The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-08-09

The drummer lCds diScntdngling himself.
shrieks and Wild cachinnations that
threatened his very existence. The
tears were rolling from his blackened,
bruised eyes. He would catch his
breath and then burst into roar Of In
coherent noise-simply noise--no words,
just sounds.
The cause Of all this turmoil had
swerved out of the clothes yard back
into full view again. His bucks were
becoming less violent from sheer ex.
haustion. And now the drummer, as IL
to assert himself and release himself
from the disgrace of having lost con.
troll of his mount-a horrible thing to
happen to any eavalryman-ran out.
His fine uniform was ripped up the
back, his helmet was gone, but never
theless he headed straight for the black
horse, and the latter, as IL perceiving
that here was another victim, made
straight for him. The big man made q
stand Of it and reached for the bride,
but the crazy animal turned quickly.
The drum swung around in front Of
him, and how it happened no one knew.
but the lashings that held it broke, and
the first thing the regiment knew the
drummer was disentangling himself
from the broken barrel, much as q
clown would step from a paper ring.
He picked up the debris and limped of
toward his quarters. And now the
colonel, having succeeded in stopping
and disentangling himself from the
clothesline, was shouting orders. Some.
thing like attention was restored, and
the line. visibly shaking, was formed
again.
Sergeant Schneider rode out and
touched his cap to Lieutenant Carter,
who In the absence of his command.
ing officer, was acting captain of his
company.
May one of my men fall out, STRIP
he asked. "A bit of sunstroke, think,
SIR"
Carter gave permission. He turned
round and saw Murphy, too weak hard.
ly to sit on his horse, make his way to-
ward the stables, his feet hanging loose
from his stirrups, and his whole body
wavering back and forth. Another
trooper had hold of the bride.
An orderly galloped down the line.
Lieutenant Carter, the colonel asks
you to report to him at once"
Carter rode up, There was not the
ghost Of a smile on the colonePs hard,
set features.
'Mr. Carter" he asked sternly, ''did
you know that horse was buck jump
ing black devilf"
Il hadn't suspicion, Sir" the lieu.
tenant responded quietly.
Take your post. sir"
"What was the matter with that
man in your company, CarterT asked
the surgeon that evening. Several men
had gathered at the lieutenant's quar-.
ters where their laughter could not be
heard across the parade ground.
II don't know what you might call
It," Garter answered. but, suppose
in learned phrase it might be mention.
ed as paralysis of the risibles."
Colonel wants to see you, sir" said
an orderly at the doorway.
In half an hour Carter had returned.
what did the old man say" Ques.
toned Jack Francis, who had the room
next to Carter's own looking up from
his perusal Of the League baseball
scores.
-Four weeks confinement to post"
was the reply. "A little knowledge Is
dangerous thing"
Down at the barracks Murphy had
told his side of the story.
ut was me that done 1t, though l
held no grudge as'in the colonel" he
said. ''But l am even with the drum.
mer. bedad. Revinge is swate. Mary
Annn niver look at him now"
And she never did. -