Waterbury Democrat., 1901-06-07

{ bad form, as they owned, to show to civilians contempt for a brother officer, no matter how much they might feel it.
 These episodes growing out of Lang don's departure were the talk of the club and indeed of every household on the post the rest of the week. The in- speetor general could not help hearing them, but said not a word. The colo nel commanding was sorely perturb- cd man. He felt that if he did not punish somebody-do something to vim licate the good order and discipline of his command-there would be rap from department headquarters, possi- bly from Washington, and this was more than a candidate for the star of a general officer could contemplate with equanimity. He excused himself the moment dessert was over at Nathan's dinner party that evening and, though it was after tattoo, began an investiga- ton of the affair. A dozen of the bat terymen and all the junior officers present at the station were summoned to the adiutant's office, and in five min utes he had the facts. There was not the faintest attempt to equivocate or dissemble Lieutenants May, Wood row, Sparrowe and Le Due said they | heard the call for three cheers, and May said that, though he didn't shout, he swung his cap and had all the ap- pearance of it. He disclaiIned any dis respect for the court, the reviewing authority, the president or the post commander. Mir. Langdon was his best friend. He was sorely distressed at his dismissal, and he did come with in an ace of cheering, only he knew Langdon himself would have disap-s proved. The colonel used some rasp- 1 ing language, in the course of which as a cavalryman he reflected on the sense of subordination and discipline that did not appear to prevail in the batteries, tn -feby antagonizing every gunner at the post, and then, dismiss ing the officers with no little asperity in his reprimand, he summoned Ser geant Rancey, an Irish idol in Battery | D, and whirled on him with the stern query, sIs it true you called for three cheers for Lieutenant Langdon, the best officer in Battery DY"
 ."True as shootin, sorr," was the prompt reply.
 "Go to your quarters in close arrest, sir" said the colonel, and without the quiYer of muscle of his sun tanned face the Irishman spun on his heel and stalked out. Then Sergeant Blossom, down east Yankee, was summoned in.
 "Did you join in the cheers for Lieu | n cIyo1 bo loo1ono1
 .Yes, sir" was the emphatic answer.
 Didn't you know that was tanta- mount to mutiny?" ?"
 'sNo, sir. There was no such thought or intention. We meant to show our sympathy for beloved officer and an unfortunate man; that was all"
 The colonel wheeled impatiently in his chair. He loved the old style sol dier, who knew nothing beyond the will of his superior officer. These mod ern evolutions of soldiers in the ranks, men of education who read and | thought for themselves and spoke bet ter English than some of the officers, were thorns in his flesh. He did not know just how to take Blossom, much less what to do with. him, but comprp- missed by bidding him stand aside until 1 he had questioned the others. One after another.a a dozen came in, prompt- l ly acknowledged that they had cheered the departing officer, disclaimed all l imputation of disrespect and inferen- tially any expression of regret. Every mothers son of them seemed to wish to be understood as maintaining that he had perfect right to cheer. and if he hadn't he was ready to take his punishment. "Confound it." said the colonel to his silent adjutant, 'if slap lem in arrest Nathan won't have a sergeant for duty. The whole bat tery seems to have been in it. Tell them to go to their quarters go to grass-go to Ballyhaek-but there must be no more cheering. won't have it. :" .aThere won't be-" said his staff off cer dryly, 'tnow that Langdon's gone" He, too, had loved the fellow and was sore hearted over his downfall. There's nobody else they'll be apt to cheer for unless it's Melville"
 The colonel turned suddenly and glared, but the adjutant's face was placid and unconcerned as he quietly stepped to the outer room and in low tone bade the assembled throng dis perse. Then in silence he rejoined his chief.
 You're always quoting Major Mel ville," said the latter petulantly. .Is there no one in your own corps worth considering!"
 Plenty" answered the adjutant, ''yet none just like Melville. There's the man to straighten out this matter, colonel, if you really want it done"
 'I can straighten out post matters without having to call on an-an-an outsider" answered the colonel haugh- tiIy, for he had the same conception of his corps that the Chinese had of Chi na-eyerybody not of it was an outside barbarian. Moreover, he was distinctly jealous of Melville, and it kept crop ping out in the most absurd and palpa- ole way. Early in the spring. when or dered to tile command of this important station, the department commander had said to him: We have applied for Melville to command your artillery. He'll be tower of strength to you and relieve you of all responsibility in the managpmpnt of the batteries :" And