Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-03-04

allowed on the parade ground. | shall
have to trouble you to fall back to thu
roadway
Mr.. Abrams looked angrly around.
What! Be compelled to quit MS position?
to fall back in humiliation before all
those people and meellly take his station
among them. ana actually to have TO
confess that after all. a newspaper man
wasn't the monarch of ali he surveyed?
Never!
I'm here i'll the interest of the journal
1 represent, and have full authority
from the commanding general to inspect
anything at this post" was his instant
answer, accompanied by shrug of his
shoulders and an ugly scowl
Il cannot help that" was Cross's cool
yet civil reply. You can see Just as
well from the edge of the parade, and
here you Will be in the way
Il can't see 1t clear back there, and |
mean to stay where can see and hear.
If there's anything don't understand |
wish to be where Col. Morris can ex-
plain.
Thanks to the banging of the band. all
this was lnaudlble to the colonel, who
remained IN bhssful ignorance of the
colloquy taking place so near MIN
You cannot stay here, sir" was the
firm, low toned answer ~ will take
pains to explain everything to you after
you retire some twenty yards, but
trust you will not make it necessary for
me TO he more imperative. Come. SIR
And SO, with the worst possible grace,
Mr.. Abrams had to give ground. and
accompanied by the officer Of the day
tall back TO the general throng. To
cover his modification as much as pos:
slble. Cross. in "a smiling and courteous
manner. went Oh to explain The purpose
and details OF the parade But Abrams
only turned angrily away. Twice he
essayed TO stop and face about. but
Cross was getting his blood up by this
time, ana determinedly marched along
TO the very edge of the titteling line of
townspeople, and there, raising his can
SAID with the utmost civility:
And now, sir, if | can be of the faint
est assistance III making this ceremony
clear to you. command me. You viii
observe that the adjutant is coming out
to occupy the very position you were in. s.
But Alr. Abrams was in the sulks as
was to be expected, and still more
wrathfully turned his back. refusing to
listen, so that Cross promptly left him
to his own devices. The representative
OF The Palladium had sense enough not
to attempt to resume his place. but he
had lost interest in the peri 5rmance 81
simultaneously with his own loss of pres
tige among the crowd, aud so. after a
moments wavering, he turned about
and shouldered his sullen way toward
his buggy, only stopping long enough to
inquire of civilian the name of the Of
hcer.
Gross, ell? Capt. Cross Sure of
that, are you: All right. I'll fix him. ="
he growled between his set teeth as he
STROBE away.
When few moments later the long
line of officers halted in front of the
colonel and raised their hands in stimuli
famous salute he responded with some
thing less than his customary graceful
deibera5ion and inquired:
Nv nat on earth was going on there
that there was so much siggling in
ranks: 1t was mainly in front of YOU.
Mr.. Martin. Have you been attempting
any witticisms, sir"
Not that | can now recall, colonel. 8"
responded Martin, with his usual drawl
Possibly the appearance of cur Chicago
friend In the role of adjutant was what
prompted their merriment If You in
vlted him to accompany you trust you
will excuse it
w HON do you mean, and what do
you mean:'
why, Mr.. Abrams took post on your
left and rear, sir, until Cross invited him
elsewhere. I'm sorry for Cross; he has
a wife and family; and yonder goes the
gentleman, bound for the telegraph
office no doubt. What won't The Pal
Iadlum say now"
"Iou don't mean he was right here by
me during parade?" said Morris, growing
very red.
Certainly, sir" spoke Capt Brodie
"4ou could have sInelled his cigar if the
the wind hadn't been blowing from the
stables"
But the appearance of the wagonette
whlrling into garrison with the tall form
OF Col. Lawler, "a dust colored figure
from the crown of his felt hat down to
his very boots. put an end to further re-
marks. Morris FASTENED to meet his
guest merely nodding response to Lanes
courteous invitation to bring him to din
ner.
Is Disease Punishment for Slny