Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-06
VETERAN AND PLEBE.


been gone through with, everybody was
waiting for something to break the ever
lasting monotony.s Lieutenant Toney
Rucker came out of the rookery known
as the bachelors quarters and started
jauntily down the officers line, bearing
in his hand kite constructed on tho
most approved plan as remembered by
him, and in building which he had
awakened many fond memories of ''kite
time," to which, as boy, he had looked
forward with happy anticipation each
year.
He was Immediately surrounded by
the abundant supply of small boys from
the officers quarters, all of whom were
anxious for the kite He picked out
young Arthur because the boy was SO
fond of sport and never cried when
thrown from his pony, but young Smart,
of the cavalry, lounging on the bachelors
piazza, stirred up ''Mr." Dawdle, of the
infantry, by remarking, ''You will get
left, Plebe, for there goes Toney boot
licking that boy again, and he is sure of
an invitation TO tea, and you know what
that MEANS"
s'That boy" was the captains son, and
the captains wife had young lady sis
ter visiting her, whom Toney had al
ready escorted for q ride on a troop
horse, much to the disgust of Mr.. Daw-
die, who received sweet goodby from
the young lady, but was furious at the
parting shot of $50 long, Doughboy,' 9
from Toney.
But this is all by play to the kite story
Toney took out of his pocket "a ball Of
cord, borrowed from the commissary
sergeant for the occasion, Strengthened
out the kite tail, made of old yellow
stripes cut from scouting trousers.
Everything being ready, he called out:
'Hold her, my son, and will run her
up for you and then she is yours"
Toney started in quarter race time, en-
couraged by frantic yells from the boys;
but, alas, just as Arthur's young aunt
was merrily applauding from the plaza
the kite commenced to,duck in the most
cowardly fashion, and the faster Toney
ran the more it ducked
''Sumpen's the matter, said Arthur.
"'Taint got the right sort O. tail, " said
another; cite rock to her," and many
similar pieces Of advice came from all
the boys at once.
BY this time the piazzas were filed
with spectators, and the men waiting
for mess call sailed out on the barrack
porches to see the fun, when old
Major Stuffy started toward the boys
with that Important air which he
thought becoming to ono SO old, "be
CAD, dragons, before the war, STRIP
II say, Toney, you want to shorten
up the center bride, and make her
stand on the wind like this said the
old major, taking hold of the kite.
Toney, who was puzzling his mind as
to where he could get more kite tail
without tearing up his only extra pair
of sheets, looked up and remarked,
"Well, old man, what do you know
about kites, anyway
Now Major Stuffy had always been
very partial to Toney, and showed it by
always joking with him, while swelling
with ill fitting dignity in his intercourse
with all the subalterns The old gentle
mans nerves had been little shaken
for few days because the infantry
colonel and the brevet major general
commanding the post-ssone of those
demned volunteers, you know had
added insult to injury by sending him
an order not to drive any more govern
ment horses in his private conveyance.
Toney's light and airysremark upset the
major completely, and he was on the
point of venting his rage on him, when
who of ali others should come strolling
out but tho commanding officer himself.
He who had won his STARS for bravery
and conspicuous services from Perry
vile to Resaca certainly ought to know
all about kites.
The excitement on the parade was too
I much for the old gentleman, and dis
missing his orderly to dinner, he raised
his sun umbrella and remarked to his
excellent spouse, II will go and show
them how to put up a kite" The very
idea seemed to make him young again.
and he threw out his chest and squared
his shoulders as if he were going to take
anew lease of life. He joined the group
around the kite and Major Stuffy braced
himself pompously and saluted with an
air which plainly said, IRE stand me
ground, be gad, sirf'
-How do you do, Mr.. RuGker?' said
the general blandly. II see that your
Kite don't work right, and"--
ait will be all right in a moment, sir.
| have sent to the troop tailor for more
tail"
"But, Mr.. Rucker, when l was boy
Che retires for old age next year) 1--WE
never made long tails; you just split the
pieces you have and tic some knots in
them. Then shorten up the bride and
make her stand SOL
"Just what i told the general" said
tho major eagerly; "and he insultsd
me, sir! Yes, sir, this young fellow
that has not been in the service tea
years, sir, asked me what did know
about kites, sirf'
Now Major Sbuffy had been avoiding
the general ever since he had received
the communication about the horses
and had even declined invitations to sew
eral garrison affairs for fear of meeting
him, but he was greatly soothed when
the general turned and said:
"Why, major, am astonished. siri
Mr.. Rucker, what do You mean, sir. by
speaking to Major Stuffy in this way.
sir! An old man and vaiped officer of
your regiment, too, sirl Twill not allow