Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1899-01-05

NANNY, whom he ordered around as
though she were dog and who obeyed
him as willingly, went to see them every
" Y va, not lone before the soldiers.
became his devoted slaves. Perhaps
they thought of the dear ones at home.
and of little figure that had waved
good-by as they marched off. From the
grave and reverend colonel down to the
scrap Of drummer boy the whole regi-
ment was literally at the Cap'n's feet.
It was company B that first adopted
him. One morning, on dress parade,
Lieut.. Martin stated that he had new
recruit, q commissioned officer, whom
he would introduce to the men. He
went into the officers tent and led out
Z the Cap'n, dressed in full uniform,
sword and belt and all. The soldiers
set up cheer that shook the very trees.
And the Cap'n walked slowly down in
front Of the long line and took of his
little hat and bowed sober bow, and
said, as though he had been so years
old and real general: "My men, I'm
glad to belong to comply B.. thank
you for your kind reception"
Then the soldiers almost split their
threats with shouting, until the colonel
OF the regiment came riding over to see
what the matter was. Company B was
the most stuck-up company in the en-
tire regiment from that day forward
Did not the Cap'n belong to it, and
was not he mascot? Men of the other
companies tried to beg or borrow the
Cap'n. but company B only laughed a.
them. They sought to bride the Capri:
but he indignantly refused to leave his
first love. Only once was he tempted.
and that was when company offered
him little pony, with saddle and
bride, if he would ride with them on
dress parade. But he did not go any
further than the officers tent, and then
said, in his childish drawl: Excuse
me, but must go back to comp'ny b.
The men Of company B heard Of it.
and they ransacked the country for q
pony for the Cap'n. Finally they found
one. about the size of large St. Ber-
nard dog, and equally as gentle. They
fitted the pony out with bride and sad
die, and made the presentation in
proper form to the Cap'n.
Each morning thereafter the Cap'n
rode his pony out in front of The men
and gravely inspected them. He would
blow little bugle and wave his sword.
He sat firm and dignifed, and touched
his hat in military salute, like a trained
veteran of half hundred years. Not
man in the company but would have
rolled in the dust for him-or, what
seemed little more serious to them.
would have faced death at the lannon's
mouth. He ruled them like tyrant.
Thus the long summer days came
and went. The Cap'n would ride from
his home mile away, to the white city
OF tents. His old nanny followed him
on foot, and hung around the camp and
watched him from afar. Sometimes his
little sister came, bit Of baby with
rosk cheeks and great brown eyes. The
soldiers thronged about him, made min,
curious toys of twigs and leaves, and
talked to him in fashion almost rever-
entail. He stood in their eyes for wife
and children.
But one day the unexpected hap
pened, as it always does in war-and
peace. The regiment was stationed on
guard duty. The men were held in re-
serve miles away from the active war
fare, and had grumbled much thereat
They were eager to show their patriot
ism by fighting.
The opportunity came. The enemy.
by q forced march, hurled detacn-
i ment double their number upon the
camp. The pickets were surprised, cap
tured or driven in. The regiment was
4 at breakfast. There was hurried call
q arms, and lines were formed as rap