Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-17


Carter wondered If the hard, dry flesh on
| the coloners bones ever felt any change
| in the thermometer at all. Apparently he
| only perspred when he was angry, and
| was only cold in the presence of the major s
wife. who had once offended his dignity.
Have a chair, Mr.. Carter went on the
| colonel, looking up, and this time blowing
| mathematically correct smoke rings toward
| the ceiling. How are the new horses?'
Only a middling lot, sir; might be bet
ter"
"Humphw said the colonel. That's in
| your department"
Yes, SIR
Il didn't say it was your fault. But see
what you can make of them"
Did you wish to see me on something
particular?' asked the lieutenant, almost
suffocating in the Eeat of the room.
"Oh, yes; bandmaster reports that one
of his nags turned very lame this morning.
| want you to send up good, quiet horse
in time for dress parade. HAZE you got
one that can stand music@"
Yes, sir; l think SO. What instrument,
sir?"
Bass drum, 1 believe"
Very good, sir; will have mount for
him."
That's all"
Thanks, SIR" The lieutenant hurried out
The post prided itself very highly on its
| mounted band. 1t was considered by all
means the best in the service. The band
| master was German of some musical edu-
| cation; and he had surrounded himself with
| company of good performers, the ma
! jority of them of the same nationality as
himself. Col. Shepard used to brag a good
| deal about the band.
Lieut.. Carter smiled to himself as he
| crossed the parade ground on his way to
| the stables half hour later; he was
| thinking of Murphy's appearance. The bass
| drummer had the reputation of being some
| thing of fighter. He was not exactly
popular in the regiment, and the mental
picture of little Murphy engaged in single
| yHrith he
| smile. AS he came out of the stables he
| was met by Murphy himself at the DOOR of
| the big corral. The little Irishman was a
| favorite among the officers because he was
| polite, eager and willing, and he could ride
| anything that had hide and hoofs. There
/; he was standing at attention with about
as much expression on his battered, swol-
| len countenance as finds on a bronze
| image of Buddah.
Murphy" said Lieut. Carter, lifting one
| foot to the lower rail of the corral fence,
| II want your advice
| Yes, sorr."
! Haven't we got good, quiet horse
that will stand muster" the lieutenant
| asked.
Sure, they all have to learn, SIR"
| well, the colonel has asked me to nick
out a sober, quiet mount for one of the
band men. Let's see, think 1t is the bass
| drummer - II
1.-The bass drummer, sorr?" Murphy
eyes opened the merest fraction of an
| inch.
"Yes: can't You recommend a good ami
NAL for him to, ride at this evenings dress
| parade? q
Lieut.. Carter looked full into Murphys
| face and slowly winked, not once, but
| three times-it might have been the sun
| light.
II have just the horse. sorr."
| (which one?"
well, he has no name yet that Won
could use in polite society,"" Murphy re-
turned, though he has been called a great
many to be sure"
rs he well up to weight?" the lieutenant
| asked.
He will carry anything, SIR" replied
| Murphy without culver, adding to him.
| self, "Begad, that can stay on his back"
| well, take him over to the bandma ster
| this afternoon and explain what he is for"
| Very good, sorr."
| Lieut.. Carter went back to his quarters.
unearthed the newspaper, strolled out on
| the veranda and read on for an hour Now
| he chuukled to himself All at once the
bugle rang clear and high, and some move
| ment was detected in the direction of the
| barracks. officers strol1ed out buckling on
| their sidearms. and some ladies with para
| soils and bright chintz dresses left the
| houses and strolled over in the direction of
| the colcners quarters at the head of the
parade ground, where in the evening the
| coloneTs pretty wife poured tea
| The bugle blew again and with a clank-
| ing of aecouterments and the dust raising
| of hoofs, the troopers trotted out. It had
| grown little cooler and the shadows had
| heightened. but it was hot enough to make
men grumble, and ,grumble they did, as q