Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1896-07-03

HtCONci RUNNER
"'Open PAM
Prime pant
"'Close PAM
Make readyr Z
Take aimi'
"'FireP
"'Cease lringi'
Garry armsP
We'll done, comrades said I, in q
congratulatory voice to my imaginary
squadron. You do remarkably we'll for
mel who have seen SO little service. >
Then bracing myself against tho log /
called ont;
Attention, compauyr
by the right wheelr
Forward MarchP
"Thon l began to initiate the tramp
Of soldiers, hop, hep, hep. Closer order
there, men, closer ordorl Close up the
ear ranki Steady men, steady Halt,
comradesP 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
'HaltP
stack ahmsi'
Break ranksr
Comrades, cried !, in a voice from
bling with enthusiasm, it affords mo
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. l feel that 1 can roly upon each
and every II Of you to do his full duty
toward his commander and his country
when occasion offers. / 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 that pride
Of patriotism which should animate our
country's defenders, and I know that,
should any foe invade our country and
attempt any usurpation Of our liberties,
you would spring to arms and march in
the defense Of your country and your
flresides to death or glorious victory
Captain Mills, said 1, initiating
the supposititious voice of my first lieu
tenant, we have listened with the pro-
foundest pleasure TO your words of kind
ly commentator, which we trust we
shall merit in our future conduct. We
hope TO do full justice to all your ex.
poctations, and in the days to come in
stead Of Captain Mills vye hope to hail
you as Major General Mills, command
ing the Georgia militia
"'Lieutenant, said l in o trembling
voice, as if too much overcome for ut
teranco and drawing my bandanna hand
kerchief from my hat, 1 cannot express
the feelings of deep qualification which
your words have inspired in my heart.
| only hopo 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 tho deepest inter-
est in your future welfare that l bid you
goodby.'
captain Mills, snid /, again imi-
tating the lieutenant, we all join in re-
turning TO you our most hearty good
wishes. Comrades, three cheers ard a
tiger for Captain Mills Of the Lost
Mountain volunteers
"'Hip-hip-hoo-n.yr
"When tho 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 q copy Of Scott's tactics, and
donning my everyday overcoat l started
to mount my horse. l had one foot in
the ftirrup when ] heard a little rustling
in the foliage of the fallen tree.
Turning around, l stood face to face
with the tallest mountaineer that 1 ever
laid eyes upon. Ho rose slowly out of
the crotch Of the tree, and it seemed to
me that be grow taller and taller as he
Strengthened himself. Hewas rod whisk-
cred, red faced and eyed, and his
flaming hair fell in wild p~rofusion from
under his coonskin cap. In his hand ho
held n of the old fashioned squirrel
punchor rifles that glistenod in tho sun
as he fixed me with his stern and bale
full gaze.
"'Well,' said he, catching a deep
breath, I've seen fools, I've read of
fools, I've heard of fools, but of all the
goldarned fools that ever l saw you are
the goldarned infernalest.
"By that timo l had recovered my
composure to some extent, and reaching
in my pocket / pulled out a $215 gold
piece, the only money l had.
Look here, my friend, l 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
1 reckon I'll take you up But l feel
that l am missing a mighty fine oppor-
tunity.'
~ mounted my horse and rode of,
and that cross eyed mountaineer kept
his word. But never in all my expert
ence have l had such a close shave as l
did on the occasion Of my first drill. -
Chicago Record.
Different Vlawa.