The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-05-21

Fire.
Cease firing'
Garry arms!
Well done, comrades said I, in a
congratulatory voice to my imaginary
squadron. You do remarkably we'll for
men who have seen so little service
Then bracing myself against the log !
called out:
Attention, companyP
by the right wheell'
Forward March,
"Then l began to initiate the tramp
of soldiers, hep, hep, hep. Closer order
there, men, closer order! Close up the
rear rank! Steady men, steady Halt,
comrades said I, taking a step for
ward. You must learn to keep step.
Keep your eyes front and follow your
guides and hold your muskets in posi-
ton. This will prevent so much confu-
sion.
Forward, march! Hep, hep, hep,
hep
Halt
Stack aims!
Break ranks!
Comrades, cried I, in a voice trem-
bling with enthusiasm, it affords me
pleasure to compliment you upon your
proficiency and the care and attention
which you have given to these tactics,
which are taken from the methods and
usages of the greatest commanders Of
the age. I feel that l can rely upon each
and every one of you to do his full duty
toward his commander and his country
when occasion offers. l feel from your
gallant and soldierly bearing and exem-
plary conduct today that your bosoms
are inspired with that patriotic devotion
to home and country which are the
handspring of every soldierly virtue.
In the flash Of your eyes and the bearing
of your manly forms l behold hat pride
OF patriotism which should animate our
country's defenders, and I know that,
should any foe invade u country and
attempt any usurpation Of our liberties,
you would spring to arms and march in
the defense OF your country and your
firesides to death or glorious victory
captain Mills, said I, initiating
the supposititious voice of my first lieu
tenant, we have listened with the pro-
foundest pleasure to your words of kind
~ commentator, which we trust we
shall merit in our future conduct. We
hope to do full justice to all your ex-
pectations, and in the days to come in
stead Of Captain Mills we hope to hail
you as Major General Mills, command
ing the Georgia militia
Lieutenant said I in q trembling
voice, as if too much overcome for ut
terance and drawing my bandanna hand
kerchief from my hat, 4 cannot express
the feelings of deep qualification which
your words have inspired in my heart.
| only hope that our relations may be
always as pleasant as they have been ON
this occasion of our first meeting as com
mander and faithful followers. 1t is
now with feelings Of the deepest inter-
est in your future welfare that I bid you
goodby.'
Captain Mills said I, again imi-
tating the lieutenant, we all join in re-
turning to you our most hearty good
wishes. Comrades, three cheers and a
tiger for Captain Mills of the Lost
Mountain volunteers
"'Hip-hip-hoo-ra-yr
when the echoes of that cheer had
died away, l pulled of my military coat
and sash, carefully wrapped them up
and placed them in my saddlebags
along with a copy Of Scott's tactics, and
donning my everyday o~vercoat I started
to noun my horse. I had one foot in
the stirrup when I heard a little rustling
in the foliage Of the fallen tree.
Turning around, l stood face to face
with the tallest mountaineer that I ever
laid eyes upon. He rose slowly out Of
the crotch of the tree, and it seemed to
me that he grew taller and taller as he
Strengthened himself. He was red whisk-
cred, red faced and cross eyed, and his
flaming hair fell in wild p~rofusion from
under his coonskin cap. In his hand he
held one Of the old fashioned squirrel
puncher rifles that glistened in the sun
as he fixed me with his stern and bale
full gaze.
WELL said he, catching q deep
breath, I've seen fools, I've read Of
fools. I've heard Of fools, but Of all the
goldarned fools that ever I saw you are
the goldarned infernalest.'
"By that time I had recovered my
composure to some extent, and reaching
in my pocket I pulled out a $2L gold
piece. the only money I had
Look here, my friend, I don't sup
pose that You feel any particular inter-
est in telling about this thing. You just
take this and say no more about it.
"'Well, said he, signing ~regretfully,
as l am not in the fool killing business
I reckon I'll take you up. But I feel
that I am missing a mighty fine oppor-
tunity.'
II mounted my horse and rode of,
and that cross eyed mountaineer kept
his word. But never in all my expert
ence have I had such a close shave as ]
did on the occasion Of my first drill" -
Chicago Record.
Different Views.
do You ever go to church?' asked q
| cifv missionary of a woman who had