New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-11
TIE Old SERGEANT.
AN EPISODE OF PAYDAY.

His place was near the end of the long line Of
retired soldiers filing past the paymasters desk
His ancient army blouse was neatly brushed, the
button which the baby had chewed off that morn
ing had been carefully reinstated with pin He
held his shaking old figure in military fashion. ana
stood attention between forward moves.
Life as ianitor In the mysterious sunless bowels
Of a fiat house bore sharp contrast TO barrack days
/ on the plains \ vigorous niece meant Kindness;
but she hurt roughly, too, when she babe MIN
mind the baby and leave the heavy work OF MS
situa ton to her. He WINGED with acknowledgment
of failing powers as he watched her grabs at the
rope easily raise the lift he had sweated over
He had his trials. but on payday, once month";
they were forgotten. The meeting with comrades,
the military atmosphere OF the paymaster's office
the pride Of hearing himself addressed by the title
he had gained and sustained In thirty-fve years OF
active service. gave him the greatest happiness lie
| had left for him. y glimpse Of the Army Regis
ter on the ma jor desk brought relaxing shoulder
into position. Five lines Of the book, under Medals
| OF Honor" devoted TO Sergeant Flynn's dis
tingushed gallantry In action In saving an officer
| under fire from the Apaches. A lady calling upon
the paymaster was an extra incentive to look his
! smartest
The major spoke a friendly word here and there
! as he paid off the men. Cahart was TO chop the
elevated railroads tickets faithfully. remembering
| that 1t reflected the Army each time he lost
| position. Nurphy's old wound not bad again.
he hoped. what did Haddons black eye mean
! Drinking again. when the service esteemed him SO
highly, Jackson's right hand had been sacrificed to
a Cheyenne's bullet, so he used his eft TO take MS
pay Stpson's granddaughter came for his. bear
! ing bedridden Stipsons pay account signed with
| his mark-a cross-duly witnessed that morning by
the priest Flynns old heart beat expectantiy as
hls particular moment arrived. He stepped up.
angleI his heels beautifully and executed a SUN
iointed salute. Patrick Flynn" he announced NM
self Just then the lady visitor changed chairs muir
murlng Of draughts The major looked round 10 MS
clerk please close the window. Blank he said.
En-? oh, Private Patrick Flynn. $40 Less than usuai
for rations this time; February short month.
| Next"
FLYNN dragged a heavy step on. The clerk was
holding out a folded paper. Flynn entreated MN
with Il wild glance not to repeat the major mis-
take private Patrick Flynn your pay account 10
be filed In for March," said the clerk.
FLYNN llmped across the room with what ne had
rcceIved-merey a hirelings pension. without honor'
without glory lie looked through the iatuced iron
door down the shaft at the elevator SLOWLY r'sins
| TO bear him brokenly away. He hesitateu thihh-
ing TREMENDOUSLY OF his rghts-he walked back 70
the majors desk The major glanced up nquir-
ingly from a pile of papers. and Flynn saluted: Il,
Sergeant sir" he said. Sergeant Patrick
Z frownlng gaze of wonderment melted into a
"Vyhv' of course he said. Sergeant Flynn!
didn't give you your rank did II ana KING ~, NAM S
fecting a succession OF happy. nervous, apologize
| sautes with the other. .o, ~, ,.., .ho
How are you coming on. Sergeant" asked the
| Major. - -, III,
''Fust rate Major. The babys WELL sir o.,
That's good Going 10 make soldier Vi h''i
! Sergeant >. >, ,,. .. hoo,
| carving the regmental colors at parade as ne
marched of the room. There was lone' ~,
| DELAY I'm the elevators descent. Flynns eyes .to
front glanced perforce into the office Inc MAJOR
| TO the lady. apache War: saved your father; nm
est old fellow on the list the words came . ais,
| iointedlv Fortunately the elevator went down JUST
then-old Flynn's swelling heart had as much as II