The National tribune., 1899-05-04

q
Squad to Breakfast.
Much to their amazement. the boys walked
up the next morning in Nashville, and found
that they had passed through the "dark and
bloody ground of Kentucky absolutely
without adventure.
"How in the world'd we ever git clean
through the State without the least bit o.
troubIe?" asked Harry Joslyn. as they stood
together on the platform, awaiting the return
of 81 and Shorty, who had gone to see about
their breakfast at was fight from the
word 60 with the other men from the minute
they struck Kentucky"
Probably it was Corpril Elliott's good
management" suggested Gid Mackall, whose
hero-worship of Shorty grew apace. 81 tell
you, there aint trick o. soldierin' that he
amt up to-"
"Corpril Elliott's "sneered Harry JosIyn.
You're just stuck on Corpril Elliott. II it
was anybody's good management it was
Sargint Kleag's. I tell you, he's the boss.
He got shot through the breast, while Corpril
Elliott only got crack over the head. That
settles it as to who's the best soldier. Pm
kind O. sorry that we didn't have no trouble.
Mebbe the folks at home'll git the idea that
we skulked and lodged"
lHdt > ~, uCCUfuco luo OtucIoy Will
troubled look.
'.Bat we are now in Tennessee, " chirped in
Gid Mackall hopefully. "That's ever so
rebels purity soon now. They won't let so
they kin help it." And Gid looked around
on his companions, as if he thought their
arrival would turn the scale and settle the
;ate Of the Confederacy. They'll probably
Jump us Just as soon as We leave town.
Them big forts on the hills mebbe keeps them
outside now, but they're layin' for rs Just
beyond. Wonder if We'll git our guns here !?
Mebbe that's what the Sargint and Cor
pril's gone for"
''They said they were going for our break
fast, 2" said Harry. "And l hope it's true,
for Pm hungrier'n o rip-saw. But l could
put off breakfast for awhile, if they'd only
bring us our guns. / hope they'll be nice
Springfield rifles, tbat'n kill a man at q
mile"
"Tention!" commanded ST. "Fall in
in single rank 'cordin' to your size. Tall
boys on the right, short ones on the left,
medium size in the center. Gid Msckall,
you're the tallest. You can go there to the
corner O. the platform, and let the others
form on you"
ST stepped back into the she'd to look after
some matters.
Harry Joslyn whipped around, and took
his stand on the right Of Gid Mackall.
"Here," protested Gid; ".sargint Klegg
told me to stand on the right You're
smaller'n me- Git on the other side"
81 won't do it." answered Harry. "I've
always stood ahead O. you in school, ever
since we were in the primer-claas, and
amt goin' to stand behind you In tho army.
You needn't try to gouge me- out O. my
rights because you're half-a-head taller
Pm two months older'n you, and 1 can
throw you in q wrastle every time"
~ tell you," said Gid, giving Harry an
angry shove toward the left, that this is
my place, and Pm goin' to stand here The
Sargint told me to. Go down where you
belong, you little rat"
The hot-headed Harry mixed up with him
Immediately, school-boy fashion. Shorty
rushed up and separated the two, giving
Harry sharp shake. "Stop that, and 90
down to your place in the CENTER" said he
"Yes; you side with him." whimpered
Harry, "because he praises you, and says
you're better soldier'n Slrgint Klegg. I'm
goin' to tell Sargins Klegg that"
Here" said 81, sternly, as he came back
again. "What's all this row? Why don't
you boys fall In 'cordin' to size, as told
yous"
"Sargint," protested Harry, "Gid
Macksli wants to stand at the head o. the
class Pm older'n him, ean spell him
down, and can throw him In -
81 Interrupted the appeal by taking Harry
By the ear and marching him to his place.
Look here" he said, "when you git an
order from anyone, don't give 'em no back
talk. That's tho frs. thing you've got to
learn, and the earlier you learn 1t the less
trouble You'll have. II you dom, like it,
take IL out In swearin' under your breath,
but obey" /