Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-06-25

Fail In, men," said the lieutenant.
threw up the window sashes, but two
infantrymen with fixed bayonets were
in the tiny courtyard below. Then
Babel began again, while the lieuten-
ant resumed his chair, cigar and pen
rs coolly rs If he were deaf or accus-
toned to such scenes.
Can 1t be possible that this was
what the major meantT' asked Of
Hamilton and Cloyne.
Undoubtedly" groaned Cloyne. ut
isn't a new trick by any means"
1.-THE scoundrelw Kissed Hamilton,
who was the picture of more kinds of
discomfort than had ever seen in one
face before.
Perhaps he really did want to see
us three on the business you suggest
ed" said to Hamilton. "'Twon't do
any harm to ask"
He shook his head doubtfully. but
approached the lieutenant, followed by
Cloyne and me.
Lieutenant" said he, excuse me,
but have reason to expect some off,
cial communications from Albany,
through the major, for myself and my
friends here. Can you tell me whether
they have Gomez"
mot that know Of" said the officer
pleasantly.
"Will the major be in soon?"
"The major is-no. The truth is, l
doubt whether we shall ever see him
again. He hasn't succeeded in raising
a company, much less battalion. and
has dropped out of the business. He
never had commission anyway"
.'Then all of US to whom he promised
commissions are duped?"
mot at all-if you've raised the req
uislte number of men. Have you done
IT."
Then Hamilton lost his self posses
sion for the first time within my knowl-
edge.
GLOW many men have you ralsed?"
continued the officer.
"Five." said Hamilton feebly.
! "And your This to Cloyne.
''Four," sighed the handsome Irish
man.
Then the lieutenant looked at me In
qulringly.
Three" whispered. remembering
that one was dead and another re-
claimed by his parents.
"And you've consumed nearly a
month at this" said the officer. what
commissions do you suppose you are
entitled TOT?
No one answered. SO the lieutenant
resumed his work.
Then we three Summerton men step
ped aside at Hamilton's suggestion for
consultation. but we at once began to
moan and grumble instead of consult
ing. Cloyne said he had no one in
particular to say goodby to; neyerthe-
less to go of as we were about to. with
out saying q word to any of the many
people he had known pleasantly for
years. would make him feel very much as
II suddenly arrested and sent to prison.
Hamilton said he heartily wished him
self in Cloyne's condition. but unfortu-
nately there were many people to
whom he owed parting calls and some
with whom he had m1fa engagements
which he wouldn't breag for anything.
began to say that feared that not to
see me again would be the death of my
father or mother or both. but | didn't
get through my speech very well. AS
for my brother Ned. when thought
of that little fellow and all might
have been to him. but hadn't. and now
he wouldn't have big brother again
for years. secretly promised heaven
to endure patiently any hardship or
suffering of war If might be spared
to make amends to that small boy.
Suddenly Hamilton exclaimed:
'This won't do. We're wasting pre-
cious time. If we can't go back home
we can at cast telegraph our friends
to come d. vn and say goodby to us.
Let me labor with the great mogul once
more"
Lieutenant" said Hamilton. whom
Cloyne and followed TO the desk. II
beg a thousand pardons, but know
you'll forgive me IL you'd put yourself
In my place for moment. Pm an old