The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-11-21

the requirements. He was three inches over
the required height, was picture of per-
feet physical development, land had passed
successfully examinatiq1s admitting him to
the privilege of life insurance. His hearing
and eyesight were acute, and every muscle
joint and nerve in his. bodyT were in perfect
order. But there fingered in his blood
traces of a disease which might at some
time break out anew. and BENDER him use
less on the march or in action. ArmY sur
geons are thorough in theiri work, and fseI-
dom fail to discover any weakness which
may exist and their degrees are final The
young man had had his heart set upon the
idea of becoming an army officer, and feels
his disappointment keealy TO this day.
But one must go a step farther in order
to be able to determine whether or not
the expectations of the successful recruit
are TO be met with disappointment after
ne succeeds in getting well established as
a private in the army. Follow him
through the ordeal of enlistment, through
the workshop of the post tailor, where he
Is turned out in soldier guise, If not in
J soldferiy bearing, through his weeks and
perhaps months of drilling in awkward
squad, where he is compelled to submit to
the orders of men of no higher rank than
himself. at times, and then inquire wheth-
er or not his first state
is BETTER THAN HIS LAST
VIII he have nothing to do but to keep
his buttons bright and his stripes clean,
and to salute his superiors in a dignified
manner when ne meets them on the pa
rade ground? Stop and think for a mo-
ment OF the work which must be done ey-
cry day about military post and remem-
per that there are none but the soldiers
themselves to do it all, and you will ar
rive at different conclusion. If the re-
eruit has chosen service in the cavalry he
Will be called upon to dig trenches, clean
out stables, care for horses and similar
work. II he be the fortunate master of
any trade such as blacksmithing, harness.
making or the like, he will find employ
ment more to his taste, but in any event
ne will have to perform. as a soldier, a
great deal OF work that differs not at all
from the work of the citizen, except that
1t is one with more perfect system and
under the surveillance of a hierarchy of
otcers who will to it that the man
who works most faithfully and satsfactor-
lily Is given privileges Of advancement in
accordance with his merits. That, after
ALL proves to be one of the most salts
factory features of army life. In the
ranks, even, a man is sure to receive rec
ognltion in accordance with his WORTH and
tnlS Iact makes the majority of soldiers
perfectly contented with their lot. In the
infantry, too as in any other branch of
the service, there is work for every man
10 do. Buildings have to be constructed
and repaired. Parade grounds have to be
Kept in order. The arms and equipment
OF an infantry company require a great
deal of work to keep them in order.
PAY IN THE SERVICE.
The paw given to soldiers is not large
enough to make enlistment in the army
attractive to them, apparently, but there
are two sides to that. Privates are given
sl3 per month for their first five years, and
II they re-enliSt they receive SIG. Soldiers
have no opportunity to spend their earn
lngs. and they receive it in single pay