The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-05-02

SAAS
wished and as sound as bell. The
majors smiled with sober joy, and the
subalterns waltzed in pairs down the
messroom after dinner and nearly shot
themselves at revolver practice. But
there was CONSERVATION in the hearts of
Jakin and Lew. What was to be done
with the drumsi Would the band go to
the front? How many of the drums
would accompany the regiment3
They took counsel together, sitting in
tree and smoking.
It's more than bloomin toss up
they'll leave us behind at the depot with
the women. You'll like that" said
Jakin sarcastically.
Cause O. Girls, you mean7 Wot'sa
woman. or a ole bloomin depot o.
women, 'longside o. the chanst o. field
service9 You know I'm as keen on go
in as you, !" said Lew.
swish I was bloomin bugler, :"
said Jakin sadly. "They'll take Tom
Kidd along. that can plaster wall
with, an like as not they won't take
us.
Then let's go an make Tom Kidd SO
bloomin sick e can't bugle no more.
You old lis lands an I'll kick him. .
said Lew. wriggling on the branch.
That amt no good, neither. We
amt the sort o characters to presoon
on our rep 'tations They re bad. If they
have the band at the depot, we don't
go. an no error there. If they take the
band, we may get cast for medical un-
fitness. Are You medical fit, Piggy ?"
said Jakin, digging Lew in the ribs
with force.
.sYus," said Lew, with an oath.
"The doctor says your carts weak
through smokin on an empty STUN
mick. Throw chest. an I'll try
yer.
.Jakin threw out his chest, which
Lew smote with all his might. Jakin
turned very pale, gasped, crowed,
screwed up his eyes and said. ssThat's
all right. .
ssYou'll do. said Lew. GIVE 'eard
O. men dyin when you it 'em fair on
the breastbone. .
Don't bring us no nearer goin,
though" said Jakin. s.Do you know
where we're ordered?''
"Gawd knows, an g won't split on
pal. Somswheres up to the front to
kill Paythans- hairy big beggars that
turn you inside out if they get old O.
you. They cay their women are good
lookin too"
.'Any loot?'' asked the abandoned
Jakin.
''Not a bloomin anna, they say, I'M
less you dig up the ground an see what
the niggers ave i'd. They're a poor
lot. Jakin stood upright on the branch
and gazed across the plain.
Lew. said he, there's the colonel
comm. Colonel's good old beggar.
Let's 60 an talk to i'm
Lew nearly fell out of the tree at the
audacity of the suggestion. Like Jakin,
he feared not God, neither regarded he
man, but there are limits even to the
audacity of drummer boys, and to speak
to colonel was
But Jakin had slid down the trunk
and doubled in the direction of the colo
mel. That officer was walking. wrapped
in thought end visions of G. B.-yes
even K. G. B., for had he not at COM
mand one Of the best regiments of the
line-the Fore and Fit? And he was
aware Of two small boys charging down
upon him. Once before it had been sol
emily reported to him that sthe drums
were in a state of mutiny," Jakin and
Lew being the ringleaders. This looked
like an organized conspiracy.
The boys halted at 30 yards walked
to the regulation four PAGES and saluted
together, each as we'll set up as ram
rod and little taller.
The colonel was in genial mood, the
boys appeared very forlorn and unpro-
tected on the desolate plain. and one of
them was handsome.
s'Well!" said the colonel, recognizing
them. ''Are you going to pull me down
in the open9 I'm sure never interfere
with you, even though he shifted sus-
piciously-'s you have been smoking
1t was time to strike while the iron
was hot. Their hearts beat tumultuous-
~.
t'Beg your pardon, sir, began Jakin.
ssThe reg ment' IS ordered on active serv-
ice, sir?'
$50 / believe. said the colonel cour-
teously.
els the band goin, sir ?" said both to-
gether. Then, without pause. "We're
goin, sir, aint wei"
"Youl'' said the colonel, stepping
back the more fully to take in the two
small figures. you! You'd die in the
first march,"
..No, we wouldn't. sir. We can
march with the regiment anywheres-
p'rade an anywhere else, 4" said Jakin.
eff Tom Kidd goes, ell shut up like a
clasp knife, = said Lew. "Tom as very
close veins in both lis legs. sir. :"
every how much7'
every close veins, sir. That's why
they swelis after long GRADE. sir. If e
can co. we can go, sir.
Again the colonel looked at them long
and intently.
eyes. the band is going" he said as
grayely as though he had been address
ing a brother officer. "Have you any
n