Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-12-23

he had never contemplated, that of
! having to drill the battalion. Camp
\ was to be inspected next day by a
Irregular" There would surely be a
review, with the whole countryside out
to see and scores of fellows from other
regiments to criticise. 1t ended in Cap
tain Langdon's being asked to "act" as
commanding officer which he did with
consummate ease and gave them hours
4 of such coaching" as they'd never
had and more all the afternoon and fol-
eight companies passed a surprisingly
creditable inspection, and their review
was the best given by any of the state
forces that summer. The old colonel
resigned at the close of the camp, the
lieutenant colonel waived promotion.
the officers signed paper asking that
Langdon be made colonel. and then
some of them privately told the adj
jutant general they did so because
they couldn't say no. exactly" and
yet We're opposed to the idea. They
might well be, because they knew their
incapacity and felt that Langdon
would soon be after them with a sharp
stick.
| The two roads, through their repre-
sentatiyes. had also something to say.
| Mr.. Langdon was q brave officer and
oil that, good man to have at hand in
time Of trouble, but one who would
probably make more trouble than he
could cure. Again, the executive found
/ that there was an undercurrent among
the political soldiers and the manage
ment of the roads inimical to Lang
don's advancement. Election was COM
ing on. Campaign funds were needed
"Put away the sword; states can be
saved without it, was something any
statesman could say. from Richelieu
who could say states could be saved
without money? The. governor knew
that personally and professionally
Langdon was the man of all others for
that promotion, but he gave it to the
major, q gentleman who didn't know a
/ cartridge from cato nine tails, and
that autumn in an editorial genuine in
Its regret The Banner referred to the
removal from their midst of the law
firm of Cresswell & Langdon. 1t was
understood that brilliant prospects
awaited the gentlemen comprising it in
the field of their new operations-the
rapidly developing region of the mines
and forests of the far northwest. 1t
was understood that they had already
secured their office in the heart of the
great lumber district of the Columbus
and that, except in memory, Nebraska
would know them no more. That win
Ter Cresswell & Langdon were enrolled
among the taxpayers Of Spartanville.
Another year. and the Kentuckian was
In his element and the legislature,
while Langdon stuck to the desk ana
to courts until once again importuned
by men who knew his deeds in Nebras-
ka to take the head of stalwart COM
Coed gracious, Langdon, 'ssaiG CTess-
well, haven't Eau wasted enough time
In that thanlless work? What good do
you ever expect to get out of it?"
1.-Two goods, colonel" said Lnngdon
TRANQUILITY. One is that 1 am paying
the nation for my education; another,
gaining for myself hold among the
men from whom the nation must find
her soldiers next time she goes to bat
tie. It's got to come, and when it does
go out at the head of regiment and
not the tail Of a battery. Mark you
that!'