Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1895-02-21

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mortgaged subs, but no one al the nos.
could truthfully say that Schramn
ever in the faintest way failed in Tho
respect and Difference due his superior,
in grade.
On the other hand, there were those
who saw that Schramm's new capta;n
was taking frequent opportunity ia
treat the young German with scant
courtesy; it was apparent from the
moment OF the return Of the troou
from the field. They had already be-
gun the homeward march when
Schramm was ordered by Tintsp t,
await their return to headquarters
but Capt. Bragg declared that schramm
had shirked his duty with the troop.
The medal of honor awarded him was
presented by Tintop and pinned ON
Schramm's breast in presence of the
whole command, and Bragg sneered at
the colonefs commendatory remarks
and sneered again in Thornton's pres
ence as the troop marched in from
parade. Perry was already Disguised
with having to serve longer in d troop,
but no transfer could be obtained.
Schramm's duties in barracks and
stables were most scrupulously per-
formed, but never to the extent Of win
| ming expression Of satisfaction from
Bragg. Schramm rarely asked to be ex-
cused from duty, but often put in for a
pass to got town. There was no good
reason for refusing 50 good man, so
Bragg growled and grumbled, and
finally said he couldn't have his horses
ridden all over creation, and Schramm
must walk thereafter or hire coach
and-four. Schraum never by word or
sign showed irritation. He received
the blunt, ill-natured reply with silent
salute. He hired Curran's buggy, and
then, an evening or two thereafter,
just before stables, came Looping back
from Butte on a splendid bay, Lieut.
Edwards favorite horse, which that Of
icer had vainly asked three ug--ifed
for when he needed money to go east
on sick leave, and failing to obtain his
price had lent him to the Empire
stables in town. Schramm, it tran
spired, had bought the entire outfit,
equipments and all, but had the bride
and housings stored and replaced by
modest black leather and dark blue
blsnket. Bragg forbade his keeping
his horse in the troop stables, and
Schramm, flushing slightly, replied,
with the utmost self-command and re-
spect, that he could not presume to
think of such thing. Mr.. Curran had
kindly consented.to take charge of his
horse in his private stable, where
Schramm, you may depend upon it,
paid roundly for forage and grooming
Then it next transpired that Schramm
had ma med his new acquisition Rand"
and, as Rand, in his capacity as inspector
general had frequently raped Bragg
over the knuckles, this gave greater
offense to Bragg. Then famous
opera company, crossing the continent,
struck blizzard and were snow bound
In special car at Butte. There was a
big hall with fair-sized stage in town.
The owner urged performance, and
the manager agreed to give Faust" on
4 guarantee that took the owners
breath away. He braved the drifts,
however, and salloped out to the fort
and told his story. go ahead" said
Tintop. "You shall have the band,
and wen all take seats But when he
heard the price Tintop retracted. "We
can't stand the fgure-that is, | can't,
and few of my officers can" Neyerthe-
less the owner found means to give the
front row Of the gallery, all around, at
D reduced rate, and there the fort con-
tingent looked down on the two-dollar
seats in the so-called parquet, and just
before the overture began In marched
forty sergeants, cavalry, infantry and
staff from Ransom, each man in his
natticst dress uniform, and took pos
session of the rows Of chairs reserved
Tor them and after the opera was over
lid these non-commissioned officers ad-
ourn to Conway's, where another
oountiful supper was spread In his nlg
-oom. and then back to the fort in the |
lawn Of the frosty morning to the tune
If soldier sons and merry sleigh bells.
'Schramm's stag party" was the talk
If the post for a week thereafter.
Bragg thought it an outrage that en-
listed men should be allowed to sit iii
public entertainment in presence OF
heir betters. Tintop, on the contrary,
aid he was proud to see SO many OF his
men intelligent, soldierly, and SO thor
,ughly capable of appreciating such
music and such company. As for the
,pera people and the local manager,
;hey were enraptured. Connie, you
nav be sure. was there to see. She
md her friend Miss Franzen bad been
thither and taken home in
.arriags from the Empire, and invited
md escorted by the principal OF the
public school, to whom, 1t transpired
ater. tickets as well as instructions
lad been sent beforehand, and 1t was
ust about this time, just before Christ
mas. that somebody started the new
,ame for the blue-eyed Prussian,
md Schramm, to his manifest concern
vas hailed as ''Sergt. Crnsus."
The snow blockade was such cnat
oanv children at the fort lost their
a;th in Santa Claus. He who rode the
and the storm was barred
I Ransom, yet seemed to swoop in
orcc on Morgan's freside. Brand new