but respectful answer:
Nowhere, sir. | have been in the
army only two years, and this is my first
station since leaving the depot at David's
island" Then, as though eager to get
back to more pressing matter, IF the
| colonel will not consider me as propos-
| ing compromise, and will take it as it
| is meant, | can promise, think, that
| there will be no more of this night
prowlipg across the parade, on the part
| of our men at least"
Morris looked sharply up from under
his shaggy brows:
what do you mean? What men
would have any occasion to cross the pa
rade but the infantry
Il mean, in al respect, sir, that there
may be men, or at least a man, who hav-
ing no occasion 10 cross the parade will
do so simply for the sake of making
trouble In plain words, u cavalryman,
| sir"
| The adjutant, sitting at his desk,
dropped his pen and looked quickly up,
and the sergeant major. going out with
bundle of papers, found means to halt
at the Office door. as though to hear what
might follow. Mr.. Mason, the adjutant,
turned quietly. caught the sergeant ma
jor's eye and gave quick but express
| i've Jerk of the head in the direction of
the outer room. The sergeant major took
| the hint and vanished.
But the clerks had heard the corporal's
intimation that some trooper was con-
nected with the transgression for which
the ball playing quartet We're confined.
The door was Immediately closed, leav-
ing them to draw their own differences
aud make their own comments. They
lid not hear the colonels next remark:
IF any man in the cavalry is guilty in
this matter there is only one whom can
suspect. Can You name him."
Corp. Brent flushed again, but finally
replied, Il beg the colonel not to ask me
to answer. when, as | said before, | have
no proof whatever"
| Col. Morris turned and poudered a
moment. Finally he whirled about in
his revolving chair:
Corp. Brent, if these four men were
of my own regiment / would certain
ly refuse your request. As matters
stand / will not spoil the chances of the
Rifle nine. They viii therefore be
turned over to you to take their part in
the game, and tomorrow must stand
their trial before the garrison court"
| And when Corp. Brent left the Office.
infinitely rejoiced, the colonel turned
to his staff officer:
Where do you suppose the recruiting
officers picked up Il fellow like that? He
has the language of an educated man."
He was enlisted in New York." was
the reply, "and have frequently noted
him on guard. They tell me he has more
influence over tho men in his battalion
than any other non-commissioned officer,
and am glad he has promised that there
will be no more of this night business. "
| And yet, two days afterward, the
colonel sent for Corp. Brent to say that
the agreement was being violated. Three
soldiers had been seen running from the
southwest gate across the parade the
night before. The sentry had been
taken off on the strength of the arrange
ment: the Rife nine had won the game
amidst great enthusiasm, and there was
liberal transfer of treasury notes in
consequence. The infantry and many
of the cavalrymen were rejoicing in un-
accustomed wealth between pay days,
and applications for passes to visit town
had been of unusual number. The four
culprits had pleaded guilty to their Of
Tense and been awarded some light fine.
The dough boys" fully approaching
the colonel's consideration in the matter,
as fully meant to stand BY tneir promise
to Brent. 1t was with not a little feeling,
therefore, that they received the news
| that the compact was violated.
That Saturday evening, in some mys-
FERROUS way, Corp. Mullen OF the guard
sprained his wrist just after tattoo, and
| though Brent was not the next man on