The National tribune., 1899-06-22

glad glad we're W r. in "a the e 2ooth Iniianny, but we
We'll, You can't all be in Co. Q. Only
6Hs OF you. The rests got to go to other
companies"
Say, Corpril,' spoke up Harry Joslyn,
you'll see that j git in, won't you? You
know / shot that rebel at the burnt bridge
And didn't shoot one, too?' put i'll Gid
Mackall. Just rs much as you did.
They want tall men in the company, don't
they, Corpril? Not little runts."
And didn't | watch the crossing down
there at the burnt bridge?7 pleaded Jim
Humphreys.
And git scared to death by nigger
huntin' coons," laughed the others.
who kept the rebel from gittin' back To
the train and settin' it on fire, but me and
Sandy Baker,? piped up little Pete Skid
locomotive. Don't that count for nothin?''
BOYS, said Shorty, leaning on his
musket, and speaking with the utmost
gravity, "this's a great military dooty and
must be performed without fear, favor MOI
affection. I'd like TO have you all in Co. O.
but this s q thing bout which haint got
no say. There's great many things in
the army bout which Corpril haint as
much infOoence as he orter have, as you'll
find out later on. Here comes the Captain
o Co. ., who, because o. his rank, has the
first pick o the recruits. He's never seen
you before and don't know one O. you from
Adams off-ox. He has his own ideas as to
who he wants in the company, and what lie
says goes. 1t may be that the color o.
your hair III decide him, mebbe the look in
your eyes, mebbe the shape O. your noses.
'Tention! Right dress! Front, Salootr'
Capt. McGillicuddy came down at the
head of the company officers of the regi-
ment, and took comprehensive survey OF
the squad.
L. IL 4
marked. They'll make good soldiers"
Every one o them true blue, all wool and
a yard wide. Captain" said ST.
You'll play fair, now, Captain, won't
You, and choose for YOURSELF" said Capt.
Scripps. 'Pve no doubt they're all good
boys, but there's choice in good boys, and
that Sergeant Of yours has learned where
the choice is. You let him stay back,
while you go down the line yourself"
Certainly" replied Capt. McGillicuddy.
"Serg't Klegg stay where you are."
ST saluted and took his position, facing
the line, with look of calm impartiality
upon his face. Shorty turned around and
backed up to him so that the calves of their
legs touched, and began intently studying
his gunlock.
Capt. McGillicuddy stepped over to the
right of the line and stopped in front of
Harry Joslyn and Gid Mackall Shorty
his gun with two sharp clicks.
You two step forward one pace" said
Capt. McGillicuddy, to the two radiant
boys, who obeyed with jump. The Cap
tain walked on down the line, carefully
scrutinizing each one, but did not stop until
Shorty's gun clicked twice when he was in
front Of Alf Russell and Monty Scruggs.
'Step forward one pace he commanded.
He proceeded on down the line until he
came in front of Jim Humphreys and
Sandy Baker, when Shorty's gun clicked
again.
"You two step forward one pace" he
Gentlemen, I've got my six.
The rest are yours"
But you haint got me. You've lost
me-" screamed Pete Skidmore, dismayed at
being separated from Sandy Baker
gun clicked again.
Il believe that there is a fraction Of half a
said, turning to the other officers. I'VE
agreed to draw cuts for that choice. But as
that's the smallest boy in the lot I'll take
him for my fraction. / think that's fair.
Step forward, there, you boy on the left
"All right, Captain" laughed Capt.
Scripps. you've got the pick of the men,
and Pm glad Of it. l know you have, for
| know him of old. I've played cards too
often with Shorty not to keep my eye on him
whenever he is around. l saw through
that gunlock trick"
"The trouble with you fellows" responded
Capt. McGillicuddy, sis that you are con-
stantly hunting around for some reason
rather than the real one for Co. Q being
always ahead Of you. 1t isn't my fault
that Co. Q is the best company in the regi-
ment. 1t simply comes natural to the men
that make up the company. You gentle
men divide up the rest among YOU, and
then come down to the Suffers and We'll
talk the matter over. Serg't Klegg, take
these men down to the company and have
the Orderly provide for them"
Hello, awful glad to see you back-and
you, too, Shorty" said the busy Orderly
speaking in his usual short,
,nappy sentences, without using any more
words than absolutely necessary. I'VE
need you. Short of non-commsh. Two
Sergeants off on detached duty, and two
Ill we're worth. Both of you look fine.
Had nice long rest. In great shape for
work. Pitch in, now, and help me. First,
cts get the names of these kids on the roll
dumphreyS-we've got two other Hum
)hreys, SO you'll answer to Humphreys Sd.
But don't want to be with the Hum
,hreys, SIR broke in Jim. Me and
Hold your tongue said the Orderly
sharply. Don't interrupt me. If you
speak when you're spoken to you'll do all
he talking expected of You. Joslyn,
yOu're after Jones, Sd. M-M-Mackall,
you come after Lawrence"
"But you've put me after JoSlyn," pro-
ested Gid. Hes never ahead of me-"
".Shut up" answered the Orderly. "I do
he talking for this company. Russell,
Scruggs, Skidmore; there, I've got 'em ali
lown. ST, go down toward Co. A and find
Bill Stiles and walk him up to the guard
ent and leave him there to cool off. He's
rot his hide full of coffin varnish somewhere
md of course wants to settle old score with
hat Co. A man, who'll likely knock his
lead off if he catches him. Shorty, go
Jack there to the cook tent and shake up
hose cooks. Give it to them, for they're
,etting lazier every day. | want supper
eady as soon'S we come off dress parade |
Here, you boys, trot along after me to the
luartermaSter'S tent, and draw your
blankets, tents, haversacks and canteens |
Shorty, as soon's you're through with the |
ooks, go to the left of the company and
tart to fixing up place for these boys
ents. ST, get back as sOOn's you can, for
want you to take the squad down after
ations. Then you'll have to relieve Jake |
Varder as Sergeant of the Guard, for |
Takes hardly able to be around"
The Orderly strobe off toward the Quar- !
tent at such pace that it gave |
he boys all they could do TO keep up with |
i'm. Arriving there he called out sharply |
o the Quartermaster-Sergea
"WeS, give me seven blankets" |
That official responded by tossing the re- |