The morning call., 1893-04-25
RETRIBUTION.

Mess-hut in camp. Anteroom with tea table and
muffin dish in front OF the FIRE. Eater Miles ana
Denton, two second lleutenants
Miles, say. Denny, here's somebody's
tea; let's pepper it.
DeDton-All right, Johnnie. A little mus
tard. too, would add tone to the proceed
ings. Gees into mess-room and brings back
cruet) Lift the cover, JOhnnie-thars
right; now for it.
(Enter mess sergeant: makes a rush az cruet.l
Mess-sergeant-NO, you don't, sir; hand
over them things. You don't touch the
adjutanPs tea if l knows it. He'll grouse
you if You do.
Miles with dignity)-Oh, come now.
West. it's no business of yours-il's just a
ark.
Mess-serge it may be lark,
sir, or it may not; but there will be NJ
larking with the adjutant's tea.
Mlles-Iou needn't be so snuffy, West;
it's awfully disresrectful, don't you know,
TO speak to your officer like that.
West-Meaning no disrespect, sir; but
you will be good enough to leave the adju-
tants tea alone, and I'll remove them
things. (Retires with crueO.
Denton emerging from behind Sporting
Timesl-One for you, old chap! West re-
tires with all the hOnors of war. having
shown you your place. What is a poor,
Il full blown mess-sergeant? No more tam
pering with the adjutant's tea.
Mies-Ridgeway's teal Oh. 1 must do
something Don't you know the way he
will come in, as If the place and the regi-
ment and the garrison belonged to him.
Here, You chaps, look alive. Get out.of the
armchair, Denny. Hang IL all, l must get
at the pepper. exit; returns with cruet.)
Besides
Denton-Besides whatP
Mies-Oh. you know.
DentOn-Nellie Ross?
Nliles-Miss Ross if you don't mind.
Denton-The girl that Ridgeway danced
with at the gunnePs ball?
Mies-Its q cOnfOunded-I mean he
didn't Why, l only danced three times
with her myself. She hates Ridseway, you
know.
Denton-Does sheP Then why did she 60
down twice to supper with him and only
once with you?
Miles-Here, l say, Denny, old man. hand
in that pepper It's on that table behind
you. Give US the teapot. "Opens lid and
shakes pepper in beautifully.
Denton-I say, Johnnie, you've made it
hot for old Ridgeway!
Miles-Serve him right. Why does he
bother poor little Nellie Ross?
DentOn-Perhaps she likes it. 1 am sure
she likes him.
Mnes-Th4t's all you know, Denny.
Here, he shall have some mustard as well,
and some what's this? On. anchovy
sauee-all right, in it goes adds a spoonful
of mustard ana some anchovy sauce).
DentO WHATS that, sword? He's
come off parade! Hes talking 10 some
one. The colonel, l should think. You
know that rOtIOn way he talks when he
wants to show off Ta-ta! exit with the
cruet)
tEnter adju;ant in uniform with Mrs AMI Miss
RCss)
Rdgeway-Yes, this is very jolly hut
warm, too-rather too warm, by jove.
Johnnie, will you open a window, some- .
where? And oh, by the by, Mrs. Ross
Miss ROss-I think You know Nj. Miles
come UP to the ire. Mrs Ross. viii Won
take your cloak offP All. here's tea.
told them to have it ready. HuIln, JOhnnieI
Miles (clutching the teapoQ-It-Irs my
tea.
Ridgeway- Empty do you mean? (Oaea-
ing it, No, old chap. it's all right I'll pouC
out. What are you making faces about
Johnnie? Hand the muftins.
Miles Still elingiDg to The teapOD-Ips
mine; rs stood a long time with a CHASTITY
smile). Tits not drinkable. Miss Ross
wouldn't like it.
Rldgeway Gushing him aside)-Nonsense
my dear fellow 1t can't have stood more
than five minutes. Ring .he bell for more
cups. This pot is big enough for us all.
Miles (esgerly)-No it isn't. VESTS rather
hufy this aftsrno0n-Ill take it 0ut-Pll get
Mrs. Ross Gather stifly) = Pray don't
trouble We don't want any tea. Do we,
Maggie?
Miss Ross-No, thank you. am sure this
is Mr.-Mr. Miles own particular teapot
lis too bad to try and wrest it from him.
Ridgeway Qn an Impressive undertone TO
Miles)-What the devil do you mean, sir?
(Out loud.) Then Miles shall do the honors
Of his own table. Come, pour out.
Miles (abiectly)-It's-ii's Dent0n's. He's
in the billiard room; I'll getanother. (Seizes
the teapot and muffia-dsh and hurries off
In n fierce undertOne TO Ridgeway, who fol-
lows him to the door Don't touch it.
Rdgeway QuriOusly)-0h, very WELL
very well, sir; we'll settle this afternoon.
Comes back To Miss Ross Miles is a queer
fellow; something wrong here touches his
forehead) I'm afraid and nasty temper.
Never mind. we'll have our tea in minute.
I'll 20 myself to hurry West exit Ridge
way
Mss Ross-How nice Mr.. Ridgeway is.
mother, aud how well lie looks IN his uni
form. l like them ALL except that funny
Mr.. Miles; wasn't he absurd?
MIS-. RosS-Hes, dear; dreadful, but per-
haps if he is a little queer, rs Mr.. Ridgeway
limited, we must not think TOO much of It.
Miss ROss-But surely, mother, they
ought not to let man into the army who is
mad. He really was just like a mailman
did you notice how his eyes gaTed and how
he snarlad at the door?
Mrs. ROSWELL, dear, mad or not, it was
really very greedy Of him to carry off the
mullins and eat them bv himself. / hope
you won't take any further notice of him
beyond bowling. Don't dance with him or
talk ut the band. dear.-LOnd0n Black and
White.
A Joke From Boston.
Uncle George-Afraid she won't have
you? Nonsense! Stop wringing youI