Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-03-16

Wen within the second tent, where one
clerk was 4 lighting "A camp lantern,
were perched on rough tables a brace of
field desks with the regimental books
The sergeant maj or, "A veteran of years
of service in the regulars, sat at one OF
them. 4 young soldier, he who had un-
fastened the tent flap to admit Lieut.
Gray, was just returning TO his seat
at the other. Two orderlies lounged on
bench well beyond and back of the
sergeant maior's seat, and a bugler,
with his hands in his pockets, was smok-
ing n briar-root pipe at the opposite
back doorway. Woe to the enlisted men
who sought the presence of the colonel
The sergeant major would drop on him
with the force of a baseball bat.
"Who all are over yonder at the
chiefs? asked the adjutant, as soon
as he had his visitors well inside, and
the soft accent as well as the quaint
phraseology told that in the colonel's
confidential staff officer southerner
spoke.
"All the brigade and most regimental
commanders 'cept ours, should say
and they seem TO be waiting for them.
Can't we send?" was the answer, as the
junior whipped off his campaign hat
and sprinkled the floor with the Wig
orous shakes he gave the battered felt.
Have sent" said his entertainer
briefly, as he filled "A pipe from the open
tobacco box md struck . sarctv r9ic
Orderly gallcQca after him ten r'0.
utes ago. Blow the brigade and bat,
talon commanders! What l asked you
was who are the women up there"
NO, you didn't! You said who all
are up yonder" I'm a sub, and s'posed
you meant men - soldiers - officers
What have I TO do with ANYBODY in net.
ticoats?'
And I'm ori27lcd vet of 1o2or
years duty, crows feet and gray hairs
a-comin'," grinned the adjutant, pull
ing at a long curly mustache and draw
ing himself up To his full height OF SIX
feet, land when you're as old as / am
and half as wise Billy, you'll know that
a pretty girl is worth ten times the
thought our old frumps of generals de-
mand. Ny name amt GoI1ou II l
haven't a mind TO waltz over there
through the mist and the wind just to
tell them I've sent for Squeers. Then
III get a look al The girls
'l've got to 90 back, said Billy, and
30,
don and an interesting family 10 con-
slider. What tentd the ladies go to?
didn't 500 'ern -
Mrs. Gordon, sub, : said the odjutant,
with p1ciG superiority, considers it a
see the ladies. The party was shown
into the generals own domicile.
Couldn't you see how many young fell
lows were posing in picturesque atti-
tuIos IL r~out &c 80 Ave TTor1-'" 10
suddenly shouted TO an officer striding
past the tent in dripping macintosh.
Coin up to division headquarters?
Just t,l the tail 81 the ohicf I'rc sent
an orderly galloping after Squeers.
Hes half way to the Preside now, but
it'll be an hour before they can get
back" The silent officer nodded and
went on, Nhrieo Go.'pu .,a,' Las ming
for T." entrance ard hailed again.
"c. u 80
The answer came bacl; through The
fog.
People from the cast-looking for
runaway. Ola gent, pretty daughter,
and pretty daughters pretty cousin.
Heard the orders"
Damn the orders. They don't touch
.... '...,-. .,.. ..i.. ......
"D'l,yt i..a U'a.l..ac ,.4. IL, say.
Three regiments to sail at once, and"
"Oh I '.nov ~ TINT" shouted Cor
don, impatentlv. "Tt vae oll over camp
on t~vr o~o' W. - .to-. 49,
girls-comc IRON! what's their
name?"
"Wosn't presented " was the sull-v re-
ply. Let a lot OF stufy old women
show up il search Of long lost sous and
tnose IeIIoWs az neauquaTteIs un4oau
them on us in less than no time, out a ,
brace of pretty girls! Why, they
double the gate guards so that no out
c'Gcc coz Sc much G. see TIN. lily,
here, knows 'em. Ask him"
BY thi. time the vonn rster had RANGED |
up alongside the adjutant and was
eniovinc the latest arrivals /
TRADE at the expense OF The heaGquar-
ters' staff, but at his closing words |
Lieut.. Billy's grin Of amusement sud- I
den left his face, giving way 10 a look /
Of b,ar'. aiaazc.
Il know en- haven't been east Of !
the Big Muddy since was a kid"