The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-21

rede lost to them. found the words oon-
stantly springing to their lips, III Mel
vile had only come ssrlisri'
And yet, as we have seen, II was un- i
likely that Melville could have prevailed
In matter such a. Langdon's, who had
done 90 much TO hurt his own cause. The
major had discovered the good points Ia
the post commander much sooner than
the latter would admit that there WAS
anything remarkable about Melville. BY
mid-Ootober. however, the genuine sol
der In Cats" constitution had oompell-
ed la him All admiration and respect for
the srAsely courteous artllleryman that.
la spite OF the lingering jealousy he folt.
made him desire Melyiles friendship.
Long ere this he had realized that bat
tery horses were built on far different
lines from the troopers" he loved and,
being much heavier-haulsrs instead OF
carriers and fed and shod for draft and
prepared for severe and sudden strain
should never have been cut down from
their allowance with the view OF making
them conform TO his ideas Of how a horse
should look. Cat ruefully admitted, 10
himself only, that he had come near spoil
ing some 40 draft animals and nearer
still TO making one ass who should be
nameless. II was not until a month after
Langdon's departure. however, that he
mustered up manlinsss TO say to Mel
Vile; How much fellow thinks he
knows about some other fellows business
until he tries. Now. l had no more IDEA
that 4 battery horse had to be 30 much
heavier. Course / could have read IL al
up In the tactics. don't you know. but
hate books, somehow. and ought to
have realized thAt sattery commanders
like Hstnor and singer, at least knew
their biz. don't take any stock in--in
Nathan. His horses had hides on 'em ike
a Yellowstone buffalo. Why. had TO give
him hadss the nrst week / got here. and
he gave me a swell dinner. But Just
wish you would consider you're at the
head or the artillery part Of this estab-
iishmsnt now. Melville. / believe It's best
to leave II all to you"
And the two gravely shook HANDS
Cat" as has been observed. had con-
| science After q moments silence he be-
| gan again, Then there's another thing.
| That adJutant Of mine-impudent fellow
| at times II he In a good officer-has never
| forgiven me about Langdon. He doesn't
| speak Of IL OF course. except when I
| draw him out. / wouldn't stand that. you
know. But he says IL I'd been here longer
and had known more bout Langdon and
as much about Nathan and Torrance as
| i do now / wouldn't have been 80 hard
on him. He says / ought TO have sought
your views. Well. p'raps I ought, Mel
| Vile. but didn't get to know you at nrst.
| Where is that fellow now. anyhow Dyou
ever hear from him7''
| 'T have heard once or twice." answered
Melville grsvely. But he prefers to say
nothing of his occupation. His creditors.
/ at least. are furnished with his ao-
dress"
you think he was q very good soldier.
| am told" said Cat" looking keenly
| into the majors face moment then
turning To scruunize as keenly the col
umn OF horse just moving leisurely In
| from morning drill.
| An exceptionally nns one," said Mel
| Vile.
| And at that moment che exceptionally
Nae soldier hat In hand. was standing
| patiently, silently, In the anteroom or Z
| great railway superintendent The half
dozen chairs had long been occupied by
others 1 wisttal ,a, ooxing as SsSSiiy aIss
dressed men YEARLY lounstnE about
morning for an audienee. but some mat at
cupied every moment OF the magnate'
time. Clerks were hurrying ia and out
Other officials, with anxious faces, came
and went Every now and then some ol
the waiting party would slip quietly ou
and, returning. hold whi spered confer
enoes with others Of rheir kind. The,
stood among them an allen and strang
the CLERK came out. nodded to him AM
held open the door. Hat In hand, Lang
don passed through q room where half
dozen men and women were clicking a
typewriters and was shown into a small
sunny corner apartment. The superin
tendent sat at his desk. stenographe
beside him. well dressed, handsome
man OF 50 was nerv0usly pacing the moor
Holding out a note. the superintend
ent said: ..L
president MINI. Dangdon. What d'
you know about railroeding?"
Next TO nothing, sir. practically, as
told the president"
"Then I cant see why ne should sent
you TO me. What line OF work have yoI
been at?'
"Soldiering"
The superintendent found time q
laugh. That's bad preparation FOR th'
work we require OF our men. We have
no use for soldiers"
Nor" said Langdon, his pale facs
flushing trine II recall two occasions