, 1891-08-13

lite and believed that | should be happier
10 it than at an ything else. There Is no
mystery whatever attending my enlist.
ment, and while all my folks we're not
aware oil my intentions. some were. My
uncle was in Europe at the time. | don't
know how he will like it, but | do not see
how any one can find any fault. A sol
dier's profession is an honorable one. 1t
is a mistake to suppose that there are no
gentlemen in the ranks. In my company,
G, there are half a dozen gentlemen and q
number Of men who are educated. | did
not see the telegram concerning myself
printed in the morning papers. but 1t
makes no difference to me. Ienlisted under
my own name. and if my folks find fault
with it and failed to find it out 1t is be-
cause they failed to inquire.
How old are your" interrupted the
major.
'Twenty-seveu sir"
Were you not passed for ten days by
the surgeonP"
Why"
Because | had a rash at the time
caused by the excessive heat in the cars.
1t disappeared next day and | wa mus
tered in"
"How comes it that you know your
drill2"
"Oh, | was sergeant major in the 9Th
MARYLAND infantry, the crack military or
ganization of the South. and passed my
examinat on for a first lieutenant, but did
not take the rank. We are the best drilled
regiment in the South, and we are very
proud ofsour organization. Our uniform
is the same as hat OF the 7th New York.
The gold bullion on my uniform alone
cost $45."
why did you enlist?' inquired the ma.
jor2"
Simply from choice"
Had you any trader"
81 was a broker. | bought foreign ex-
change for the firm of Alexander Brown
& Co, but gave up thai beiore'1 en-
tered the service"
Could you fill a clerical POSITION"
Most certainly, SIT, | am an expert
accountant"
Very well, then. | have a chance for
you, [ guess. Several. captains have
written me asking for men at Santa Fe
to put to work as company clerks. If you
are up in your drill you can make a writ
ten application to me setting forth the
facts, and ii your captain c~ertifies to their
correctness and recommends you. we may
get you transferred. Mind, | don't say the
captain to whose company we send you
will take you into his Office; that depends
upon him and yourself. You know that
after three months a recruit has the right
to ask for transfer into any regiment he
chooses"
How do you like the army2" the cor
respondent asked.
Very much. [ find it exactly as |
imagined it; plenty of work to keep the
mind engaged, plenty of rest and a ra.
tioual amount OF amusement.
Then you do not regret the step?"
by no means. Were | given my dis.
charge tomorrow | would not accept It"
why did you prefer the cavalry
Were you used to riding2"
"Ob, no, but [ always imagined |
would like to go into the cavalry,"
ut has been limited hat you desired n
commission in the army and took this
course to secure one, hoping tor promotion
through examination, as the regulations
permit"
"Oh, no; | never thought OF that. |
simply decided to enter the army. Wheth-
err | shall ever try for that is a matter |
shall leave altogether TO the future"
Then you find nothing in your sur
roundings that causes you pain and morti-
ication?"
Certainly not. OF course there arc
all kinds of men 10 the service, but | find
them all manly, and if a man minds his
own business and conducts himself as a
gentleman | do not see why he should
have cause for complaint. When a man
enlists he must be satisfied to take the
service as he finds it."
Mai Rnrnar1 hara intarru ptnI IN oita
numerous instances that had come under
his observation, where men of good breed
ing, good family and good fortune have
given up their advantages for the sake of
the service. Among others. for instance,
is young Drexel, of Philadelphia, who en-
listed a couple of years ago, and whose
case is remarkable because of the persist
ence of the recruit.
Young Drexel, although wealthy, was
bent uDon army life. He had false teeth
and was physically below the standard.
When rejected he appealed to Maj.
Bernard, and at length was entered as a
teacher in a post school and is now
so engaged in the far West.
Maj. Bernard himself is not a West
Pointer. but enlisted as a private thirty
six years ago and served in the ranks for
gears. He is proud of his record.
Private Frey is a good looking young
man, somewhat under medium height.
He parts his hair close to the medium
line and wears a carefully trained brown
mustache. de is very neat and particular
in his attire. His manners are elegant
and he speaks with the grace of a we'll
bred man. If he never did any hard
work before he finds plenty at hand now.
Here is his daily routine. as explained by
himself: Reveille and ~roll-call at 5:45;
breakfast, and hen to the stables and
police call. Every man in the cavalry
service must care for his own horse. Some
of Private Frey's friends would marvel to
see the cavalryman bedding down his
steed, currying and brushing up his coat
and leading him to water.
The nexs call is to guard mounting,
when the recruits are instructed in the
duties of camp guard. Later comes the
morning drill. mounted and afoot. with
exercises In the gymnasium. Dinner call
at noon is a welcome sound. After an
hour for relaxation, drill, mounted and !