San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-01-26


'"Then how could you find the heart
to laugh, Mrs. Lane?" said the major,
raising his cap with simulated reproach
of mien. docs it amuse you to see
fellow mortaIs fayed alive? Is it not
bad enough that, like Sir Peter Teazle, /
am never out of Mrs. Graves sight but
that know I've left my character be-
hind me? The doctor and | were Won
dering whether there was vestige left
of the good impression we strove to
make upon Miss Marshall"
I'm sure you ruined all possibility of
that three days ago, major, when you
showed her what cynical old party
you were. No wonder the young officers
in our regiment lose all love for their
profession after hearing you talk. If l
were Col. Morris l wouldn't have you
communicating the ieutenants of the
Eleventh the way you were trying it on
Mr.. Hearn the other day."
where is Mr.. Hearn, by the way?"
asked Mrs. Lane, eager to put an end to
such an Improbable controversy. He
hasn't been in here for nearly two days.
Come, major-come, doctor, walk in and
sit awhile. We want to hear how Corp.
Brent is, too"
Brent seems easier, Mrs. Lane, thank
you," answered the surgeon. 81 cannot
stop just now; we came over to meet the
mail, for the orderly seems to have an
unusually big load this morning. Here
ooBae the Youngsters up from the post
aaice now"
And as he spoke perhaps half dozen
young cavalrymen, still in their riding
boots and spurs, as though they had but
Just returned from drill, came slowly up
the slope Wharton had an open news
paper which he was reading aloud: the
others were hanging about him, evident
ly listening with absorbed attention, to
the neglect of their own letters.
whats the matter with the boys?'
asked Kenyon, whimsically, as they ap,
| preached. "They look as solemn as
owls"
Naturally all eyes We're drawn toward
the coming party. Lane, bending for.
ward, saw that Hearn's face was pale
even under the coat of tan and sunburn
| He would have passed them by, simply
lifting his cap, as Wharton half folded
the paper when thegroup filedin through
the main gate, but again Kenyon spoke
"What makes you look so like a pack
of mutes, lads? What's gone wrong? Is
congress sailing into us AGAIN.
"Maj. Kenyon" said Martin, deliber.
ately, hating in front of the gate, 81
said some disparaging things about your
remarks here the other day. beg your
pardon, sir. You were right; was
wrong. Hold on, Hearn; don't go now
and brood over this thing. Stay here
with the crowd, and we'll take it all to-
gether."
Lane had half risen, anxiety deepen
ing in his dark gray eyes:
what is it, Hearn? Come in here,
come in, all of you"
And Georgia Marshall, glancing from
one face to another, noted the silence
and gravity that had fallen on each.
Some looked full of Suppressed wrath,
others simply perplexed and annoyed.
WlbuOuJ u WOIu W Ouc II
stepped in and stood beside her chair.
"You best know your own papers,
major; you read this aloud" said Martin.
And Kenyon, looking about in mo-
mentary surprise, unfolded the great
pages of the Chicago daily. His eyes
cleaned as they caught the heavy head
lines at the top of the sheet.
"Hellol hellol what's this?" he said.
"Army Brutality. Outrageous Treat
ment of Private Soldiers. Civilians In
suited and Abused. A Thug in Shoulder
Straps. Lieut.. Hearn Cowardly Bully.
Special Dispatch to The Palladium.
| Central City, May 3.-For years past the
citizens of this thriving frontier town
have had frequent cause for complaint
as to the staggering and insolent bearing
| of the officers of the army stationed
at the neighboring post of Fort Ryan;
but of late the feeling has reached fever
heat, due to recent occurrences which
attracted widespread attention. Acting
under instructions, your correspondent
reached this city five days ago, and has
made a thorough, impartial, and ex-
haustive investigation into the matter;
has talked with many, if not all, of the
prominent citizens; has personally
visited the post and conversed with a
number of intelligent enlisted men; and,
as result of his painstaking observa-
tons, he is enabled to send you the fol-
lowing account, for the absolute accu-
racy of every detail of which he vouches
unreservedly.
$50 far as the enlisted men are con-
cerned, the people have no complaint to
make. 1t is, indeed, the contemplation