The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-02-18
.. Garry armsI-

We'll done, comrades, said i. In
voice to my imaginary
squadron. You do remarkably well for
men who have seen SO little service.
Then bracing myself against the log
called out:
Attention, company
BY the right wbeelr
Forward March,
"Then / 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,
comradesp said /, taking q 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
Haiti
Stack ahmsP
"'Break ranksp
Comrades, cried I, in q voice trom-
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. feel that can rely upon each
and every one 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 fash of your eyes and the bearing
| of your manly forms ] behold that pride
| of patriotism which should animate our
| country's defenders, and / 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
firesides to death or glorious victory
"'Captain Mills, said I, initiating
the supposititious voice Of my first lieu
tenant, I'VE have listened with the pro-
foundest pleasure to your words Of kind
" commendation, 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 hal
You as Major General Mills, command
ing the Georgia militia.
Lieutenant said in trembling
voice, as if too much overcome for Mt
terance and drawing my bandanna hand
kerchief from my hat, I Garnet expires
the feelings Of deep qualification whicl
your words have inspired in my heart
only hope that our relations may b
| always as pleasant as they have been O
this occasion of our first meeting as com
mander and faithful followers. IL
now with feelings of the deepest intel
: est in Your future welfare that bid 20
; goodby.'
"sCaptain Mills, said /, again i'm
tating the lieutenant, we all join in r.
: turning to you our most hearty goo
wishes. Comrades, three cheers and
! tiger for Captain Mills Of the Lo
Mountain volunteers.
"Hip-hip-hoo-ra-yr
. "When the echoes Of that cheer hs
! died away, pulled off my military CO..
and sash, carefully wrapped them
and placed them in my saddlebaI
along with copy of Scott's tactics, an
8 donning my everyday overcoat startt
! to mount my horse. had one foot
. the stirrup when heard little rusthr
!. in the foliage of the fallen tree.
q Turning around, stood face to Ia
q with the tallest mountaineer that ev
q laid ewes upon. He rose slowly out
v the crotch of the tree, and it seemed
/ me that he grew taller and taller as
) straightened himself. He was red whis
cred, red faced and cross eyed, and
, flaming hair fell in wild profusion fro
y uuder his coonskin cap. In his hand
g held one Of the old fashioned squirl
J puncher rifles that glistened in the 81
i as he fixed me with his stern and bsl
r full gaze. :,
s. W.well,' said he. catching a de
TX breath, I've seen fools, I've read
3 fools, I've heard of fools, but OF all
n coldarned fools that ever l saw You
N the Qoldarned infernalest.'
ID "By that time / had recovered
composure to some extent. and reach'
r. in my pocket pulled out ~ u go
ID piece, the only money had.
ne "'Look here, my friend, don't s.
OF pose that you feel any particular int
G. sst in telling about this thing. You
ny take this and say no more about 1t.
x "'Well, said he, signing regretful
- 'as am not in the fool killing busin
or I reckon I'll take you up. But
ne that am missing mighty fine OPT
gu tunity.'
ny az mounted my horse and rode
and that cross eyed mountaineer
mt his word. But never in all my exp
'r- ence have i had such a close shave
W. did on the occasion Of my first drill