Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-02-19

"Wefl, that's what you get for being
in the army, my boy. Three days ago
you were taking issue with me at Lanes
because | said if had my life to live
over again the army was the very last
profession I'd seek in this country, and
you thought you loved it. Here's Lane,
now" he continued, as the gray eyed
captain strolled up and laid his hand
kindly on the young officers shoulder
I'm trying to pull Hearn out of the
grumps, Lane Haul him along with us,
or he'll be doing something desperate
You remember how enthusiastic he was
three days ago-loved his profession,
would rather be soldier than railway
magnate. wouldn't swap his commission
for million in the four per cents. Fetch
him along"
And between them, half laughing,
half sympathetic, the two officers con-
voyed their junior toward the shaded
veranda where were seated Mrs Lane.
Miss Marshall and other ladies busy with
their needlework and probable gossip
Miss Wharton was of the party, and
there were two or three callers. Thew
had noted the colonel's soldierly figure
as he tramped across the parade, and
were quick to see the two officers coming
along the gravel walk. Mrs. Lane half
rose, and smiling brightly babe them
enter. Forage caps were raised in ac-
acknowledgement and salutations exchang-
ed, but the trio hung outside. The ma
jor by this time was talking vehemently.
Lane was looking grave and anxious.
The same perplexed expression was on
his face that had been noted at the break
fast table when reading that letter lust
before Miss Marshall's entrance the day
before. Hearn's face was clouded.
How can they encourage Maj. Ken
yon to be dilating on his pet hobbyr"
petulantly exclaimed Mrs. Graves He
Is the most pessimistic, cynical, prosy
old crank in the whole service, and will
bore them to death. There, now he's
backed them up against the fence, and
there is no hope for them. Do come in
here out of the hot sunshine, Mai. Ken
yon; you can harangue all you like here
just as we'll" But Kenyon paid no at
tention to his fair comrade of the infant
~. For years the women of the til
foot had made common cause against
him despite the fact that he was one Of
their most devoted admirers When
Mrs. Lane again called to them to come
in and sit on the veranda, however, the
captain calmly took his two friends by
the elbows and steered them through
the gate. Another moment and the
ladies were settling back in their seats.
and the major had the floor
Yes, Mrs. Lane. am a crank. rs my
good friend Mrs. Graves has doubtless
told you; have reason to be. and the
crank's wound up today. Your husband
and Hearn here have been combating
my views about the desirability of the
army as a vocation, and crave your
pardon, Miss Marshall. for talking
shop"
I'm deeply interested, Maj. Kenyon"
responded that young lady go on,
beg of you"
We'll, my views are founded on long
experience, and not the very pleasantest.
l say-and L say it after years of refiec-
tlon-that the more man may love his
profession. the better a soldier he is, the
more jealous of the honor and reputa-
ton of his cloth, the less can he afford
to take position in the army of the
United States. Why? Why, because
the great mass of the people have no
conception whatever of the duties that
devolve upon US, of the life we lead. of
the trials we encounter.
In time of peace they think they have
20 use whatever for an army. and de-
clare that we do nothing but loaf and
drink and gamble. They are taught to
think so by the press of our great cities,
and, never having a chance to see the
truth for themselves, they accept the
views of their journalists, who really
know no more about it than they do, but
GO not hesitate to announce as fact what
exists only in their imagination. Ever
since the war these attacks in the papers
have gradually increased from year to
year. Now. my home is in Chicago.
and, naturally. | read the Chicago pa
pers. | was five years tramping, scout
ing, shirmishing all through Arizona and
Wyoming. without ever seeing the inside
of city or even of railway car. We
lived on bareback and bacon and what
we could pick up when we couldn't get
them. We lost many good soldier il
Indian battle during that time. and at
last | got "A wound that laid me up and
sent me home. hadn't seen the place
in seven years My boyhood had been
spent there.
Dozens of my relatives and old school
mates lived there, and looked forward
with pleasure to the rest and JOY should
have at the old firesides. | didn't sup
pose that people really believed all the
outrageous filings The Times and The
News and The Sun and The Herald. let
alone The Trades Union Gazette and
The Arbeiter Zeitung. had INDUCED in
at the expense of the army. But had
to wear my uniform for three or four
days about the old home, and not only
street boys but grown men, respectfully
dressed, jeered and hooted at the dress
that for years in the Confederate south
and all over the frontier had never been
I'D