The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-21
III Ten Years rialH
I'LL The Story Of o Soldiers Struggle IS
III BY BriSadier General $$
III Charles King 3
xf4 Copyright 1901. by Charles King ~
CHAPTER II.
Copyright, 1901, by Charles King


Military matters AZ the great cavalry
and artillery post on the Pawnes were
not altogether harmonious during the
fall and winter following Eric Lang
don's departure. There were some things
and many soldiers Captain Nathan's
money could not buy. and ruder stock
and harsher awakening to his true posi-
ton this plutocrst batteryman could not
we'll have had than came TO him In that
scene at the station. He had gone thither
70 meet and escort TO his quarters two
prominent and wealthy railway ofacials
from the distant east. one or them rsla-
tive Of his wtfo. He had counted on their
coming to make q profound Impression
In the big garrison, and HIS arrangements
for their entertainment included two days
OF quail shooting. riding party somo
special drills and three or four elaborate
dinners, with dancing to follow In the
evening. His first impression on catching
sight OF the crowd at tho station was
one of complacency-the officers and men
were gatehered there 10 get an early
glimpse of his distinguished guests. IL
never occurred to him that Langdon
would be going away on that train, stu
less that any number OF the garrison
should 20 TO bid him farewell and god
speed. He figured that Langdon would
have to hang ABOUT the post day or two
settling up his affairs. He had made m
Qulries as the amount in which Langdon
was indebted to the mess and TO the es-
tabl!shment still maintained at the edge
OF the reservation by tho descendants OF
an old TINA post trader. When, there
fore he stepped from bis stylish carriSCe
as the footman sprang down and opefied
the door. he was startled and shocked
by the appariton OF Langdon himself and
stunned speechless by that bitter denun-
citation. Glanc.ng about him. he saw some
half a hundred soldiers, with a sprinkling
OF civilians, and not one face that ro-
fected anything but sympathy for Lang
don and dislike for himself. The rush or
the incoming train released him from tho
humiliation of his position. AS the men
swarmed about Langdon, eager 10 clasp
his hand. while the captain frtendless and
alone. hastened 10 the rear sleeper TO meet
tho maXnate tes. To lead them to his car
yiage he was compelled TO return through
q throng OF his own mon just as the train
began to move, and a stentor OF ser
geant shouted, '.Three cheers for Leu
tenant Langdon. the best officer OF Bat
tsry d." whereat. with lusty lungs ana
swinging caps. the soldiers shouted again
and again Until the train slipped away
round the bend under the bluff, and not
one OF their number had ~ much az a
look. much less q salute, fct' the captain.
II was no time to resort to discipline
then 'Iu hx EN- for this when I set
'om back to barracks" ne swore TO him.
self, but the sorest hearted, bitterest man
TO return that morning from the railway
20 the post WAS he who rolled homeward
IN his cushioned chariot. with uveried re-
talnsrs on the box and untold wealth be-
side him.
II chafed him, too. that Woodrow.
May and other young officers should
gallop past him on the homeward way
without 80 much an a peep at his I'M
posing companions or touch OF the
cap to him. The magnates were vast
ly interested I'm the dashing riding OF
the party and In Mays beautiful thor
oughbred and asked questions concern
ing them which only added to Nathan .
keen sense OF humiliation and defeat.
He couldn't reach May, for that young
gentleman was Melvilrs adJutant and
kept his mount in his own little stable
in rear OF the batchelor quarters. But
woodrow was poor and rode a battery
saddle horse, and that evening at sta
bles the captain sent for him and, with
cutting emphasis. Informed him that the
order permitting officers on temporary
duty with the light batteries to use a
public horse applied only TO occasions OF
drill, parade or prescribed exercise. mo
officer I'm my battery. SIR" he concluded.
'can be permitted to use my horses TO
scatter dirt In the faces OF my guests anu
20 race impudently past the battery COM
mander without a salution OF any kinu."
Woodrow stood at attention. saluted.
waited a moment and said. Anything fur
ther, sirr' TO which Nathan responded.
That's all. sir" And then as, with an
other punctilious salute. the subaltern
was about TO turn away the idea that
had been uppermost. the sting OF humilia-
ton OF me morning clamorins for ex-
preston, forced from Nathan the very
words Woodrow was longing to hear and
that he lost no time In rushing on de-
lightedly TO tell to his fellows at the club
"Tnere In one matter you-free be