The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-21

campaign. and was shown the post com
mander's order cutting of two pounds OF
grain per diem. He said the gun carriages
looked dingy and was informed OF the
post commanders prohibition or further
use of paint He criticised their neglect
OF gun practice with service ammunition,
and again the post commander had 20
shoulder the blame He dined with that
dignitary, as ne did Melville and Nathan
and two or three cavalrymen that evening.
and the colonel drank much OF his own
champagne and talked incessantly in de-
fence OF his policy, on which point the
inspector and the gunners were diplomati-
cally silent. but within n week or the
formers departure down came a letter
from department headquarters embodying
all his criticisms and directing the post
commander TO take measures TO correct
the matters complained of without delay
They were all OF the post commanders
devising, and, without the ruffling of n
feather or the turning OF a hair as the
boys expressed II, without a word OF
alteration or expostulation. Melville had
won the battle, He met the colonel with
the same grave. imperturbable courtesy
with that utterly unimpeachable respect
OF manner. Even though the post COM
msnder was fuming with wrath and the
consciousness OF defeat Melville allowed
not trace OF exultation to be visible,
not word OF triumph 10 escape him.
lie gently, gravely rebuked one or two
Youngsters who crowded in their delight
and by utter superiority OF his mental
equipolse rasped the irate colonel infinitely
more than II he had given voice 10 the
sense OF Victory The colonel was forced
10 the conclusion that the senior major
OF artillery was a bigger man at depart
ment headquarters than he had ever beon,
and his jealousy redoubled.
t1o a., n atrYa AL 1aA
him TO respect Melville. He couldn't help
"a. officer or man, the soldier did not live
I'm all the service who knew him and did
not honor Pure in speech. refined and
courteous in manner. a gentleman in the
finest sense OF the term. i'm every thought
and word and deed: just. temperate, mer-
ctf,l q model OF fidelity 20 duty and 10
principle. a man 10 whom an oath was
well nigh as intolerable as a lie, he so
ordered his life that friends and COM
rades studied him in vain for fault or
foible, and enemies were unknown,
Among his elder officers were men who
a quarter OF a century before had been
his pupils in the section rooms OF the
old academic" where they well nigh wor-
SHIPPED him. Never" said they. mo mat
ter how exasperatlngly stupid a cadet
might be-never was Melville tempted TO
use an impatient word" ASng the
younger Officers were those who only
few years back wore the gray at the
Point when Melville was their honored
commandsnt. the position OF all others In
the army OF the United States which has
the greatest influence on tho character
and development OF the young soldiers OF
the nation, tho position OF all others most
difficult 20 nl and Melville was tho
idol Of The corps Of cadets. At tho diner
ent stations where ne had served-at
Newport. at Fortress Monroe and at tho
Preside ~ San Frsncisco-ho had left his
impress ever the same. They spoke %
rim as the "Bayard OF the Battery" and
one OF the traditions which his old regi-
msnt gloried In was the mountain cam
paign against a fierce and recalcitrant
tribe I'm which Melvills led his gun into
the fastnesses Of an uneTplored wilder
ness and brought the savages 10 bay hdd
20 ali this that his home life was 80
beautiful az his professional career had
been well nigh nawless and even crotch
ETY., fault finding. Jealous old Cat own
ed himself povsrless 20 penetrate the ar
NOR OF Melville's perfections, and May
and woodrow, lhinalng sadly Of the COM