Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-06-12
One thing Nathan hated Lanedon for


and the lieutenant took command. Reg
mental critics twitted Nathan with the
fact, and 1t made him furious. If any
thing could have helped Langdon, it
would have been service under some
other commander. There were three
other captains who would have been
glad Of his services, but Nathan refus-
ed to allow the exchange. Time and
again there were sharp disagreements
between them, and thrice when Lang
don had to appeal the decision went in
his favor.
By this time the battery had been
made part Of the great western gar
rison on the Pawnee, where two squad
rons Of cavalry and four Eight" or
mounted batteries formed the main
features Of the command. A veteran
dragon officer was ut the head Of af-
fairs, a man with much conscience and
little sympathy and the way he sail
ed in," as the boys said, to polish up
the entire military establishment was a
caution. The Nathans gave sumptu-
GUS dinner in his honor about the first
thing, and the colonel pitched into Ma
than within 4S hours all along Of the
condition Of his horses, to the intense
JOY Of the unlimited, because this was
the last thing that dinner was suppos-
ed to bring about. Nathan accepted
the criticism and said he could not help
himself, his lieutenants were SO care
less. 1t was at this time that renewed
complaints came to headquarters con-
corning the nonpayment of those notes.
Poor Langdon was setting aside por-
tion of his mortgaged stipend and send
ing 1t each month to preferred" cred
itors. but the others kept up the growl,
and 1t must be admitted that along
about this stage of the game in his
grief and despond Langdon had sought
solace ut times In whisky. All this
Nathan reported to his chief when ask
ed about the financial status of his sub
altern. Had old "Cat O Nine Tails"
the post commander, consulted the vet
eran major, who had but recently ar
rived and assumed command Of the
batteries, he would have heard DIFF
ferent tale, for Melville knew soldier
and gentleman when he saw one, and
his sorrow for Langdon was expressed
in something deeper than words. He
made him come to his quarters and
spend an evening or two. His wife,
his children and very interesting
mccall seemed to take hand in
Langdon's entertainment, but 1t lasted
only a week or SO, for matters were
Fastening to climax. The colonel
had sent for the young officer, roughly
told him that the army was no place
for men as deeply involved as he, went
on about neglected duties," frequent
lapses over liquor. all of which was
grievous exaggeration, yet honestly be-
lieyed by him to be true, and poor
Langdon came away stung, stunned
and hopeless.
Tint night, very late, long after ev-
cry one but the guard had retired, a
fire broke out near the haystacks, and
while the men were at work with buck
ct and hose and the entire command
was on duty 1t was observed by more
than one officer that Langdon was per-
ceptibly under the influence of liquor.
Sitting up all alone and brooding over
his troubles, he had probably taken to
the bottle.
Three nights later came clash.
Mclyille's pretty niece, wholesome,
pure minded girl, was devoted to. rid
ing. Melville asked Langdon to take
her out, and Captain Nathan, Mr.. Tor
rance and two or three of their set
viewing the performance from afar,
made comments thereon in presence of
young fellows like May, who liked
Langdon more than little, and it all
got to Langdon's ears. He marched
straight to the clubhouse. It was just
before tattoo, and number of officers
We're seated on the veranda chatting,
smoking and slipping cooling drinks.
Torrance had been chief offender, and
him he hailed.
"Mr. Torrance" said Langdon, his
eyes ablaze, his lips very white. you
are reported to have said thus and so
this afternoon"
II did," said Torrance, rising from
his chair. What have you to say
about 1t ."
"Thisr' was the only reply as sting
ing blow sent Torrance crashing over
the table.
The instant action Of officers present
stopped further hostilities. Nathan
sent Langdon to his quarters In arrest
and his company clerk to work.
Charges and specifications ten pages
drawn out were preferred. No plea
was listened to. A court was ordered
In due season, and 1t had no alterna-
tive. On still October evening the
order that day received from Washing
ton was formally read to the command,
and next morning when the depart
ment inspector had them all out for an
early review he. without whom re-
views seemed hardly complete, looked
sadly on from q far corner, o practical
ly ruined man.
But there were friends to go with
him to the station after his brief inter
view with Melville noble hearted Mel
vile that day-May and Woodrow and
others of the boys, besides some scores
Of boys in blue" who had slipped
away and were bent on giving their pet
lieutenant parting cheer, and there
was an incident that became historic.
The railway station was like all far
western stations Of those days, an or
binary brown frame building with pro-
jecting roof overhanging the platform
and broad, open space at the gable
end, and here it was, in the presence of
half dozen officers and quite swarm
of citizens and "boys in blue" off duty,
the memorable rencontre occurred. The
instant Captain Nathan stepped from
his handsome carriage, with the whls-
tie Of the express already sounding far
down the Pawnee, he found himself
confronted by Langdon, whose dark
features took on no flush Of the wrntlr
that consumed him, but whose erect
and slender form, patent in its athletic
proportions even through the simple
civilian suit he wore, quivered from
head to foot. It was vain for Nathan
to dodge. The words came like the
sting Of a whiplash:
''You are no longer my superior Off
Ger, Nathan. and there's only moment
IN nav INV sav vour Ionruoro ~ Az