The National tribune., 1898-08-25

Shorty was raging around the team, kick
ing and striking first at one mule and then
at another, and swearing like pirate, alter
nately at the team and then at the ieering
crowds ST was following suit to the best of
his ability, but his pious education had left
him out of sight of Shorty when it came to
using language that the occasion seemed to
Justify. He had, however. yanked Ground
hog out of the saddle. and driven him up the
bank, where he sat down and grnned at the
confusion which had overtaken his enemies
Setting man at the head of each mule to
| coax and encourage him, and the rest of the
company to pushing and pryIng on the
wagon, ST had mounted the wheel-mule him
self and put forth all his mule-knowledge in
one feversh effort which was rs futile as it
was desperate for the mules did not even
change their positions for a rest even when
the wagon was forced forward on them.
A very dapper young Aid, fresh from West
Point, and with that high appreciation for
himself that can only be acquired at the
United States Military Academy. galloped
up. sternly ordering everybody to make way
for him, and
Present the compliments of the Major
General commanding the division, and what
the hel's the matter? f"
Capt. McGilicuddy, to whom the young
gentleman had been referred as in charge
said quietly:
You see: A mule-team has baked and
stopped everything We're doing our best
to start them, bnt 50 far without success"
$50 we all perceive, +" said the young man
superciliously. Why are you not down
there directing them?"
"The men that | have down there thor
oughly understand mules, and are doing
their very utmost They are having, as you
can see, a superfuity of advice which is not
helping them. l can best help by letting
them alone to work it out their own way.
They will do all that men can"
s. | shall report the case to the General, !"
said the Aid, with scarcely concealed inso-
lence "Just like these confounded volun-
teers" he said as he turned away, taking no
pains to keep the Captain from overhearing
Never will be genuine soldiers in the
world. Here, my men," continued he,
riding over to the wagon, stir yourselves
lively, now, and start these wagons along
want no more fooling, and l won't have it.
Start now" 4
Shorty had the usual volunteer dislike to
young West Pointers; like the rest of the
men he cordially hated and ridiculed the
Young and airy staff officers, whether from
West Point or not 1t irritated him to see
the youngsters treatment of his Captain.
Saying snappy things at and about the Cap
tain was a privilege jealousy reserved to
members OF the company. To have any
body outside abuse the Captain was an in
suit to be resented. Above all, his American
soul rose in wrath at the patronizing my
men," He would not have been at all
offended at one of his own rough-and-ready
4 ,,t.
around on all hands, but my men " was
too much for him.
Without appearing to notice the presence
of the Aid, Shorty walked up to the off lead
mule, gave him tremendous Kick in the
ribs, and sung out in tone loud enough to
be heard across the roaring branch
''You pernickety pile o. poll-evil; you hee-
hawin' graduate o. West Point; you PIN
feathered, taller-faced, pop-eyed, lantern
jawed, loud-mouthed Second Lieutenant,
you, won't you git up?"
The other boys began to catch on and
grin. The AIDS face flushed, but Shorty
continued his loud objurgations at the mule:
"You misbegotten pill O. perdition; you
pompous, puddin' headed staff o.Iicer you
miserable errand-boy for the General, putin
on more airs than the General; you half
Matched officer, runnin' around yit with the
shell on your head, and pretendin' to be cock
o. -the-walk, won't you git up?"
Even the Aid began to understand the
drift of Shorty's remarks by this time, and
Capt. McGillicuddy called out warningly:
''Shorty! Shorty! J"
ST looked in amazement at this new de-
velopment of his partners genius. The
officers and men on the other side of the
branch seemed to have forgotten for the
moment the annoyance of the baked team
in enjoyment of Shorty's outburst
''Why under heaven they put such murrain
cattle as you in the army | can't tell, +" he
continued with another savage kick in the
mules side. You only take up room from
your betters. You don't fight, you only
strut like a turkey cock, and eat and he-haw.
Now, will you git up"