Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-24

He got into the generals tent one day
by mistake, and on repeated occasions
got lost in the other regiments Of the
division. His captain was somewhat
irritable, at best, and much inclined ia
be exacting. He conceived q violent dis.
like for the new man," as he was com.
monty called, and for Q month or more
made his life miserable. Nothing that
the recruit could do pleased him. He
did not stand square in the ranks, nor
sit erect OF his meals, nor do anything,
in fact, as the captain wanted it done.
The new man" bore 1t all patiently,
but sometimes 1t was observed that his
face grew pale under the captain's re-
proof, and that his eyes burned like
Goals Of fire.
He got through somehow at last with
his preliminary training, and was taken
up finally on the morning report as
q private, and on the next day marched
on guard. Unfortunately his captain
marched on the same morning as officer
Of the day. The "new man" was placed
on an outpost Of the camp guard, and
at once began walking his "beat" in
dustriously in the hot sun, repeating
quietly to himself, as he went back and
forth, the special instructions that had
been given him, in order that he might
be ready to rattle them off," he said,
IT any of the officers should come
around and ask for them. Some time
late in the afternoon the officer Of the
day approached him. and. after ac.
knowledging his salute, directed him to
repeat his instructions.
II allows no one to monkey around
here" he began.
Whats that% exclaimed the officer
of the day, severely.
u allows no one to monkey. around
here" repeated the sentinel, in much
louder tone. II allows"
whats that? What's that?" repeat.
ed the officer Of the day, his voice
pitched at a high key.
The sentinel instantly dropped his
rifle to the order, and, rising on his toes,
fairly screamed:
Il allows no one to monkey around
here! told you so before. I've for.
gotten the rest Of it, but"
'That will dol That will do!' ex.
claimed the officer of the day, sharply,
"Call the corporal Of the guard"
II don't know bis name." replied the
sentinel.
Call the corporal OF the guard" per.
sisted the officer Of the day, and after
some further emphatic instructions
from the captain cry went up for the
corporal Of the guard! Post number
four!"
The corporal came promptly and the
sentinel soon thereafter found himself
stripped Of his equipments
and prisoner in the guard tent. On
investigation It was found, principally
the statement Of the prisoner
that the instructions he had
attempted to give to the officer Of the
day had been communicated to him as
by some roguish comrade. He
was therefore released from confne-
ment at length and again trusted with
q sentinel's post. 1t was nearly mid.
night when the officer Of the day
again approached him. He very prompt.
|y challenged, and on receiving the re.
ply, "Officer Of the day." again aston
shed the captain by cordial Thank |
you! Please advance, sir, and be recon.
ciled."
This was too much Of a draft upon |
both the dignity Of the captain and the |
discipline of the service, and the sentinel |
Tound himself speedily prisoner once
more in the guard tent. Again on IN
'estigation it was discovered, princi-
ally as before, on the prisoners own
violence, that the comrades Of the
new man" had been playing tricks on |
lin, and, approaching his post after
lark. had announced themselves as the
officer of the day." or the command
ng officer" as suited their fancy. He
vas therefore again released, and once
more placed on post. Just before day !