The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-09-27
II

| ton to the arsenal; but to the unkempt
men In shabby uniforms, slouching
through the muddy streets, the march
seemed interminable. They did not
present a military appearance, burden
ed with baggage, marching in lines of
threes or fours, In ragged alignment.
Keeping In step only from force of
habit They carried no guns, and the
absence of weapons made them look
more like company of hop pickers
| than soldiers. They swore. solemnly at
the rain that drizzled upon them and
at the mud that clogged their feet
There was no demonstration of any
| kind to welcome the men back. The
people In the streets through which
| they marched paid but little attention
to them. and as for the men themselves,
they walked wearily along, with their
heads down and looking neither to the
| right nor the left oppressed by the
weather and by their own thoughts
| Even the captain trudged along at the
head Of his men, his eyes fixed moodily
on the mud, his sword huddled in the
hollow of his arm.
Once in turning into a side street
they delayed trolley car, and the mo-
torman shook his fist ana swore pic
turesquely. They paid no attention to
this: but when newsboy called to a
companion. Say, Jimmy, what's
soger without gum" they WINGED as
If pinked by a spent bullet.
The gray walls of the armory We're a
welcome sight, and the men rushed at
doub]e-quick through the great door,
way with the eagerness of sheep that
scramble into barn after long days
drive. Blankets and bundles We're
pitched in all directions, and the men
drew up in very irregular line and
answered listlessly to their names as
the adjutant called them from the mus
ter book This duty performed. there
was an awkward minute that seemed
to stretch into an hour. The men
looked at each other helplessly, and
nervously shuff1ed their feet. The cap
tain. standing three PAGES in front of
his men. was i'll at ease, and he toyed
childishiy with his sword.
The silence became ominous.
The captain cleared his throat. as If
preparing for an oratorical effort. The
men observed the signal and approved.
Speech" said voice.
Speech" went down the line.
The captains hand trembled just
little on the sword hilt. He glanced
longingly at the open door of the Off
GERS headquarters.
"Speech-spcech-spe insisted |
the soldiers. highly gratified at these
evidences Of their commanders en-
barra ssment.
There was no escape.
II don't know as l have anything to |
say" he began, huskily. Anyway, not |
at this time. I guess you're all as disl
appointed as I am over the way things
have turned out, but we won't COM
plain. boys. Every one of you has done
his duty, and I don't know but what |
it's Just about as fine to serve by wait
ing as it is t. fight. I know what
you've all done, even If the people
don't. and I feel sure that every man
of you would be willing to go through
the same thing again and for no other
reward"
The captain wheeled around and
faced the faded colors that draped the
wall There was no embarrassment in
his manner now He stood erect. mo-
tionless. Then his right hand holding
the sword, swept above his head. His
hand was lowered slowly to the level
of his face; it moved outward, the
blade describing a downward curve. 1t
was soldiers salute to his flag.
The crooked file Strengthened instinct
lively. Boot heels clicked, and shoul-
ders were thrown back. Then, with the
precision of machine, every arm
swung upward to salute, and every
head was barred.
The captain faced about The arms
of the men fell like levers to their
sides.
Attention, company"
There was a slight ripple in the thin
blue line.
Break ranks!"
But before the command was obeyed
the center of the line bulged outward.
One of the soldiers staggered forward,
his hands clutching at the blue hand
kerchief about his throat. He reeled
like drunken man, and then dropped
headlong TO the floor.
The men crowded around the pros
Lrate figure. The captain forced his
way through the blue circle.
Fall back mem" he ordered. give
him air.
The soldiers obeyed instantly.
"Who is t." he asked.
"Carew," answered dozen voices.
The captain made hurried examina-
ion. When he rose to his feet his face
VAS very grave,
Sergeant" he said telephone at
'nce for the ambulance. And don't al {
ow a man to leave the building"