The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-12
iSht, 1901, BY Charles King

TSkuldTs ana nauOnai NoluHtcSIs MNiS
gone or going to Manila. Only in small
bodies and rather as banditti or guerril-
las were the enemy encountered. The
lightning dashes OF the cavalry north and
south In Luzon and the tireless scouts
and marches OF the infantry had scat
tered the insurgents in every direction.
The war had dwindled to campaign of
attachments. "like old Arizona days" as
the troopers put 1t, and, full OF honors
and the consciousness OF duty faithfully
done, with thinned ranks and in many In
stances thin, gaunt faces, the Soldiery OF
the wide west was halling back across
the seas and being welcomed with tu-
multuous acclaim at San Francisco. The
Columbias mourned the loss Of many a
gallant lad left buried In the Philippines
but parted without perceptible emotion
with their original lieutenant colonel Ma
than resigned the silver leaves long
months before they fought their last fight.
preferring brief garrison duty with his
battery. So many colonels and majors
seemed TO get picked off by the rebel RI
fies that IL became positively unsafe to
take the field, said saturnine stan OF
ficer OF the commanding general. and
that might have influenced Nathans ac-
ton. But promotions I'M the artillery arm
speedily gave him under the law the
grade OF major. and II was better TO be
live major OF regulars at a comfortable
station In the United states than lieu
tenant colonel OF volunteers in the mud
and rain and discomfort of Luzon. The
volunteers were coming back with every
transport and being camped on the reser-
walton pending their muster out. The
Columbias arrived, and Nathan arrang-
ed q big dinner for the officers and rode
about among the men, who somehow
couldn't seem to see him. ana many
wouldn't even salute.
Only a meager dozen OF the junior Of
ficers attended that feast. IL nattened
dolefully despite the lavish flow or wine.
Every field officer regretted" and GER
tain OF the captains possibly unschooied
IN tho ways OF society never even ac-
knowledged the courtesy Major Train,
who had been promoted lieutenant coll
cnel on Nathans resignation, would not
even notice him. The colonels greeting
was grave and distant. Some OF the men
laughed aloud when Nathan rode over
20 camp. and the situation was the taik
Of the great assemblage of returning VOL
unteers when I'm came the transport WIN
the warworn Washoes. Eric Langaoh a.
their head, unanimously greeted by the
throng the day they disembarked. And
Nathan asked for leave OF absence. In
civilian drexs and accompanied by MS
wife and single servant, ne drove 10
the ferry unnoticed of the cheering
crowds that rent the air with SHOUTS TOT
Langdon and his devoted men,
II took full fortnight TO complete the
examinations and all the preliminary pa
pers before the final muster out or the
brave band OF brothers they had become.
There were returning regiments In whose
there lived the rankings OF
discord and jealousy but the Washoes
had but one creed and no recriminauons.
They believed In God they loved their
country. and they swore by Eric Lang
DON
The governor and his staff came by
special train from the northeast 10 meet
them on Their return. and Cressweil. 100.
was there. and both their senator's and
many men with the bees Of possible ofnces
buzzing in their bonnets. and all or these
had much TO say In public and in all
their many speeches TO the listening war
riors in praise OF their hero.c colonel. the
one thing sure TO evoke tumultnous ap-
plause, and much To say I'm private TO tnat
silent soldier himself. The burden or
their united song was source OF Keen
and whimsical delight TO Langdon and TO
Melville, who, with his household. was
waiting orders OF the war department AT
the Colonial. 1t would be so very much
better for Langdon, said these states
men. TO accept the high commission they
proposed obtaining for HIM in the regular
service than to think OF entering political
life. which they could truthfully assure
him was so sadly uncertain and fun or
disappointments.
Langdon listened with the same QUIZ
xlcsi smile, but said very little. He knew
persectly well that all Weshoe couldn't
change the laws and that nothing short
of a special act OF congress, could place
him In the army with any rank he cared
10 accept He had been rendered the coll
onency OF one OF the new regiments, but
the surgeons shook their heads. s.Cresswell
clamored for his return 10 the ONCE. The
Washoe Zephyr. that was at odds with
the governor, swung ort It's banner TO the
breeze with For Governor. General Eric
Iangdon, the Hero OF Manila" irrespec-
tive of the fact that there had been a
hundred or more equally heroic and as
little versed in politics. was done for
deyilment." as the governors henchmen
took pains to assure Langdon, but most
people throughout the state and the regi-
ment to a man took II seriously and ma
chine statesmen far and near were soreiy
warried. There Is nothing so sure 10 sur
things the wrong way for all parties and
principally for himself as the injection or
the martial hero Into politics. Languvn
was for announcing IN so many worus
that he would never permit the use OF ms
name, but Cresweli. the veteran OF a
dozen campaigns, bound him 10 silence.
Think what you please. do what you
please when the time comes, but mean
willie keep your own counsel. No matter
if you don I want the governorship or any
evil office. let em think you 40. AZ =
the surest way to get wnat you DO want"
1he whole state delegation In congress.
the governor and his hackers were clam
oring by wire for Langdon's immed le
promotion TO the grade OF brigadier grn-
tral. That would Insure his going back
70 the Philippines and beng tar Out of the
field when nominations were In order.
But Washoe h too many hundreds OF
mi.es from Washington for them 10 Inn
perfume IL person. and letters and teic-
grams are far easier to answer than per-
sonaI pleas and influence" said Mel
Vile. ''ie .nversely az tho square OF the
distance" The brevet OF the silver star
was wires without much objection at the
war office, and the MsshOes r0ared wan
10Y over the news that for consplcuo as
bravery IN half dozen aciions. including
Beiigabanbang, where he was severely
wounded. their colonel was breyctteo a
general.
II was relief at night TO get away from,
the thronging camp and the importunitios
of statecraft and N find refuge at Mel
vilie'f quiet. cosy suit OF rooms at the