The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-09
LIEUT.. FUCKERS KITE.

ing drill and reading Of the mail having
been safely gone through with, every
body was ", ting for something to break
the everlasting monotony.
Lieut.. Toney Rucker came out OF the
rookery known as the bachelors quar-
ters, and started jauntily down the ON
GERS line, bearing in his hand kite con-
structed on the most approved plan a
remembered by him, and in buiidlnf
which he had awakened many fond mem
ories of kite time" which as boy ht
bad looked forward to with happy antici'
patton each year.
He was Immediately surrounded by th'
abundant supply of small boys from tine
officers quarters, all of whom were an
xious for the kite.
He picked out young Arthur, because
the boy was so fond of sport and never
cried when thrown from his pony, hui
Young Smart of the cavalry, lounging on
he bachelors piazza, stirred up " MI
Dawdle of the infantry by remarking:
"You will get left, Plebe, for there
roes Toney boot hicking that boy again,
md he is sure OF an invitation TO tea, and
you know what that means"
"That boy was the captains son, nnc
tho captains wife had young lady sister
visiting her, whom Toney had already
,scorted for ride on a troop horse, much
to the disgust of Mr.. Dawdle, who re-
ceived a sweet good by from the young
adv, but was furious at the parting shot
Of 80 long, Doug hboy," from Toney.
But this is all by-play to the kite story
Toney took out of his pocket ball oi
cord borrowed from the commissary
sergeant for the occasion and straig ghtcned
ont the kite tail, made of old yellow
stripes cut from the 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,
encouraged by frantic yells from the
BOYS; but alas, just as Arthur's young
aunt was merrily applauding from the
piazza, the kite commenced to duck in the
most cowardly way, and the faster Toney
ran the more ii ducked.
"Sumpens the matter" said Arthur.
",Tain't got the right sort O. tail, said
another; "tie rock to her." and many
similar pieces of advice came from the
boys at once.
By this time the piazzas were filled with
| spectators, and the men waiting for mess
call sailed out on the barrack porches to
see the fun, when old Major Stuffy started
towards the boys with that important
| air which he thought becoming to Zone
OF the old, be CAD, Dragons, before the
| war, sir!"
81 say, Tony, you want to shorten up
| the centre 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 with
L. 4. a.r Of
sheets, looked up and remarked: "Well,
old man, what do you know about this
anyway"
Now Major Stuffy had always been very
| PARTIAL to Toney, and showed it by con-
| stsntly Joking with him, while swelling
| with i'll fitting dignity in bis intercourse
| with all the subalterns.
| The old gentleman's nerves had been a
little shaken for few days because the
| infantry colonel and brevet- ajor- gen.
eral commanding the post-"one OF those
demned volunteers, you know had
added insult to injury by sending him an
order not to drive any more Government
Horses in his private conveyance.
Toney's light and airy remark upset
the Major completely, and he was on the
noipt of venting his rage on him, when
who of all Others should come strolling
ont but the commanding officer himself.
He who had won his stars for bravery
and conspicuous services from Perryville
10 Resaca, certainly ought to know all
,bout kites. The excitement on the pa
.ade was too much for the old gentleman,
md. djsmissing his orderly to dinner, he
-aised his sun umbrella and remarked to
mis- excellent spouse:
Will go and show them how to put
up kite"
The very idea seemed to make him
Young again, and he threw out his chest
md squared his shoulders as IL be was
.oing To take a new lease OF life. He
Joined the group around the kite, and
Major Stufy braced himself pompously
and saluted with an air which plainly
said:
"Pll stand me ground, be CAD, sir!"
"How do you do, Mr.. RuckerY" said
the General, blandly. 81 see that your
kite don't work right, and -
alt will be all right in moment, sir
have sent to the troop tailor for more
tail"
"But, Mr.. Rucker, when I was boy
he retires for old age next year-"ws
never made long tails; you must split the
pieces you have and tie some knots In
them. Then shorten up the bride anc
make her stand so -
"Just what told him, General" saic
the Major, eagerly, "and he insulted me
,irl Yes, sirl this young fellow, that bai
not been I'm the service forty years, sir
,sked me what did know about kites
irl"
Now, Major stuffy had been avoiding
he General ever since he had received
he communication about the horses, anC
nad even declined invitations TO severa
garrison affairs for fear OF meeting him
but he was greatly soothed when th
General turned and said:
"why, Major, l am astonished, sir
Mr.. Rucker, what do you mean, sir, b.
peaking to Major stufy in this way, sir
m old and valued officer Of your owl
regiment, too, sirl will not allow sucl
hings in my garrison, sirW
"But, General, l did not intend TO hur
he Majors feelings. j guess ] don
,now much about kites anyway, boys, ~
.ou take IL out behind the barracks sn'
hy it TO suit yourselves," said Toney, in
| nnVeta.e hind Of Way.