Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1891-02-26

man, OF a gambler, or-anything else, y
says Mrs. Morris, with proper spirit,
''my husband would have been apt to
know it; butt
''Oh, it wasn't that" interposed Mrs.
Brodie. And just at this instant three OF
four officers came cantering up the slope,
taking advantage of brief rest to pay
their devoirs to the fair spectators.
Miss Marshall noted that, as this
group approached, the buggy with its
Objectionable occupants drove slowly
away in the direction Of the fort. Half
an hour later, as they were bowling rap
idly homeward over the hard prairie
road, they came upon the infantry bat
talon, also slzirmishing Everybody
but the guard seemed out at drill, and
the post was practically deserted. En-
tering the garrison limits Cassius, the
colored coachman, guided his bays down
the slope between the guard house and
the post traders store and then up the
incline to the southwest gate, preferring
this road to going along the garrison in
front of the barracks of the men. The
ladies were chatting blithely, but both
Miss Marshall and Miss Wharton noted
that the buggy with the gray horse was
halted at the store railing, and at the
door stood the two men in civilian dress
and third in the undress uniform of
the cavalry.
All three stared intently at the occu-
pants of the barouche with that singular
expression of mingled impudence and
familiarity which is SO marked a char
acteristic of the street 1oafers always
hanging about the corners Of certain
thoroughfares of our western cities,
where the police are not yet instructed
in those rules of civilization which re-
quire such parties to be moving on. As
the ladies were whirled by Mr.. Schon-
berg was seen to wink expressively, and
the soldier, dark faced, beetle browed
fellow, with his hands in his pockets,
looked after them and grinned.
''How annoyed Mr.. Hearn would be- -
said Miss Wharton, ''if he could have
seen that performance
"What do you mean, Lucy? Those
horrid men again?' asked her sister; who,
being on the back seat with Mrs. Lane,
had not seen the soldiers face after they
passed him by.
"The men are impertinent, certainly;
one expects nothing better of that class
of people, but all the soldiers are so re-
spectful and courteous to our ladies, gen
orally, it is a pleasure to meet them.
Haven't you noticed how different they
are from-well. from that one, Miss
Marshall?''
''Yes, indeed, not only here, but in the
old artillery barracks where l once visit
ed. | am sure Mrs. Curtis, my cousin,
knew the name of every man in the two
batteries, and always had a pleasant
word for them when we met. They al
ways took off their caps, though some Of
the old sergants, to be sure, saluted just
as they would to an officer. This man
was contrast to the general rule"
Perhaps he is not of our regiment, y
suggested Mrs. Lane, ssand does not
know the ladies"
"Unluckily he is Of ours, said Mrs.
Wharton. "That is Welsh, of @ troop,
and he was Capt Blauyelts striker.
Mr.. Wharton says he is bad character,
and that there was something very
STRANGE about the way the captain kept
him by him all the time he was here.
Why isn't he at drill, wonderfn
Possibly he's on guard said Mrs.
Lane. "The guard house is only a
|stone's throw away"
"He's never far from the guard house, -
laughed Mrs. Wharton, as she sprang
from the carriage at the Lanes gate.
E'But he's not on guard today, unless he
mas taken off his belts. Therel they
have gone into the bar. How I wish
the colonel would close that placer
Half an hour later, all in glow after
their rapid drill, four or five young Of
ficers strobe, laughing and chatting,
into the club room at the store. and
throwing off belts, caps and gaunt-
lets proceeded to bury their mustaches
in the foaming glasses of cool beer
which the attendant promptly supplied.
Over on the other side of the establish
ment loud voices could be heard in ami
mated talk. and presently Lieut.. Lee
called out to the attendant to close the
door leading into the bar. Mr.. Stone.
the trader, entered at the moment, look
ing @ trifle vexed.
Those men are making quite racket
in there, Stone. Who are they?7 asked
the lieutenant.
"a couple of fellows from town and
Welsh, of G troop"
"Welshr' exclaimed Mr. Hearn, who
was glancing over the pages of late
paper. why, he has no business here!
That man is on sick report, under the
doctors care. Has he been drinking?'
''They've all been drinking, more or
less. If had known Welsh was on sick
report would have told Billy not to
sell him anything"
''Why, that man was told that he
must stay in quarters all the time the
command was at drill. It's rule in the
troop when a man is excused from anv
duty he must remain in quarters during
the performance of it. Just tell him to
step outside" said the lieutenant. ''Say
wish to see him." And picking up his
cap and gauntlets Mr.. Hearn strolled
from the room and went around to the
east front. There, through the open
doorway, the conversation within be-
came distinctly audible, and Capt.
Brodie, of the infantry, who was Of
ficer of the day, returning from his
morning inspection of the sentries down
about the wood yards, hearing the loud
talk, turned and came rapidly over
toward the store.
who do you say wants me?s Welsh's
voice was heard to ask, as he stood un-
steadily at the bar.
'The heutenant-Lieut. Hearn, man;
he's waiting for you outside" said the
bartender, in tones that plainly told his
anxiety.
He be d-dl amt under ms ordersl
I'm on sick report. The post surgeon is
the only man who can give me orders to-
day, and don't you forget itl''
go instantly, Welsh, or I'll call for
the guard" said Mr.. Stone. you're
more than half drunk now. Don't give
that man another drop, Kirby. Go at
once, Welsh" And now Lieut.. Hearn's
erect figure appeared in the doorway.
Welsh, come here, was all he said.
Slowly and with surly mien the soldier
turned. glowering at his superior, set
down the glass and then slouched across
the floor toward the young officer, but
halted short of the doorway.
Come out here, sir" said the lieuten-