The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-12-25

Co the coloneis quarters. He was rosy checked boy of eighteen. with naxen hair, cut close. and blue eyes, in which was a defiant look.
 "Are you aware. my mar" ," asked the colonel, that you have committed an net Of mutinyY
 "Yes. colonel"
 And that mutlny is an offense pun lshable with deathl'
 No answer.
 Corporal. what was Private Stokes fled up forr'
 Eighth. sir"
 "whom did he fightT
 "Private Clarkson."
 "what-this bOyP
 "Yes, sir"
 "He deserved to be tied up. What d.d you cut hlm down for. Private ClarksOnT
 "He wasn't fightin' me. was flghtin' him. hit him on the head with a Ecabbard."
 "How long have you been in the serylccT'
 "I enlisted last week"
 "H'm-a recruit. You haven't had much time to learn discipline, but if you have no more Idea Of it than to interfere with a man under punish ment you're not likely to make much of a soldier. Considering you're green I'll let you oG this time, but l warn you that 1T ever you mutiny again while under my command m have you shot"
 The corporal marched the two guards away. and Private Stokes turned and walked across the parade ground. The colonel watched him and saw him draw bis sleeve across his eyes.
 "Not much more than kid" nut tered the stern commander. "These Innocent boys, Ignorant of army discl- pllne. are harder to break In than jail birds. They don't know what they are doing"
 Half an hour later as the colonel was leaving hss headquarters be met the corporal of the guard at the door.
 "wcu. what Is it. cOrporalt' be asked tneaslly.
 Private Stokes has been cut down again. sir"
 "Whntg
 "Cut down again"
 'whO did lt this timer
 Private Clarkson, sir"
 The colonel was nonplused. How to handle such a case seemed to him an lnsoluble problem. He thought the matter over while the corporal was standing like a grayen Image and de termlned to give this beardless boy who was defying him a scare that would teach him the nature Cf army discipline.
 "Corporal." said the colonel, tell the sergeant Of the guard Co bring Private Clarkson here with eight men.'
 When Clarkson and the men arrived, the colonel ordered the sergeant to have the muskets loaded with blank cartridges without Clarkson's knowl' edge. This was done. the men were drawn up in line. and the colonel him. self took Clarkson, placing him thirty paces from and in front of the dring party.
 Now, my man." said the officer, 'T'm going to show you what it means to defy my authority. I'm going to have you shot"
 Private Clarkson turned pale, but said nothing. The colonel spent some time adjusting hlm before the line of soldiers ln order to give him time to collapse. Clarkson stood silent with sullen pout on bis lips.
 "ReadyF' said the colonel. C'By Sove' he's the biggest fool l ever knew. ] believe I'u have to pretend to shoot him.) AlmF'
 Clarkson not only failed to wilt, but cast a scornful look at the colonel This was more than the commander had bargained for.
 "Are you aware" be said to the pris. oner, "that when I give the next order you will be a dead manY
 There was a twltchlng of the mus. cles of the prIyate's face, but be said nothing.
 "If let you or once more, do you think you will have sense enough not to cut Private Stokes down agalnT"
 "Nog
 The colonel stood grim for a moment, then gave the order:
 "Fireg'
 Eight muskets exploded. Clarkson fell.
 The colonel, frightened lest some Of the pieces had been loaded by mistake or the prisoner had died of shock. rushed to hlm. raised him. famed hlm with bis hat and tore open his coat at the neck that he might breathe more freely.
 Great heavensl It's a woman!"
 Clarkson opened her eyes, saw the colonel bending over her in terror and laughed
 'who are your exclaimed the colo uel.
 Private Stokes wife"
 The colonel gave a low whistle, then went to bis quarters and countermand. cd an order excluding soldiers wives from the post. It was plain to him that