The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-11-12

country. 1t seems to me such a dis
grace to the country that its armies at
the front must be decimated to supply
an armed power to enforce law, pre-
serve order and protect the loyal in
the north. Thank God, the enemy at
home is not native element! But,
excuse me, ladies, l have just been
engaged in a controversy with score
of foreign-born loafers and naturalized
enemies. They irritated me so much
that my irritation causes me to forget
myself May l have the honor of
walking with you to camp?"
I'VE would be grateful and happy to
be permitted to take good peep into
the soldiers homes"
The adjutant called a passing SOL
dier to whom he delivered his horse to
he returned to camp, and then Miss
Stella said:
I This is Bell Morton, my best friend.
1 am Stella Zenith, her best friend.
Now, sir, who are you?"
Homer Burton Jaquese, second lieu
tenant of Company E, Ninety first
pennsylvania Cavalry, and ready to
become at once your mutual best
friend
In camp the adjutant exhibited to the
ladies all the details of the soldiers
camp life. He escorted them to the
quartermaster's department, the COM
missary department, showing the
stores Of each; what the soldiers had
to live upon; how it was issued,
cooked and served; how the men slept;
the character and arrangement of
their beds(O; the nature of their pass
times and amusements; explained the
minutiae of guard mount, guard duty,
reliefs, drills, inspection, police of
camp-which is the cleaning of camp
and sanitary measures. Explained the
care of equipments and supplies;
showed them the carbines and pistols;
how to charge, discharge and handle
them; gave an illustration of the sabre
exercise; took them to the stables(?)
and showed how the horses were kept
and provendered, saddled and unsad-
died; bridled and unbridled how
to mount and dismount; how to
turn horse to the right and
to the left; how to start him. to check
him, to stop him and to back him.
Everywhere he carefully gave them a
clear insight into the smallest details
of camp life, duties and doings of cav
/
alrymen.
Having made the tour of the camp
he sent for the chief bugler and order
ed him to sound the call for parade in
the presence of his guests.
When the order was given the camp
was a scene of tranquil idleness. In
an instant, as the sharp notes of the
bugle sounded, the scene changed to
one of hustle, confusion, chaos and dis
order. Disorder speedily crystalized
into order; what was confused mob
of disorganized individuals transform
ed itself into shapely segments from
which evolved long array of aligned
warriors, armed equipped, glittering
in the evening sun, mounted, moving
at a word, with the ready obedience
and precision of great machine an
Swering to steam at the movement Of
a lever.
AS the adjutant resumed his spurs,
sash and sword Miss Stella said:
Have you the privilege of taking
tea out, or do you have to take all
your rationS in camp?"
Il do not mess in camp; 1 take my
rations at the Harrison House, in
town."
| WOulu yOu dCCtDt dA luNlIdl1Ou "
tea this EVENING""
That would probably depend some
what upon the source of the invita-
ton"
"If were the source and the invita-
tion were to take tea with us? Miss
Morton will be there?"
will you excuse me if neither ac-
cept nor decline an invitation that has
not been given?"
Gracious! How precise you are!
Will you take tea with us this even
ing?"
Il shall appreciate the privilege and
will be most happy to avail myself Of
your kindness. I will join you at
any hour you designate if you will
| honor me with the address,"
IF we may we will await you here
and you may accompany us home after
| parade"
Il shall, sub rosa, command the mu-
sicians to beat off at double-quick, he
| laughingly answered as he mounted his
horse which his servant had ready at
the door of his tent. AS he rode away
Miss Stella said to Miss Morton:
Did l not tell you that l would in
troduce him myself?"
"Oh, but that was an accident;
I through the loss of your veil!"
Now Bell don't be goose, there's
dear! Did you ever know me to lose
anything? A veil, handkerchief, a
| glove, ribbon, hair pin, anything?"
At each subdivision of the progress
i've inquiry, Bell shook her head and
Miss Stella continued.
Il loosed that veil and let it blow
away purposely. l knew that he would
be watching us and would be delighted
to restore it to me. That was a great
deal better than to have him climb a
crumbling bank to pull a posey for me
so that he might fall and break an arm
to give me a chance to nurse him aft
erwards!"
Miss Morton answered only with her
eyes; she was speechless with admira-
tion and revered her friend more than
ever, if that were possible.
Parade being over the adjutant re-
| joined the ladies and accompanied
them to Captain Zenith's residence
where he passed a most delightful
evening.