Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1895-07-13

at the moment, ana came face to face
with the post commander. who, followed
by his orderly, was crossing the green
parade, swinging his cane in the nervous
and energetic way peculiar to him.
Mr. Hearn, he said in his quick, al
most gruff manner, the officer of the
day tells me he has confined Welsh, of
your troop, for INSTRUMENTATION and for
threatening you, and that he had been
at the store with some men from town
who were forbidden the reservation.
You know the men. I'm told
Only one of them, sir. / knew that
Jew, Schonberg, the first winter | was
stationed here"
well. Capt. Brodie says he also used
threatening language toward you. What
does it mean? What could he have to
threaten you WITH
Nothing, sir" answered Hearn
promptly AT least" aud now the hot
blood seemed bounding to his temples,
lat least nothing that l have any fear
Of He is blackguard and | was ut
terly inexperienced when | came here,
60 that he got me into some embarrass-
nent in money matters at the time. 1t
was settled long ago, and have no idea
what he thinks he can trump up now.
He used to be clerk and attendant at
the store here when old Braine -
Yes, yes, l know" said the colonel
pnpatiently. 1T is odd that you young
gentlemen will put yourselves III the
hands of such people. Now that fellow
has been kept off the reservation all
these years, yet here he comes again be-
cause he seems to think he has hold on
you. and dares to disobey orders as a
consequence.
81 protest, colonel" said Hearn, flush
ing hotly, Il am in no wise responsible
for his actions. You can have the de-
tails of the trouble he gave me at any
time, and | can show you the papers
that long since ended the matter. He
has no hold on me, sir, whatever" And
the Young officer stood before his com.
mander looking both grieved and indig-
nant at the imputation conveyed in the
latter's words.
well. well, Mr. Hearn. do not mean
to say that he has any ground, only you
young gentlemen cannot be too careful
about your associates Contact with
such canaille as this must defile you just
as much as pitch. Now, Maj. Kenyon,
how is Corp Brent
Thus having the last word, and hav
ing conveyed to the young subaltern a
distinct sense of rebuke Col. Morris
abruptly intimated his desire that moth
ing further should be said on the sub
ject. So long as lie chose to transfer his
attention to Maj. Kenyon the com
mander could of course prevent further
remonstrance; but as Mr.. Hearn stood
there in evident readiness TO resume his
own defense, and as the colonel knewvery
well that he had hardly been fair to him,
since Hearn's character had been most
exemplary ever since his joining the
regiment, his better nature told him
that he ought in further words to let the
young fellow down easily, as the army
expression goes For reasons of his own
Col. Morris did not wish to unbend
however. in presence of the infantry
major, his second in command. No
sooner had he finished his inquiries than
he turned to Mr. Hearn again:
II do not mean to say, sir, that any
reason exists for that man threats, only
that / consider it most unfortunate that
you or any young officer should ever
have put himself in the power of that
class of people"
Hearn would have retorted, but for a
moment he could not find words at once
respectful and convincing. The colonel
having delivered this final volley from
his entire line now promptly retired be-
fore the other side could rally, and, as
though covered by the smoke of his own
fire, tramped away across the parade,
leaving the two officers gazing silently
after him. The orderly, with hand tc
cap visor, sprang briskly past the pair
and stalked away in the wake of his
cane twirling commander.
At last Kenyon spoke: Come, Hearn,
when you're as old as | am you'll not
fret yourself over glittering generalities
like that. Every colonel. | suppose, is
full of wise saws and modern instances,
and must shoot 'em off occasionally. I'll
be Just as full, no doubt, if [ live to be a
colonel. 1t has taken me thirty years
soldering to get out of company duty,
and the Lord only knows how long it
will be before can swap this gold leaf
for the silver. Come along man; I'm
going to Lanes moment to ask the la
dies to drive to town this evening, and
there's nothing like the women folk to
help one out of the grulnps. There they
are on the piazza now-the women, not
the grumps. And by the powers! yon-
der comes young Lee in his riding boots