Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1891-03-26

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more it goes"
Il df. not wish to be unjust to Mr..
Hearn in this matter" continued the
colonel. ..Bnt cannot too strongly de-
plore the consequences of his-of his
action. And then in threatening to ex-
pei civilians from the garrisonl What
earthly right had you, Mr.. Hearn, TO
arrogate to yourself the faculties Of COM
manding officer? l am the only man to
say who shall and who shall rot be kept
on or off the reservation. And now. Of
all men on earth that You young gentle
men should have been particularly care
full not to antagonize, it turns out that
one of them is representative of the
press"
And, in the full realization of cir
cumstance SO calamitors, the colonel
sank into his chair. Hearn would have
explained that he had made no personal
threats, but Lanes restraining hand was
laid on his knee.
Patience, ladf' he whispered. ssSay
nothing now 1t will all come right in
the end
''Tn sure took the utmost pains to
be civil to the a-gentlemen, drawled
Martin, with his innocent eyes on the
vacancy Of the opposite walls. II i'm
plored Stone not to eject them. I had
to beg off drinking with the-a-Israel-
itish party because | had to shoot. OF
course, colonel, if | had known that the
other gentleman was so highly connect
ed, there's no saying to what length |
wouldn't have gone to attain the eleva-
tion they had already reached-one of
them at least. A dozen drinks, think,
might have done it."
''This is no occasion for the exercise of
your sarcastic powers, Mr.. Martin, " said
the colonel severely. ssIt is to be hoped
your ciyility was less transparenta sham
than your present remarks"
Pardon me, colonel" interposed
Lieut.. Lee, whose seat was near the win
dow. Here comes the gentleman him
self"
Surely enough. buggy drew up in
front of the Office, bulky form slowly
descended, and with much deliberation
of manner Mr.. Abrams, Of Chicago,
looked about him, then proceeded to tie
his horse to young maple at the edge
of the walk. The orderly sprang for
ward:
beg pardon, sir, but it's against or
ders to tie horses to the trees. The horse
posts are across the road"
Against whose orders?' said the gen
tleman from Chicago, with slow and i'm
pressive movement. turning upon the
trim soldier.
''The colonel's orders, sir. Even the
officers can't leave their horses in front
Of headquarters, sir
my God. Here! this viii never doy'
fidgeted the colonel, springing to his
feet. "Mr. Adjutant, send man out
here
Shall take care of the gentleman's
horse:7 said Martin with grave humility
of mien, rising slowly to his feet, as the
colonel strobe to the door. But Morris
was too hurried to hear him, or even to
rebuke the litter with which the words
were greeted. By this time, paying no
attention to the orderly, the representa-
tive of The Palladium had reached the
doorway and was brought face to face
with the post commander:
"Col. Morris, | presume. l am the
bearer of an order to you from depart
ment headquarters
"Col. Morris, sir, at your service, Z" re-
piled the post commander with much
suavity. "a letter. 1 presume. Walk
in Mr.-Mr. - Take a chair, SIR
Several of the officers nearest the door
had risen promptly, as though in readi-
ness to receive with due honors the colo
nel's guest. Others slowly followed
their example. Some remained seated
and continued low toned chat. All
gradually resumed their seats, and, while
some with evident curiosity studied the
appearance Of the stranger, Brodie and
Lee looked at him with eyes that plainly
spoke their resentment, while Hearn's
hands were clinched and his lips com
pressed. No word was spoken to the new
arrival, however. He, with entire in
difference of manner as to all the rest,
fixed his gaze upon the commanding
officer, who rapidly read. The note was
short and to the point. Morris had reason
to be thankful for his diplomatic training.
Il am greatly pleased to give you well
come, Mr.. Abrams" he said. extending
his hand with much apparent cordiality
of manner. ''This, while by no means
necessary, of course adds to the roadi-
ness with which we open our doors to
you. Had known you were here and
desirous of visiting the post for any
purpose in the interests of your paper,
should have found means to welcome
you before, and am only sorry you did
not make your presence known to me. "
Maj. Kenyon had risen as the colonel
was speaking, and now in low tone and
with much respect of manner accosted
him:
by your leave, colonel, if there be
nothing further in the way Of business,
may request your permission to retireg7
Certainly, Maj Kenyon. And, gen
tlemen, there were some matters to
which desired to call your attention,
but it is so near time for boots and sad
dies, we will defer the matter until to-
morrow. Twill not detain you further z
There were one or two among the
score of officers present who desired to
see the colonel on some routine matters;
these contented themselves with going
over to the adjutant's desk, as he entered,
and whispering their requests to him;
the others promptly took their leave and
sauntered out into the sunshine. Mr.
Abrams noted the occurrence with q
quiet but suggestive smile.
For moment no one among the little
group seemed to find anything to say.
1t was Mr.. Lee who gave the first ex-
preston to personal opinion. He burst
out into fit of laughter
''Im blessed if | can see anything to
laugh about in this affair, Mr.. Lee"
said the major, whose face was a shade
moodier than ever. ''If anything was
needed to confirm what have hitherto
said on the subject, here you have it.
Perhaps it pleases you to see a comrade
vilified by the press and then bulldozed
by his commanding officer, who well
knows the paper lied, but daren't stand
up for one of his subalterns. And then
to think of the fellows impudence, an
nouncing himself as the bearer of an
order from headquarters If l had been
in command ! should hare told him
ORDERS were never sent by the hand of