The National tribune., 1899-07-06

dWn make tne tactlcS. Cilt INTO yOul
place, snapped ST.
"Well. 1 don't think much of a teache,
| that can't explain what he's teaching,
mumbled Monty, as he reluctantly obeyed.
Now, Russell, stand next to Hum
phreys; Baker, stand behind Russell;
SkidmOre stand next to Russell"
"GoOdy, I'm in the front rank" giggled
little Pete, and Harry Joslyn looked as if
here was another case of favoritism that he
would have to call the Presidents attention
to.
Now" commanded ST, "put your heel
together, turn your toes out, stand erect,
draw your StomachS in
Look here, Jim Humphreys" grlImbled
Monty Scruggs, when he told you to draw
your stomach in he didn't mean for you to
stick your hips out till you bumped nae over
into the next Township. I've got to have
room to stand here, as well as YOU"
SILENCE in the ranks" commanded ST.
Draw your stomachs III, put your little
fingers down to the seams of your panta-
looms
you mean the middle finger. don't you"
queried Monty Scruggs. That's more
natural way of standing
No, mean the little finger asserted ST.
But the middle finger is more natural"
persisted Monty. you can't stand straight
with your little finger at the seam. See
here"
"Scruggs, do as say, without no words" :"
expression of determination to carry the
matter to a higher court.
Now, keep your faces straight to the
front, and at the command Right dressr
turn your eyes, without moving your
heads, until you kin see the buttons on the
breast of the second man to the right.
Right dress!'"
There's no man on my right for me to
look toward. What m / to do?" COM
planned Gid Mackal1.
There, you see what come O. putting him
in front" exulted Harry Joslyn. "Now, if
I'd bin
Say. 1 can't see up to Jim Humphreys
big breast without twistin' my neck nearly
off, murmured little Pete Skidmore. Cant
you make him scrOoch little? Jest see
him swell up"
whats the use O. linin' on feller that
can't stand still second?" complained the
others.
"Great Scott, what line," groaned 81,
walking along, showing the boys back, and
twisting them around, to get them straight.
Crooked as a punkin vine in corn-field.
Here, told yoI not to turn your heads. but
CAB so much but listen towhat say, you'd
git along better. Silence in ranks Now,
try it over again. Faces straight to the
'front.' Eyes cast to the right, until they
catch the buttons on the breast of the
second man. Right dress!"
Great grief" sighed he, looking at the
result. "You wriggle about like so many
eeis. Might as well try to line up so many
kittens. Won't YOU straighten up and
keep straight?' Then came renewal of
the noisy discussion, with mutual blaming
of one another.
ST picked up stick and drew a line in the
ground. Now bring your toes to that line,
and keep 'em there"
Shall we take that scratch along with us
as we march, or will you draw another one
for US as we need it,? Monty Scruggs
asked, at which the other boys laughed,
which did not improve Sis temper. 1t was
long, hard work before he got the restless.
talkative young fellows so that they would
form a fairly straight line, and maintain it
for minute or two.
He looked at them, wiped his perspiring
brow, and remarked internally:
well, | thought them was bright boys,
that it'd be no trouble to drill. I'd ruther
tSeak in the stoopidest lot o hayseeds that
ever breathed, rather than boys that think
they know more'n | do. Now I'm goin'
to have the time O my life learnin' 'em the
right face
He began the explanation of that COM
plicated manuver:
'sNow, want every one O. you to stop
talkin', gether up them scatter-fire brains o.
your'n, and pay strict 'tention to every
Harry Joslyn,' broke in Gid, eff you
tramp on my heels just one more time, I'll
knock your head off. I've told you often
enough"
well. you just keep often my toes with
them rock-grinders O your'n, Harry re-
torted.
"Silence in ranks" commanded ST.
Each rank will count twos."
What are twos? Where are they, and
how many OF 'em do you want us to count?'
asked Monty Scruggs, at which the other
boys snickered. They were getting very
tired OF the drill. and in the humor to nag
and balk the drillmaster. ST lost a trifie of
his temper, and said:
YOU'RE too all-fred smart with your
tongue, Scruggs. II you were only half as
smart learnin' your business"-
Sergeant" said one of the Lieutenants
who happened to be passing, keep your
sauabble with your men,"
This made the boys much worse.
what / mean by countin' twos," ex-
planned 81, "is that tho man on the right in
each rank shall count one, the next one,
two; the next one, one, and so on. Count
twos!'
They made such an exasperating muddle