The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-24

The roll of the reveille drums and
the trumpet's brazen falsetto did not
serve in the least to disturb the morose
meditations of Private Patrick Francis
Tiernan, 7th United States cavalry, who
was walking post at old Fort Runyon,
Mont, in the gray Of that Thanksgiv-
ing day morning in the year 1880 The
officer of the day had just rounded X
troops quarters, and his military fg-
ure was making rapidly for the guard
house. There was a surliness in the
tone of the sentry, as, in accordance
with regulations, he turned out the
guard for the approaching officer. Pri-
vate Herman. with face that was but
a mirror Of the state of hic mind. came
from port to a carry and to
present" with a violence that did
damage to the palm of his left hand,
and looked straight at the passing cap
tain with an air of logged determine
ton that was mentally intended TO be
an expression of the utmost inditfer-
ence. The officer of the day returned
the salute with more military preci"
sion than was usual in such per-
functory interchange of courtesies, ana
as his eyes met those of the stalwart
pathy stole into his face-but Private
Tiernan would not see it that way.
Private Patrick Francis Herman,
Troop X, until day before yesterday
sergeant of 27 years standing, was now
walking post like the veriest rookie"
in the Fort Runyon outfit. On his
dress coat hanging yonder in the bar
racks were six service stripes, and vet
here he was No. l, second relief, pac-
ing beat for the first time since he
had stood guard outside Grants tent
before Vicksburg. Twenty-seven years
a sergeant, and now. oh, the thought
of it chilled his veteran heart as the
morning mountain wind chilled his vet
eran bones. He heard the men going
ito stables" at route step" discussing
the great spread that was to be given
in the mess hall in honor of Thanks
giving day Thanksgiving day, what
was that to a man who, though "
years a non-commissioned officer, was
now a private, reduced to the ranks
by the finding of a court-martial fer
drunkenness, and that court-martial
convened by the order of his colonel?
And the colonel the man with whom
Tiernan had soldiered all through the
years that the officer was rising step
by step from the rank of subaltern
of horse to that of the command of
the crack cavalry regiment of the SER
Tiernans teeth clicked like the lock
of his carbine when brought to
ready"
After the new guard had been mount
ed that morning Private T'ernan made
his way to his quarters and without
word to his fellows, who looked at the
veteran a bit curiously slipped into
blouse on whose sleeves two wide
streaks of blue darker than the sur
rounding cloth marked like brand, so
1t seemed to Tiernan's thoughts, the
places from which his chevrons had
been cut. He left the barracks and
headed for the stables. AS he passed
the door of the commissary the colonel
came out and met him face to face
Tiernans hand went to his cap in rigid
salute.
"Good morning, sergeant" said Colo
mel Blake. The old title slipped out
naturally.
private Herman, sir, now" was the
answer in a tone that implied that 1t
would be pleasure to add, Thanks
to you"
LAS you will, Herman; where are you
going?"
"Im on old guard post; I've walked
post all night and I'm going to ride over
to Miles City, sir"
Are you going to drink to-day, SER
geant?"-the title again.
private, sir; I don't know; there's
not many that care
"Tiernan. we've soldiered in the same
command for nearly 80 years. Yours
was a growing fault. A deep interest
and a liking sometimes moves a man to
do a disgreeable duty. Enough of this,
however. I want you to promise me
that you won't drink to-day. Get out
of the mud. Herman, get out Of the
mud Promise me that you'll not
drink"
whats my word worth? I'm not an
officer and a gentleman
ut does not always need strap on
the shoulder to make gentleman,
Herman. I've known the chevron and
the plain sleeve to do the trick as well.
Promise me-"
The answer came half sulkily: "Wen,
If you want me to promise. 1 WILL"
Then the trooper turned and strobe
away to the stables, taking no notice
of the hand which he knew instructive
ly was held out to grasp his.
At the stables some of the officers
children were Harvesting a pony to
cart They had long held the veteran
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