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

Wen, Murphy, SAID the lieutenant
acknowledging lazily the touch of tn,
finger at the hat brim, "how are thu
horses?'
"The farrier made n bad job of shoe
ing the crack hoofed nag of Captain
Agnew's, sorr. Sure told him it wa
wasting time to monkey with it."
"For heavens sake, Murphy, can yol
see out of those eyes,"
"Yes, SORT" replied Murphy, wipins
the persplration off his stiff upper liz
with the back of his hand. ''The gray
is all right again. sorr, but one of the
new horses-the one with the bald spo
lis going to throw sphlint, l m afraid
sorr."
Murphy had dismissed the subject Ol
the eyes politely, but firmly.
"Pll come over and look at him this
afternoon. Didn't have much lucl
with that last bunch, did we"
mo, sorr; we did not"
as there anything else. Murphy"
''No, sorr"
That's ALL"
Then Murphy, with shoulders erect
but to all appearance as blind as q bat
strobe off on his little bow legs dowr
the board walk toward the stables.
The lieutenant picked up his paper
saw that his sister had just given q
big party on board of her husbands
yacht and read over the names of the
winners at the Rockaway races Then
he heard footsteps and. looking up, So W
that colonel's orderly was standing
where Murphy had stood but few
minutes before.
What is 1t, my man?" asked the
lieutenant
Colonel would like to see you, sir"
the orderly replied. 'at your conven.
ience, sir"
IN be over right away"
He stepped into his hot, stuffy little
room, hid the newspaper under the pill
low of his cot, hooked up his jacket
and hooked on his sword and started
for the colonel's quarters
The colonel sat at his desk putting
away at n great cigar. He would blow
down the smoke on the table and ii
would roll off the edges, scarcely rising
In the still, heated atmosphere. The
room was filled with tlmy, blue
strata. The colonel was a little man,
with a face like an American eagle,
with a heavy gray mustache He
smoked u deal too much. He had a
liver and was cogniZant of It. He also
had voice that was entirely misflt,
so far as the coloners appearance went,
for it was deep and sonorous, and at
the same time sharp and clear. No one
ever mistook the coloners orders be-
cause he could not hear them.
Dress parade and inspection this
afternoon, Mr.. Carter" said the colonel.
"Yes. sir: I saw the orders this morn
Ing"
Much cooler today"
"Think so, sir?'
Carter wondered If the hard, dry
flesh on the colonePs bones ever felt
any changes In the thermometer at all.
"Have a chair, Mr. Carter" went on
the colonel, looking up and this time
blowing mathematically correct smoke
rings toward the ceiling. "How are
the new horsesT'
'Only a middling lot sir; might be
better"
"Humphw said the colonel. ''rhat's
in your department"
"Yes, SIR"
Il didn't say 1t was your fault. But
see what you can make of them
''Did you wish to see me On some
thing particular" asked the lieutenant.
'Oh, yes; bandmaster reports that
one of his nags turned very lame this
morning. l want you to send up good,
quiet horse in time for dress parade.
Have you got one that can stand mu-
sicT'
Eyes, sir; l think so. What instru-
ment. sir?'
BASS drum, l believe"
Every good, sir. l will have mount
for him."
That's ALL"
Thanks. sir" The lieutenant hur-
ried out.
The post prided itself very highly on
its mounted band. It was considered
by all means the best In the service.
The bandmaster was German of some
musical education, and he had sur
rounded himself with company of
good performers. the majority of them
Of the same nationality as himself.
Colonel Shepard used to brag good
deal about the band.
Lieutenant Carter smiled to himself
as he crossed the parade ground on his
way to the stables q half hour later.
He was thinking Of Murphy's appear
ance. The bass drummer had the rep
utation ofbeing something of fighter.
He was not exactly popular in the regi-
ment. and the mental picture of little
Murphy engaged In single combat with
him caused the lleutenanes smile. AS
he came out Of the stables he was met
by Murphy himself at the door of the
big corral. The little Irishman was a
.favorite among the officers because he
was polite, eager and willing. and be
could ride anything that had hide and
boots. There he was standing at atten-
tion with about as much expression on
his battered. swollen countenance as
one finds on a bronze image of Buddha.
Murphy" said Lieutenant Carter.
lifting one foot to the lower rail of the
corral fence, ~ want your advice"
''Yes, sorr."
Haven't we got good, quiet horse
that will stand musIc?' the lieutenant
asked.
Sure they all have to learn, sorr"
"Well, the colonel has asked me to