West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-01-09
per lip. another at Che corner OF IN Or
and his Jaw was badly swollen.

though unreported. had reached hfs
ears.
"Wel, Murphy" said the lieutenant.
acknowledging laziiy the touch OF thu
finger at the hat brim. 'how arc che
horsesl'
"The farrier made bad job Of SHOE
Ing the crack hoofed nag OF Captnfn
Agnew's. sorr. Sure told him n was
wasting time 60 monkey with H."
"For heavens sake, Murphy, can you
see out OF those eyesT"
"Yes, sorr." replied Murphy, wiplng
the perspratlon or his stiff upper lip
with the back OF his hand "The gray
is all right again. sorr. but one OF the
new horses-the one with the bald spot
lis going to throw a sphlInt. I'm afraid.
sorr.'
Murphy had dismissed the subject OF
the eyes politely. but firmly.
III come over and look at him this
afternoon. Didn't have much luck
with that last bunch. did we?"
mo. sorr; we did not"
us there anything else. Murphyr'
"No, sorr"
That's ALL"
Then Murphy, with shoulders erect,
but TO all appearance as blind as bat,
strobe OF on his little bow legs down
the board walk toward the stables.
The lieutenant picked up his paper,
saw that his sister had Just given
big party on board OF her husbands
yacht and read over the names OF the
winners at the Rockaway races. Then
he heard footsteps and, looking mp. saw
that colonel's orderly was standing
where Murphy had stood but n FEW
minutes before
what is It. my panr' asked tho
lieutenant.
Colonel would like to see you, sir"
the orderly replied. "at your conven-
lence. sir"
TN be over right away"
He stepped into his hot. stuffy little
room. hid the newspaper under the Pill
low of his cot, hooked up his Jacket
and hooked on his sword and started
for'the colonel's quarters
The colonel sat at his desk putting
away Mt great cigar. lie would blow
down the smoke on the table and II
would roll of the edges. scarcely rising
In the stlll, heated atmosphere. The
room was flled with filmy, blue
strata. The colonel was n little man,
with a face like an American eagle.
with heavy gray mustache. He
smoked deal too much. he had a
liver and was cognIzant OF II. He also
had n voice that was entirely n misfit,
so far as the coloners appearance went,
for IL was deep and sonorous, and at
the same time sharp and clear. No one
ever mlstook the colonePs orders be-
cause he could not hear them.
Dress parade and inspection THIS
afternoon, Mr.. Carter" said the colonel.
Eyes. sir; saw the orders this morn
ing"
"Much cooler today"
"Thlnk so. slrT'
Carter wondered II the hard. dry
flesh on the colonel's bones ever felt
any changes In the thermometer at all.
"Have chair Mr.. Carter" went on
the colonel. looking up. and this time
blowing mathematicaliy correct smoke
rings toward the ceiling. How are
the new horsesT
"only n middling lot, sir; might bo
better"
'HumphT said the colonel. That's
In your department"
''Yes, sir"
81 didn't say It was your fault. But
see what you can make Of them"
did you wish TO see me on some
thing particularly" asked the lieutenant.
"Oh, yes; bandmasters reports that
one OF his nags turned very lame this
morning. 1 want you 10 send up good,
quiet horse in time for dress parade.
Have you got one that can stand mu-
sicT"
eyes, sir; think so. what instru-
ment, sir7"
''Bass drum, believe"
VERY good, sir. win have n mount
for him"
THAT'S aU."
Thanks, sir" The lieutenant bur-
rfed out
The post prided itself very highly on
It's mounted band. II was considered
by nll means the best in ne service
The bandmaster was n German OF some
musical education, and he had sur
rounded himself with company Of
good performers, the majority Of them
OF the same nationality as himself.
Colonel Shepard used to brag a good
deal about the band
Lieutenant Carter smiled TO himself
- he crossed the parade ground on bis
way 70 the stables q half hour Inter.
IT, was thinking Of Murphy's appear
nc The bass drummer had the rep.
uti iioI of being something Of n fighter.
IL was not exactly popular In the regi-
mcnt. ana the mental picture ~ Iittfe
Murphy engaged In single combat with
him caused the lieutcnanfs smile A.
he came out OF the stables he was met
by Murphy himself nt the door Of the
big corral. The little Trishman was a
favOrite among the officers because he
was polite. eager and willing. ma no
rould ride anything that had hide md
boots. There he Was standing ~ atten-
tion with shout ss much expression on
bis battered. swollen countenauco az
one ends on bronze imH~s of Buddha.
MURPHY" said Lieutenant Carter.
lifting one foot 10 the lower ra1 ~ the
corral fence. II want your advice"
"Yes. SORT"
Haven't We rot q good. aales horse
that viii stand nusloY ths 1euteuant
ssked
Sure they all have ~ Iesrn. sorr"
"Well, the colonG has asaed nsa e.
pick ont n sober. sulst nsnnt for one
~ the tnud men. Let's Fss-I thiug -
Is the bass drummer"