Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-04-06

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Preside, he shouldered his way through
the crowd and stood, presently, on its
inner edge, an unperturbed 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-aiiCned 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 a
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 10 wait a 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
Of unknown scoundrels enlisted for no
better purpose. In his own regiment
his system had been so strict that no
loss was discoyerable, 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 the
guilty parties whenever or wherever
found.
Even as he was exchanging a word
with the brigadier, Armstrong heard
the exclamation: BY Jove-they've
caught another" for with grim smile
of qualification the camp commander
had read and turned over to his adiu-
tant general a brief dispatch just hand
ed him by mounted orderly who had
galloped fast.
zone of your irreproachables Arm
strong said one of the staff, with
something half succr, half taunt. as he
too 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
a quiet dignity Of manner that was the
delight of his friends and despair of his
foes.
What is his name?" hecalmlv asked.
"Thst young fellow at Cankcr's head
quarters you took SO much interest I'm
a day or so ago" was the reply.
THAT does not give his name-uor
ldentiiy him az one of my men, said
Armstrong, cooIly
Oh well didn say he belonged TO
your command was the star officers
response y on devoted good deal
OF time TO him. that's ALL Possibly you
suspected hlIn'
IF YOU mean the young soldier in
Gordon's Office, -teenth infantry.
would he slow 20 suspect him OF any
crime, said Armstrong, with some
thing almost like a draw, SD 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 10 love lost
there. One could tell without so much
as seeing.
You're of, then! That commissary
sergeant gave him away the very even
Ing you were looking him over-he got
wind OF IL and skipped, and to-day came
back in handouts"
"All Of which may be as you say, and
still not warrant your reference TO him
as one Of my irreproachables," an
swered Armstrong. "and il will take
more tban the evidence Won refer TO
IN make me believe him entity"
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