The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-03

and I'm saluting: then, with another sa-
Lutte, he passed plate to the colonel. and
all the while he looked as manly and
self possessed as II he were just entering
one OF Summerton's best parlors. / did
wish my cousin May might see him just
then. A moment later l was glad for
Brainards sake that she couldn't. The
colonel went through the motions OF tast-
ing the cake. 1t would have been undig-
nifed for him to eat ell OF II. though ev-
cry man knew he was dying to. Then In
his clearest dress parade voice he said:
Sergeant Hamilton. | Will make you
lieutenant as soon as a vacancy occurs.
A man who knows how to feed soldiers
well has In him tho stuff OF which good
officers are made.
Hamilton again saluted. but with the
air Of a man to whom lieutenancies were
offered daily. The remainder OF the com
pany were so profoundly impressed that
no one but the cook, who hoped 10 bc
Uamiltons successor as commissary ser
geant, had the sense TO propose three
cheers for the colonel
But the prospective lieutenant did not
leave his pans. II took an hour of time
to fry and deal out that half barrel OF
batter Besides, Phil was teaching the
cook Finally the supply was exhausted.
Hamilton threw his greaser into the fire,
turned the tub upside down and sat up
on II TO rest.
Suddenly one man exclaimed:
Well by thunder! The cakes were so
good that we've forgotten all about our
cofree!"
"ThaniSsi That's a bigger compliment
than the coloners," said Hamilton. rails
ing his hat. He was right. too.
The coffee cups we're filled and emp
tied. and we went slowly back 10 the
quraters IN little groups instead Of sin
quarters I'm haste. as was usual In cool
wso .her. There were MOI ms much Scuf-
fling swearing and horseplay as we gen
orally had between supper and tattoo.
The quarters were Quiet-so quiet that
we were almost startled when Mick Nc
Twyny's grating voice and thick brogue
were heard I'm an attempt TO sing The
words were merely "Thra -lah -lah,' but
the music. In spite OF some eccentric
sharps and fats was finally recognized
as that OF Home. Sweet Home" Some
one hummed the bass. another fellow
helped Mick along with the air, others
dropped I'm. singly or two or three to-
gether on various notes and bars. and
when the last note was touched II seemed
"a though every voice was In H. Then
Brairard started us all OF again. with all
the words and notes distinctly enunciat-
ed.
The effect was not what | would have
expected. Everybody looked serious
Some men fixed their eyes on the ground
others looked mt the shingles overhead
az n trying 20 pierce them and see the
stars; more than one fellow drew his ha,
over his eyes. and n married man sitting
on n bottom bunk suddenly turned and
buried his face I'm the pillow As for me-
though my gase was fixed on the little
black stove In the centre OF the room.
saw our house az Summerton. my ia
ther and mother. little Ned and Cousin
MAY. the dog Rover. the horses. COWS
pigs and chickens. my room and every
thing on it's walls. felt my face twitch
ing. so. 10 keep from bctraying my feel
ings. I hastily began looking about the
room again. but was n second too late
couldn't see anything distinctly.
And all this merely because ~ sup
per of pancakcsl
(To BE Continued Tomorrow