The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-06-12

The boys threw considerably more snap
into their work. but failed 10 make any
fires that could be called even good. 4
private also dropped his hat from his
head for the man behiid to walk upon.
The lines maintained by the company.
too. were generally unsteady. But the
lads kept magnificent cadence all
through their drill. and distinguished
their work by placing good deal of
life in it. When it left the field tie
spectators were disposed to regard Com
pany AS work as an Improvement Ger
that of B. Even the fans of the rival
schools were highly grntitied with the
showing.
"Tech" Company Cheered.
Considerable cheering was again
brought forth when Company D..
of Tech came upon the fell
The boys did their work con-
scientiously, and in a coolheaded and
careful manner The drill they put mp.
however. was disposed to be moody. Al
times 1t was more than ordinarily good.
and at other intervals IT was but fair.
The boys did not carry 1ut their ma
neuvers with ary.too much snap, and al
they did straighten out their lines and
brace up there was no company on the
field either day that did q particle let
ter.
1t remained for Company =, CaptJi1
Tompkins in command 10 completely
captivate the spectators. The drIl! tie
cadets put up in the ,iren"hirs rain
was excellent. Although the field was q
vast sheet of ankle-deep siiopc-y muG,
the boys managed to get over 1t SPLEEN
didly, and maintain a perfect cadence
from start to finish. Constantly the Ca
dets' feet would slip from un6e,' them.
and tumble into the mire seemed inev-
table. But invariably they drew them
selves up with dignity and continued
their maneuvers despite the handicap.
Before they had half completed their
drill every man In the company was
dripping wet. Yet they persevered and
succeeded in putting up one OF the best
drills OF the day. All during their ex-
ercises the rooters kept up such a deaf
ening roar that many times the men
were unable to hear the orders given by
the captain.
At the conclusion OF Company C's
drill the judges retired from the ex-
panse of watered real estate and sought
dry quarters In which to consider their
decision
A few minutes later the entire regi-
ment, the First Battalion In the lead,
marched upon the field. headed by the
National Guard Band. Instead of form
ing in one dress line across the dia-
mOnd, the companies separated into
their respective battalions and lined
up in the center of the field. The First
Battalion was on the right and the
-
but one company wide in each bat
talon, the companies forming behind
each other.
Presently the judges returned, ac-
companicd by Commissioner Mcfarland.
DR.. Lane. Captain Nailcr. and Superin-
tendent Stuart. After a brief exchange
Of salutes, Regimental Adjutant Bryan
was given instructions to bring the cap
tain OF the winning company to the
front. In a moment he had started at
brisk pace toward the center of the
space between the battalions.
Bedlam Broke Loose.
Instantly bedlam broke loose Men and
women, boys and girls, sprang upon the
seats and fairly rent the air with their
frenzied bowls. The supreme test of
the school year was swiftly approaching.
What course would the adjutant follow?
To which side would he turn when he
reached his goal? Before what COM
pany would he pause? Upon the answer
to those questions depended the victory
OF one company and the doom of seven
others. 1t would decide where the great
est honor that can befall a high school
boy was to rest.
Gradually that deafening roar grew
louder. Swiftly the adjutant continued
on his way. Still that great volume of
sound swelled into tremendous roar
and rose skyward. Suddenly the cheer
ing ceased as il by magic. In Its place
deathlike stiffness reigned. Where all
had been confusion but a moment be-
fore now reigned utter calm and speech
lessness: the adjutant had reached the
center of the space that separated the
two battaiions. He paused and stood
motionless as statue. The eager.
drawn faces OF the spectators spoke all
too plainly OF the terrible strain upon
their nerves.
Which way would the man turn:
To the right meant victory for either
Business. Eastern. or Western. To the
left meant victory for Central or
Tech" Which would 1t be? The Ques-
tion seemed to hover In the very atmos-
phere. Still that deathlike silence
reigned supreme.
Turned Sharply to Company F.
Suddenly the adjutant swayed-ever so
slightly-causing a deep sigh to escape
from the anxious multitude. The eli
max had come.
A moment later he turned sharply and
advanced to Company F, of the Eastern.
Instantly grandstand, bleachers-ev-
erything, emitted an ear-splitting yell
that could have been heard blocks away.
Bedlam once more broke loose. as the
eagle of victory settled upon the ban
rers of the Eastern students. Central.
Business, Western and Tech" had lost,
but they knew how to take defeat man
fully Every person in that vast assem-
blage howled as though his or her life
depended upon 1t.
For half an hour after the companies
had left the field the roar continued.
Finally the last of the spectators stray
gled away. and the greatest competitive
drill ever held in the Capital of the
Nation was brought to close.
Wife Denies Assault.
The arrest OF Policeman Noble A.
Beans. Tuesday afternoon. on the charge
that he had assaulted his wife at their
home. 211 Fourth Street southeast. re-
suited In the discharge of Beans with