The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-23
AS THE SOLDIERS PASSED.
By MAUD HOWARD PRESTON.

the physical He lacked one inch in
height
You can't blame that on the Govern
ment," exclaimed the West Pointer
The civilian laughed.
Nor on the man himself, eh?"
They were silent moment, then the
civilian went on:
"Of course. il was all right-there's got
to be rigid line drawn somewhere" He
glanced almost wistfully at the others
uniform. But, you see, the volunteer
examiners are not quite so strict. Now.
don't you really think there may be some
pretty clever fellows in the voluntecrs?'
''Of course, but''-tte young officer hest
tated and laughed-'but they're not West
Pointers
No assented the civilian. they're
not West Pointers-but they're brave
men,
Yes, but sometimes very foolish
ones. Do you suppose there was any such
sickness in the regular camps as that
which made the volunteer ones such
horror? The men had themselves to
blame for a good deal. Take, for in
stance, their fragrant disobedience about
drinking water not boiled, You could go
all over the country before you'd find
| regular disobeying such command
The civilian did not answer. He was
looking down on the last column as it
passed and vanished along the street. He
noticed that many of the faces of the
men were emaciated as though by fever;
that it was not entirely lack OF training
in active service that caused them TO fall
ter in their tread. The West Pointer con-
inued:
"Of course, they all wanted to go to the
! front, and if the war had been longer,
a good many more would have got there;
but the regulars had the first chance.
! Gee. and didn't they make the most OF
it?''
You were in Cuba? You were in ac-
tion?"
The young officer laughed as he look
ed down at a great scar on his hand
which the other had not noticed before.
He neld it out in front OF him and eyed
it admiringly.
Yes he said, land brought this away
There was touch of reverence in the
look the young civilian gave him.
"A good many men," he said, slowly,
would have given half their lives to
have that, You WERE
Ninth United States Infantry. We
were at San JUAN replied the other,
briefly.
The civilian drew in his breath quick
ly.
"Ah, Weren't there some volunteers
there?''
The regular nodded.
Yes; some of them did credit to their
country. Others
"Yes?" eagerly.
ACTED like the DEVIL
Thanks
Something in the civilians voice made
the West Pointer turn quickly.
You are volunteer"
"Oh, no." said the civilian, quietly. And
the officer drew a great sigh of relief.
The crowd below them. that had be-
gun to dispense, suddenly swayed for
ward and began to cheer. Almost on the
heels of the regiment they had been
watching came detachment of cavalry.
at isn't often, even in Washington, one
sees two shows in a day. remarked the
West Pointer, leaning forward Then he
drew back. IT'S some more volunteers
he said. in a slightly bored tone.
IT'S part of the First United States
Volunteer Cavalry cried out the civil
ian. Its part of the First United States
Volunteer Cavalry! Hur-'
The cheer died suddenly in his throat
and the young West Pointer turned. His
eyes, in which had dawned a newer and a
greater patriotism, rested inquiringly on
the young civilian.
you know some one In it?" he asked.
The other met the look.
My brother" he answered
'He-he is not here today?" TIE West
Pointer felt a strange contraction, as IL
his collar hurt.
The young civilian turned his eyes to-
ward the portion of that mounted cayal
cade that was triumphantly riding home
ward, its riddled flag, its broken ranks,
a token of its service to its country.
He held his hat in his hand as the banner
passed.
mo; he fell at San Juan" he said,
simply.