Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-09-06
The Comm an der.

The Commander.
"I speak to be captain" cried Luke
Edwards. just as soon as he put his
head round the corner of the barn
where the other boys We're already
assembled.
'Well, you won't be- retorted Tom
my Green, Indignantly. "Twa'nt fair
coming OH us that way. You're al
ways doing things when we amt
ready, to get ahead. You didn't think
of the company. Willie Jackson spoke
of it first and asked us to meet here,
and this is his barn, and we're to
train on his land. and Of course he
ought to have the first chance"
''Then he ought to have spoke first
Knocked Luke. He didn't, so I'm
captain
But you don't know so much bout
training" eXpostulated Tommy, al
though less vehemently. "Will es
brothers soldier, and he under
stands things, and-and is interested
"Well, l guess 1 can walk on ahead
and give orders and wave my sword,
can't To- demanded Luke, aggressive
ly. ''That's what Il captains for. And
then I'm the biggest and l spoke
first"
"Oh. let him be captain if he wants
to-" interposed Willie, gene orsly.
whats the Odds
'But he can't do as well rs you"
"He can learn smiled Willie.
"That's what I'm trying to do. If
find out anything he don't know l can
show him.
So, in spite of general feeling OF
discomfort, Luke became captain, and
walked on ahead and waved his
sword, and called out sharp and, con-
Trajectory commands which the II
boys tried to follow, because Willie as
sured them that soldiers first duty
was to obey But as to accepting
Willies advice, that was something
that Luke would not dot was a re-
Election on his dignity as captain to
receive advice from the ranks. And
more than that. he ins sted in putting
his brother as lieutenant and his two
cousins second lieutenant and ser
Eedll. anu W hCtp lit PSoNS' w iAia~
persuaded his companions to accept
the situation.
Thus it went on until along in Ooto-
Der, when the town was tn own into
sudden excitement by the unexpected
arrival of an old res. dent who had
gone away. and in 20 years had risen
to be famous general. or course
there was IA hurriedly arranged parade.
in which the prominent men and the
band and the school children took
part, and In which-to their con ter
nation and delight-the Invincible'
were asked to join. They We're ut the
very end of the parade, and when they
came opposite the piazza of the Little
hotel. the spectators We're astonished
to see the general suddenly leave his
chair and approach them.
VERY good, very good indeed. lie
commended. 1T makes me think of
little company that ! commanded on
this very street some 40 years ago.
But l have u proposition TO make,
boys. that | hope you'll agree TO-
"We willw they cried In chorus.
"Wait till | get through" genially.
"There are some defects In your MI
neuverng which noticed and wouic
like to remedy. II you will let me re
organize the company. ! will give you
full ovtft or caps and belts ana
wooden guns, and swords for the OIL
GERS. Do you agreet
"Yes, yes. yes" cried the boys.
"Good. Now 90 through all your
movements carefully. ! want to study
each man"
At the end of 80 minutes he held M
his hand.
THAT will do" he called. "rh' by
with the brown cap will step from the
line. lie will be your captain"
The boy with the brown cap was
Willie Jackson.
Now that hoy In the baseball suit.
and the other one with the red tie,
and the one that carries broom
handle. They viii be your first and
second lieutenant and serg ant
The hoy in the baseball suit was
Tommy Green. the others We're two
who had closely followed Wiilie's al
vice TO obey orders Luke Edwards
stared at the general incrednlousiy
.But what'n bef' he demanded.
"Oh. YOU viii have To go back INT"
the ranks my boy" the general smied.
"It will be for your own good. Ma
one can command nntil n learns
how youths Companion.