The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-03-02

hhh Aut VI lttN On ItkOuuuluR
woodwork.
Sergeant" she cried, with quick de-
cision. Take this over TO the officer
in command of that guard. Then bring
a dozen men and move these two tables
across the pier" The cavalryman
glanced at the saucy little woman in
the stunning costume, took in" the
gold crossed sabres, topped by regi-
mental number in brilliants that
pinned her martial collar at the round,
white throat noted the ribbon and
pin and badge of the Red Cross, and
the symbol of the Eighth corps in red
enamel and gold upon the breast of her
! jacket, and above all the ring of ac-
customed authority in her tone, and
never hesitated n second Springing
to the pile of boxes he grasped the pa
per, respectfully raised his cap and
bored his stalwart way across the pier.
In three minutes he was back-half
dozen soldiers at his heels.
"Where'll you have 'em, ma'am--
miss?" he asked, as the men grasped
the supports and raised the nearmost
table.
straight across and well over to the
edge" she answered, in the same crisp
tones of command. Then, with total
and instant change of manner, 81 sup
pose your tables should go first,
Madam President" she smilingly said.
ut shall be as you wish about the
others"
And the Red Cross was vanqushed.
81 declare" said an energetic official,
n moment later, leaning back on her
throne of lemon boxes and tanning her
self vigorously, "for whole hour I've
been trying TO move that officers
heart and convince him the order
didn't apply to us. Now how did-she
do it?"
THE officer must be some old-some
personal friend" hazarded the secre-
tary, with quick feminine compre-
hensive glance at the little lady now
being lifted up to shake hands with
the carriage folk, after being loaded
with compliments and congratulations
by the ladies of the two favored tables.
Not at ALL" was the prompt reply.
''IIe is volunteer officer she never
set eyes on before to-day. l would
like to know what was on that paper"
But now the roar of cheering and the
blare of martial music had reached the
very gateway. The broad portals were
thrown open and in blue and brown,
crushed and squeezed by the attend
ant throng, the head of the column of
infantry came striding on to the pier.
The band, wheeling to one side, stood
at the entrance, playing them in, the
rafters ringing to the stirring strains
OF The Liberty Bell" They were
still far down the long pier, the slop-
ing rifles just visible, dancing over the
heads of the crowd. No time was to
be lost. More tables were to be car
ried, but-who but that-"that little
army woman" could give the order so
that 1t would be obeyed. Not one bit
did the president like to do II. but
something had to be done to obtain
the necessary order, for the soldiers
who SO willingly and promptly obeyed
her beck and call were now edging
away for a look at the newcomers, and
Mrs. Frank Garrison, perched on the
carriage step and chatting most VI
vaciously with its occupants and no
longer concerning herself, apparently, |
about the Red Cross or its tables, had |
the qualification of finding herself APP
preached quite as she had planned, by |
two most prominent and distinguished |
women of San Francisco society, and |
requested to issue instructions as TO
the moving of the other tables. Ger
tainly, ladies'" she responded, with |
charming smiles. Just one minute, |
Mildred. Don't drive farther yet" and .
within that minute half dozen boys .
IN blue were Juggling at the first of
the tables still left on the crowded side |
of the dock, and Others still were bear
ing oil stoves, urns and trays. In less
time than it takes to tell 1t the entire
Red Cross equipage was on its way
across the pier, and when the com
handing officer of the arriving reg
iment reached the spot which he had
planned to occupy with his band, his
statf and all his officers, there in state
and ceremony to receive the citizens
who came in swarms to bid them fare
well, he found it occupied by as many
as eight snowy, goody-laden tables,
presided over by as many as so charm
ing maids and matrons, all ready and
eager to comfort and revive the inner
man of his mighty regiment with cof-
fee and good cheer illimitable, and the
colonel swore a mighty oath and
pounced on his luckless officer of the
guard. He had served as a subaltern
many year in the old army, and knew
how il was done.
Didn't give you personal and posi-.
tive orders not to let anything or any
body occupy this space after the bag.
gage was got aboard, sir?" he de.
manded.
"You did, sir" said the unabashed
pulling folded paper from