Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-06-15

der stoppages. You must be logged
again.
''Beg your pardon, sir. Can't we say
nothin in our own defense, sir 2" shrill-
ed Jakin.
Hey Whats Are you going TO
argue with meT' said the colonel.
mo. sir, said Lew. "But if man
come to you, sir, an said he was goin
TO report you, sir, for avin bit of a
turn up with friend sir an wanted
to get money ont o you, sir
The orderly room exploded in roar
Of laughter. "Well2" said the colonel
THAT was what that measly jarnwar
there did, sir, an ed a done it, sir,
if we admit prevented i'm. We didnt
it i'm much, sir E admit no manner
O. right to interfere with us. sir. |
don t mind bein logged by the drum
major, sir, nor yet reported by any
corp'ral, but Im-but don't think
it's fair. sir, for a civilian to conr an
talk over a man in the army"
A second shout of laughter shook the
orderly room, but the colonel was grave.
"What sort of characters have these
boysf'' he asked of the regimental ser
geant major
"Accordin to the bandmaster, sir,
returned that revered official-the only
soul in the regiment whom the boys
feared-"they do everything but lie,
sir. .
''Is il like we'd go for that man for
fun, sirf' said Lew, pointing TO the
plaintiff.
"Oh, Observation-Disclosures
said the colonel testify, and when the
boys had gone he read the bazaar ser
geant's son a lecture on the sin Of I'M
profitable meddling and gave orders
that the bandmaster should keep the
drums in better discipline.
IF either Of You comes to practice
again with so much as a scratch on
your two ugly little faces, Numbered
the bandmaster "I'll tell the drum
major to take the skin off your backs
Understand that, you young devils.
Then he repented Of his speech for
just the length Of time that Lew, look
ing like a seraph in red worsted embel.
lishments, took the place Of one of the
trumpets-in hospital-and rendered
the echo of battle piece. Lew certain
ly was a musician and had often in
his more exalted moments expressed
yearning to master every instrument
of the band.
There's nothing to prevent your be-
coming a bandmaster Lew. said the
bandmaster, who had composed waltzes
of his own and worked day and night
in the interests of the band
"What did he sayY demanded Jakin
after practice.
"Said | might be bloomin band
master an be asked in to ave glass o
sherry wine ON mess nights. -
"Hol Said you might be bloomin
noncombatant, did 'ei That's just
about wet e would say. When I've put
in my boys service-it's a bloomin
shame that don't count for pension
I'll take ON a privit. Then III be
lance in year-knowin what | know
about the ins an outs o things. In three
years I'll be a bloomin sergeant 1
won't marry then, not |. I'll old on
an learn the OFF GERS ways an apply
for exchange into a reg ment that
doesn't know all about me Then / II he
a bloomin orr Ger. Then Ill ask you to
ave glass o sherry wine, Mr.. Lew,
an You'll bloomin well ave to stay in
the hanty room while the mess sergeant
brings it to your dirty ands "
"S'pose I'm goin to be bandmas-
teri Not /, quite I'll Re a orr Ger too
There's nothin like takin TO a thing
an stickin to it. the sohoolmaster says
The reg 'ment don't go ONE for another
seven years. III be lance then or
near tc.