Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1900-08-02

Diapers assistant, with nothing in
common with the military but the
handling of red cloth He was s
dreamer by nature, and falling in
love did not lessen his weakness in
this direction. Dreaming is par
donable in poet, but an unpar-
donable crime in linen Diapers
assistant, and as he stood at his
counter his mind was far away from
his work. Instead Of listening to
the 'fForward r ofthe shop walker
he could only hear the short flung
word Of command and the bugles
that sounded through his dreams !;
wherefore it was not long before be
came into conflict with his practi-
cal chief. A few sharp words pass
ed. lie threw up in three seconds
position it had taken six years OF
hard, unrelA'tting labor to attain.
Then he enlisted.
He gained his title on bis first
display in the riding school, where
after a short ride on the riding
masters pet buck jumper, he turn
cd deadly pale and cried aloud that
he might DO allowed to disuount.
The horse at once gratifed his
desire by throwing him on the tan.
where he lay trembling in every
limb, much to the diversion OF o
couple OF rough riders who we're
standing by. They we're quick to
inform their respective squadrons,
and, his former occupation being
known he was promptly christened
White Feather.
In thoso dark days ii was the JOY
OF the more hardy recruits to take
him aside solomnly aud request the
service OF three fsrthing's worth OF
white feathers. Any morse Of down
or Huif that might float into the
barracks was promptly captured
aud presented to him with duo GER
omonies by Trnmpeter Pipes, the
low comedian Of the regiment.
The older men forbore to join in
with these somewhat firing repeti.
tions Of stale joke. They remem-
bered their own experiences in the
riding school and recognized that
White Feather was a quiet and in.
offensive fellow, devoid OF the i'm.
prudence and bad manners peculiar
to recruits and respectful aud help
full to his seniors.
The sergeant instructor, too after
time took q fancy to his timid re-
eruit aud took extra trouble to
teach him how to keep bis heels
out. his hands down and his head
mp.
"Pye made smart cayalrymen out
OF bigger buffers than you" he
used to remark encouragingly as he
flicked White Feathers horse into
canter, and I'll make a rider OF
you, or III break your neck !"
White Feathers neck remained un-
broken, 80 it is TO DO presumed that
the sergeant instructor fulfilled his
word.
Presently he began to lose tho
hang.dog look Of suppressed terror
with which he had been accustomed
to enter the riding school aud to
acquire the easy swaggor Of caval.
ryman. His chest contracted by
long hours at the counter, develop
cd under healthy training. Fresh
air and much exercise helped White
Feathers development, which had
been sadly retarded by the heavy,
gas laden atmosphere in which he
had lived. His nerves acquired
tone, and he learned to take q
tumble now and then as a matter
OF course and to fire his carbine
without shutting his eyes and
blanching at the explosion Of the
cartridge.
elbow me, II he isn't going to
shape into a man at last J" quoth
the sergeant instructor.
Then great blow fell upon him.
He received one morning letter
from the girl to tell him that she
had given him up in favor OF q
shopwalker who had expectations
Of being set up in business by his
father. She admitted that she had
caused him to enter the army for