The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-02-16

proper distance, but double their force
could have accomplished nothing-the
omniscient corporal could not help
them, and after asking one or two stray
officers what they would do about it, the
sentries gave way and the crowd
swarmed in. 1t was Just as the head of
the long tramping column came OPP
| posite the reviewing point, and the
brigade commander and his staff, turn
ing out after sauting, found their al
lotted station on the right of the review
ing party completely taken up by the
mass of eager spectators. A minute or
so was required before the trouble
could be remedied, for just as the Off
GERS and orderlies were endeavoring to
induce the populace to give way
thing the American always ressts with
gay good humor that is peculiarly his
OWN nervous hack driver on the out
skirts backed his bulky trap with unex-
| pccted force, and pcnned between it and
the wheels Of a newly-arrived and much
more presentable cquipage fair eques-
trian who shrickcd with fright and
chung TO her pommel as her excited
mount dashed out with his heels and
made splinters of the hacks rearmost
spokes and felloes. Down went the
hack on its axle point. Out sprang a tall
officer from the open carriage, and in a
second, it seemed, transferred the panic
stricken horsewoman from the seismat-
ic saddle TO the safety of his own seat,
and the ministrations of the two young
women and the gray-haired civilian
who were the latest arrivals. This done,
and after one quick glance at the lady's
helpless escort, n young officer from the
Preside, he shouldered his way through
the crowd and stood, presently, on its
inner edge, an unpcrturbed and most
interested spectator. Battalion after
battalion, in heavy marching order, in
the dark blue service dress. with cam
paign hats and leggins, with ranks well
closed and long, well-aiigned fronts,
with accurate trace of the guides and
well-Judged distance, the great regi-
ments came striding down the gentle
slope, conscious, every officer and man,
of the admiration they commanded.
Armstrong, himself commander of
fine regiment of volunteers in another
brigade, looked upon them with a sol
dier's eye, and looked approvingly.
Then, as the rearmost company passed
the reviewing point and gentlemen with
two stars on each shoulder extended
their congratulations to the reviewed
commander with one, Armstrong also
made his way among the mounted Off
GERS in his calm, deliberate fashion.
needless of threatening heels and
crowding forehands, until he. too. could
say his word of cordial greeting. He
had to wait few minutes, for the gen-
eral officers were grouped and talking
earnestly. He heard few words and
knew well enough what was meant
that quantities of stores intended for
the soldiers, even dainties contributed
by the Red Cross society, had been
stolen from time TO time and spirited
of in the dead of night, and doubtless
sold in town for the benefit of a pack
or unknown scoundrels enlisted for no
better purpose. In his own regiment
his system had been so strict that no
loss was discoverable. but in certain
others the deficit was great. Com
plants were loud, and the camp COM
mander stung possibly by comments
from the city, had urged his officers TO
unusual effort, and had promised pun
ishment to the extent of the law on tbe
guilty parties whenever or wherever
found.
Even as he was exchanging a word
with the brigader, Armstrong heard
the exclamation: by Jove-~they'ye
caught another" for with grim smile
Of qualification the camp commander
had read and turned over TO his nd i'm |
tant general a brief dispatch lust hand |
ed nm by mounted orderly who had !
galloped fast.
"One of your irreproachables, Arm |
strong said one of the staff. with
something half snccr, half taunt. as he |
100 read and then passed the paper to |
the Judge advocate of the division.
Armstrong turned with his usual de- ,
Liberation. There was ever about him |
quiet dignity Of manner that was the |
deIlght OF his friends and despair of his |
foes.
What is his name ?" he calmly asked.
That young fellow at Canker's head |
quarters you took so much interest in |
"A day or so ago." was the reply.
THAT does not give his name-nor
identity him as one of my men," said
Armstrong. coolly.
"oh' well, l didn't say he belonged to
your command" was the staff officers
response, "Hou devoted a good deal
OF time to him, that's all, Possibly you
suspected him"
IF you mean the young soldier in
Gordon's office, -teenth infantry. |
would be slow to suspect him of any
crime said Armstrong, with some
thing almost like drawl, so slow and
deliberate was his manner, and now the
steel gray eyes and the fair, clear-cut
face were turned straight upon the
swapping black eyes and dark features
OF the other. There was ma I,yo Loo. |