Arizona republican., 1892-12-03
VETERAN AND PLEBE.

18th 4 .mixed garrison" and the morn
-, drill and reading of the mail having
r,,, zone through with, everybody was
..,;ting for something to break the ever
r,.tirg monotony. Lieutenant Touey
packer came out of the rookery known
., tbe bachelors quarters and started
;,rntilv down the officers line, bearing
I, his hand a kite constructed on the
most approved plan as remembered by
him. and in building which he had
weakened many fond memories of "lIite
rne." to which, as a boy, he had looked
forward with happy anticipation each
year.
He was immediately surrounded by
The abundant supply Of small boys from
me officers quarters, all of whom were
anxious for the kite. He picked out
Young Arthur because the boy was so
ioDd Of sport and never cried when
thrown from his pony, but young Smart,
oftbeCavalry, lounging on the bachelors
razza, stirred up Mr." Dawdle, of the
infantry, by remarking, you will get
hi. 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
THAT boy" was the captains son, and
the captains wife had young lady sis
Ter visiting her, whom Toney had al.
ready escorted for a ride on a troop
horse, much to the disgust of Mr.. Daw-
de, who received a sweet goodby from
the young lady, but was furious at the
parting shot of 80 long, Doughboy,"
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-
outraged 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.
faint got the right sort O tail, said
another; "tie a 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 one so old, "be
CAD, Dragons, before the war, sir!''
81 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,
We'll, old man, what do you know
about kites, anyway
Now Major Stufry had always been
very partial to Toney, and showed it by
always joking with him, while swelling
with i'll 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 breyet major general
the post-"one 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.
Ioney's light and airy remark upset the
major completely, and he was on the
point Of venting his rage on him, when
Who Of all others should come strolling
out but the commanding officer himself. |
de 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 |
much for the old gentleman, and dis
missing his orderly TO dinner, he raised |
us sun umbrella and remarked to his |
EXCELLENT spouse, ii will go and show
mem how to put up kite" The very
dea seemed to make him young again,
'nd he threw out his chest and squared |
Ms shoulders as if he were going to take
new lease Of life, He joined the group
Lound the kite and Major Stuffy braced |
Hmself pompously and saluted with an
vt which plainly said, "Ill stand me
ground be CAD, sir!'
How do you do, Mr.. Ruckery' said |
ne general blandly. 81 see that your
Ute don't work right, and
1t will be all right in a moment, sir.
nave sent to the troop tailor for more
ALL"
But, Mr. Rucker, when / was boy"
ae retires for old age next year, 1--WE
.g'er made long tails; you just split the
,,eces you have and tie some knots in
uem Then shorten up the bride and
l"ke her stand so"--
Just what told the general" said
ne major eagerly; "and he insulted
le, sir! Yes, sir, this young fellow
nat has not been in the service ten
ears, sir, asked me what did | know
bout kites, sirr'
Now Major Stuffy had been avoiding