Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1902-11-13
VOUEG AND CID
In The ARMY


out of the rookery known as the
bachelors quarters and started
jauntily down the officers line bear
ing in his hand kite.
He was Immediately surrounded
by the abundant supply of small
boys from the officers quarters, all
Of whom were anxious for the kite.
He picked out young Arthur be-
cause the boy was so fond of sport
and never cried when thrown from
his pony, but young Smart of the
cavalry, lounging on the bachelors
piazza, stirred up 'Mr." Dawdle of
the infantry, by remarking, "You
will get left, plebe, for there goes
Toney boot licking that boy again,
and he is sure of an invitation to
tea, and you know what that means" Z"
'That boy" was the captains son,
and the captains wife had a young
lady sister visiting her, whom Toney
had already escorted for a ride on a
troop horse.
But this is all byplay to the kite
story. Toney took out of his pocket
a ball of cord, borrowed from the
commissary sergeant for the occa-
sion, and Strengthened the kite tail,
made of old yellow stripes cut from
scouting trousers. Everything be-
ing ready, he called out, "Hold her,
my son, and / will run her up for
you, and then she is yours"
Toney started in quarter race
time, encouraged by frantic yells
from the boys; but, alas, just as
Arthur's young aunt was merrily
applauding from the piazza the kite
commenced to duck in the most
cowardly fashion, and the faster
Toney ran the more it ducked.
"Sumpen's the matter" said Ar
thur.
""Tain't got the right sort o. tai" "
said another; ''tie a rock to her." and
many similar pieces of advice came
from all the boys at once.
BY this time the piazzas were
filed with spectators, and the men
waiting for mess call sailed out on
the barrack porches to see the fun,
when old Major Stuffy started to-
ward the boys with that important
air which he thought becoming to
one SO old, ''be gad, dragons, be-
fore the war, sirw
81 say, Toney, you want to short
en- up the center bride and make
her stand on the wind like this, "
said the old major, taking hold of
the kite.
Toney, who was puzzling his mind
as to where he could get more kite
tail without tearing up his only ex-
ira pair of sheets, looked up and
remarked, swell, old man, what do
you know about kites anyway"
Now, Major Stuffy had always
been very partial to Toney and
showed it by always joking with him
while swelling with i'll fitting dig
nifty in his intercourse with all the
subalterns. The old gentleman's
nerves had been a little shaken for
a few days because the infantry
colonel and brevet major general
commanding the post-"one of
those demned volunteers, you know
= had added insult to injury by
sending him an order not to drive
any more government horses in his
private conveyance. Toney's light
and airy remark. upset the major
completely, and he was on the point
of venting his rage on him when
who of all others should come stroll
ing out but the commanding officer
himself. He who had won his. stars
for bravery and conspicuous serv-
ices from Perryville to Resaca GER
tainly ought TO know all about kites.
The excitement on the parade was
too much for the old gentleman, and
dismissing his orderly to dinner be
raised his sun umbrella and remark
ed to his excellent spouse, II will 90
and show them how to put up q
kite" The very idea seemed to make
him young again, and he threw out
his chest and squared his shoulders
as if he were going to take a new
lease of life. He joined the group
around the kite, and Major Stuify
braced himself pompously and sa-
luted with an air which plainly said,
'T'n stand me ground, be CAD, sirr'
'How do you do, Mr.. Rucker p
said the general blandly. 81 see that
your kite doesn't work right, and"-
at viii be all right in a moment,
sir. / have sent to the troop tailor
for more tail"
sBut, Mr.. Rucker, when / was a
boy-he retires for old age next
year-"we never made long tails.
You just split the pieces you have
and tie some knots in them. Then
shorten up the bride and make her
stand so"-
~Just what ] told the general,
said the major eagerly, "and he In
suited me, sir! Yes, sir; this young
fellow that has not been in the serv-
ice ten years, sir, asked me what did
1know about kites. sirr'
Now, Major Stuffy had been avoid.
ing the general ever since he had re-
ceived the communication about the
horses and had even declined fuvi.