San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-01-22
Az iRMY PORTIA.
By CHARLES KING, q. s. A.,
Arthor of "The Coloneps Daughter, ""The
Deserter," From the Ranks" Dun
rd1en Ranch" "TtCo Soldiers"


ment with them.
Corp. Quinn, seeing him approach the
quarters, had given word to the men,
and those of them who We're in shirt
sleeves jumped into their flannel blouses,
while others knocked the ashes out of
their pipes and put them away. Three
or four We're seated around a little table
playing cards, and among these was the
gypsy fellow Welsh, who had been there
ever since guard mount. These men,
too, sprang to their hunks and straight
ened up some items of their exits" but
Welsh still sat at the table grumbling at
the interruption to the game. PUT up
those cards, Welsh" said a sergeant
bluntly. "Here comes the lieutenant"
What do l care?' was the surly an
swer. I'm not under his orders. He's
got no authority over me-"
do as | tell you, and be quick about
it," was the reply.
"Do it yourself; they amt my cards.
didn't put them there" answered the
man, with an ugly CLEAN in his black
eyes, while he drew from one pocket a
piece of channels skin and from the other
one Of the captains big brass spurs.
There was no time for further remark.
attention." came the order from the
sergeant, who happened to be nearest
the door, and the lieutenant entered.
Every man on the instant whipped off
his cap, and, facing the middle of tho
long room, stood erect at the foot of his
bunk-every man except one. With his
cap on the back of his head, his matted
hair hanging down over his eyes, Welsh
sat there at the table coolly polishing
the spur.
Get up there, Welsh" growled in low,
stern tones the first sergeant. "Off with
that cap, sir"
For all answer Welsh cooked his head
on one side, and, apparently unmindful
of the presence of an officer, became crit
ically and approvingly absorbed in study
ing the polish which he was imparting to
the smooth surface of the spur.
did you hear that order? Come to
attention, sirr repeated the sergeant.
And the men, astonished atthe breach of
discipline, looked curiously at the re-
cruit, now slowly and scowlingly find
ing his feet. He had not removed his
cap when the lieutenant stood before
him.
why did You not rise with the other
men, Welsh" asked Mr.. Hearn, in a
quiet and deliberate tone oddly at vari-
ance with his usually quick and snappy
manner, and the young officer looked
straight into the soldiers eyes as he
spoke.
Didn't suppose l had to-" was the
sullen reply.
why notT
We'll, tactics say soldiers actually at
work don't have to rise and salute Of
fcers."
"And what work were you doing?'
Work for the captain-cleaning his
spurs"
There was strange silence in the
room. This was new Interpretation,
and for recruit decidedly an original
one.
Where did you learn that idea,
Welsh?' asked the lieutenant, still calm
ly, though his blue eyes began to dilate
in way that indicated how thoroughly
he appreciated the mans defiant man
ner.
well, no matter; learned it,"
"You have had q very bad teacher,
sir. Take your hand out of that pocketP
An ugly scowl had settled on Welst's
downcast face. He had stuffed the
channels skin in his blouse pocket, and
still stood there in a slouching attitude,
with his cap on the back of his head
Slowly, in obedience to the order, he low
cred his hand to the side.
Now take your cap off"
One could have heard pin drop all
over the big room.
Forty men stood there in silence, listen
ing breathlessly to this strange and I'M
usual colloquy. Reluctantly, yet over
awed by the steady gaze in the blue
eyes of the young officer, Welsh's hand
went up to the cap, then tossed it angri-
ly some distance away. If he expected
rebuke on that score it was not forth
coming.
Now get your heels together and
stand attention"
you've got no right to order me
around like this, Lieut.. Hean. I'm on
duty for the captain, l am-not for any
second lieutenant"
For an instant every nerve and muscle
in the officers athletic frame seemed to
culver. His blueeyes blazed with wrath
and his lips set firmly under the blonde
mustache.
There was moment of deathlike 81 |
lence, q gasp or two among the men.
C..a-L NEL....,,- l,,.n-,unl ,--nntlnn,.hnntn,, |