The National tribune., 1899-03-23

of military etiquet; but one day, when hs
was accompanying the General on a tour o
inspection, and walking stiffly at the regula
tiOn distance behind, soldier drunk enough
to be ugly lurched past, muttering somt
sreers about "big shoulder-straps."
Shorty instantly snatched him by tn;
collar and Strengthened him up.
Take the position of soldier" he com
manded.
The astonished man tried TO obey.
Throw your chest out" commanded
Shorty, punching him in the ribs. Little
fingers down to the seams Of your pantaloons,
with cuff at his ears. Put your heels to.
gether, and turn out your toes" kicking him
on the shin. " Hold up your head" jabbing
him under the chin. "Now respectfully sa.
Lutte"
The cowed man clumsily obeyed.
Now, take that to learn you how to be,
have after this in the presence of a General
officer" concluded Shorty, giving him a
blow in the face that sent him over
The General had walked on, apparently
without seeing what was going on. But
after they had passed out of the sight of the
group which the affair had gathered, he
turned and said to Shorty:
Corporal, discipline must he enforced in
the army, but don't you think you were a
little 100 summary and condign with that
man?"
Hardly know what you mean by sum-
mary and condign, General. But if you
mean warm by summery, Pll say that he
didn't git it half hot enough. If I'd had my
strength back I'd a. condigned his head off.
But he got his lesson jest when he needed it,
and he'll be condigned sure to behave de-
Gently hereafter"
Just then ex-Lieut. Col. Billings came BY
He was dressed in citizens clothes, and he
glared at Shorty and the General, but there
was something in the latter's face and carriage
which dominated him in spite of himself, his
camp associations asserted themselves, and
instinctively his hand went to his hat in q
salute.
This was enough excuse for Shorty. He
fell back until the General was around the
corner, out of sight, and then went up to
Billings.
"Mister Billings" said he, sternly, "what
was the Generals orders about wearin' any
thing military"
"Outrageouslv tyrannical and despotic,"
answered Billings hotly. But jest what
you might expect from these Abolition sa-
traps, who're throttlin' our liberties. A
white mans no longer got any rights in this
country that these military upstarts is bound
to respect. But I'm obeyin' the order till l
kin git an appeal from it."
YOU'RE liar. You're not, " said Shorty,
"Why, what In the world have got on
that's military? ?" asked Billings, looking
himself over.
YOU'RE wearin' military saloot which
you have no business to. You've got no
right to show that you ever was in the army,
or so much rs seen a regiment. You saloOted
the General jest now. Don't you ever let me
see you do it to him agin, or to no other Off
GER. You mustn't do nothin' hut take off
your hat and bow. You hear me-"
Shorty was rubbing it in on his old tor
mentor in hopes to provoke him to fight |
But the cowed man was too fearful of pub
icity just then. lie did not know what
might be held in reserve to spring upon him.
He shambled away, muttering:
40, 90 on, Grind down upon me-
You'll be wantin' to send me to a Lincoln
bastie next. But day will come when
white men'll have their rights agin."
Unfortunately for Shorty, however, be was
having things too much his own way. There
we're complaints that he was acting as if he
,wned Headquarters.
Even the General noticed it, and would
say in tones of gentle remon-
trance:
'See here, Corporal, you are carrying too
zig load Leave something for the rest of
Is to do. We are getting bigger pay than
'ou are, and should have q chance to earn
'ur money"
But Shorty would not take the hint. With |
lis rapidly returning strength there had come |
What 81 termed lone Of his bull-headed |
pells," " which inevitably led to n cataclysm, |
lnless it could he worked off legtimately, as |
t usually was at the front by toilsome |
march, a tour of hard fatigue duty, or |
'attle or skirmish. But the routine of Head |
quarters duties left him too much chance to |
et "fat and sassy"
One day the General and his staff had to |
o over to Louisville to attend some great |
military function, and Shorty was left alone
n charge of Headquarters. There was |
othing for him to do but hold a chair down, |
nd keep anybody from carrying off the |
Headquarters. This was dangerous |