Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-12-27

1AAA5 pou ~ Aoa ACRA4Sa tAC OLu0Is
gazing wistfully about over the throng
of faces, as though in search Of some
one sufficient in rank and authority to
serve her purpose. 1--WE plead in vain
with the oficer-of-the-guard. He says
his orders are imperative-to allow no
one to intrude on that space" and
madam looked as though she would
rather look anywhere than at the ami
mated sprite above her.
"What nonsense!" shrilled Mrs. Gar
rison. "Here, Cherry" she called to
pretty girl, standing near the base of
the pile, "give me my bag. I'm army
woman enough TO know that order re-
ferred only to the street crowd that
sometimes works in on the pier and
steals" The bag was duly passed up to
her. She cast one swift glance over the
heads of the crowd to where hand
some carriage was slowly working it,
way among the groups of prattily-
dressed women and children-friends
and relatives of members. of the depart
ing commands, in whose behalf, al
though by special dispensation, the or
der excluding all but soldiers and tho
Red Cross had been modified, Already
the lovely dark-eyed girl on the near
side had waved her hand in greeting,
responding to Mrs. Garrison's en-
thusiastic signals, but her companion,
equally lovely, though of far different
type, seemed preoccupied, perhaps UNI
willing to see, for her large, dark,
thoughtful eyes were engaged with
some object on the opposite side-not
even with the distinguished looking
soldier who sat facing her and talking
quietly at the moment with Mr.. Prime.
There was CLEAN of triumph in Mrs.
Garrison's dancing eyes as she took out
fiat notebook and pencil and dashed
off few lines in bold and vigorous
strokes. Tearing out Che page, she rap
idly read it over, folded it and glanced
Iimperiously about her. A cavalry SER
geant, one of the home troop destined
to remain at the Preside, was leaning
over the edge of the pier, hanging on to
an iron ring and shouting some part
ing words to comrades on the upper
deck, but her shrill soprano cut through
the dull roar of deep, masculine voices
| land the tramp of feet on resounding
woodwork.
Sergeant" she cried, with quick de-
cision. "Take this over to the officer
in command of that guard. Then bring
dozen men and move these two tables
across the pier" The cavalryman
glanced at the saucy little woman in
the stunning costume, "took in" the
gold crossed sabres, topped by regi-
mental number in brilliants that
pinned her martial collar at the round,
white throat noted the ribbon and
pin and badge of the Red Cross, and
the symbol of the Eighth corps in red
enamel and gold upon the breast of her
jacket, and above all the ring of ac-
customed authority in her tone, and
never hesitated a second. Springing
to the pile of boxes he grasped the pa
per, respectfully raised his cap and
bored his stalwart way across the pier.
In three minutes he was back-half
dozen soldiers at his heels.
"Where'll you have 'em, ma'am-
miss?" he asked, as the men grasped
the supports and raised the nearmost
table.
Straight across and well over to the
edge" she answered, in the same crisp
tones of command. Then, with tota,
and instant change of manner, 81 sup
pose your tables should go first,
Madam President" she smilingly said.
1T shall be as you wish about the
Others"
And the Red Cross was vanquished.
II declare" said an energetic official,
moment later, leaning back on her
throne of lemon boxes and tanning her
self vigorously, "for whole hour I've
been trying to move that officers
heart and convince him the order
didn't apply to us. Now how did-she
do it?"
"The officer must be some old-some
personal FRIEND" hazarded the secre-
tary, with q quick feminine compre-
hensive glance at the little lady now
being lifted up to shake hands with
the carriage folk, after being loaded
with compliments and congratulations
by the ladies of the two favored tables.
mot at all" was the prompt reply.
"He is volunteer officer she never
set eyes on before to-day. I would
like to know what was on that paper"
But now the roar of cheering and the
blare of martial music had reached the
very gateway. The broad portals were
thrown open and in blue and brown,
crushed and squeezed by the attend
ant throng, the head of the column of
infantry came striding on to the pier.
The band, wheeling to one side, stood
at the entrance, playing them in, the
rafters ringing to the stirring strains
of 1.-The Liberty Bell" They were
still far down the long pier, the slop-
ing rifles just visible, dancing over the
heads of the crowd. No time was to
be lost. More tables were to be car
ried, but-who but that-"that little
army woman" could give the order SO
that it would be obeyed. Not one bit
did the president like to do it, but
something had to be done to obtain
the necessary order, for the soldiers
who SO willingly and promptly obeyed
her beck and call were now edging
away for look at the newcomers, and
Mrs. Frank Garrison, perched on the
carriage step and chatting most vi
vaciously with its occupants and no