The National tribune., 1903-07-09

was found to have lost a button from his
cap, and was ordered back. Another had
little fringe around the bottom of his
pantaloons, and lost his chance. A third
had a splash of coffee on his pantalOons
which he had tried to sponge out, but
which now showed, and he had to step
back into the ranks. A fourth had ner-
vously unbuttoned his blouse, and he went
back. A fifth had trusted that the shirt
he had put on the day before would do.
and back ne went. The sixth had only
BACKED the heels of his shoes, not polished
them, and he went back.
Gid had let little too long time elapse
since his last hair cut, and back he went.
ALI Russell had picked up an iodine bot
tie just before starting out, which left Il
brown stain on the inside of his gloves.
He had managed to conceal this until now,
but back he had to go.
Everyone held his breath as the choice
narrowed down to Monty and Harry, who
stood trembling under the ordeal.
The Adjutant looked them over care
fully for a few nervous seconds. Both
were as Immediately clean as soldiers
could be. There seemed no choice be-
tween them.
'Take off your gloves" commanded the
Adiutant.
No choice there. Their hands were per-
fectly clean, their nails well-trimmed and
cleaned.
"Take off your blouses," commanded the
Adjutant.
Still no choice. Both shirts were new.
perfectly clean. and irreproachabe around
collars and cuffs.
The excitement grew intense, and ev-
erybody watched for the next test.
''Take off your Shoes" commanded the
Adjutant.
Harry and Monty spread their hand
kerchiefs on the ground, and removed
their shoes. There Monty's downfall came
In some way he had put one of the
bright-colored socks he had bought of the
Sutler on wrong-side out. Harry was all
right.
"Joslyn is detailed for Orderly. and will
report at headquarters" said the Adju-
tant briefly, and shout went I'D from
those who had been betting on Harry
from the first.
Here comes the General and his staff.
with the Chaplain" continued the Adju-
tant. "Go and report to him for duty,
Joslyn. There comes the wedding party
from the hospital. Fall in. Bat
t-a-l-i-o-n. Right dress. Back on the left.
Steady! Come forward in the center.
Steady! Front! Without doubling-Right
Face! Forward. March,
Gen. McGillicuddy, in full dress, accom-
panied by a number of field and staff Off
GERS similarly attired, put himself at thn
head of his regiment, and marched to the
Cathedral" where seats had been pro-
yided for them on the right of the i'm
provised altar. The band played the regi-
ment down, and then took its place on the
left, and got in readiness to execute the
special program for the OCCASION upon the
preparation of which the Leader had been
spending no end of anxious thought.
The regiment sat down on the carpet of
thick grass, on either side of the central
pathway of scarlet blankets.
Soon the bridal party arrived. in three
ambulances, the first containing Maria.
the Deacon; the second 81, Shorty, the
Surgeon and DR.. Brookes, and the last
filled with convalescentS for whom it was
unsafe to walk so far
The bugles rang out attention" as the
ambulances reached the front of the
Cathedral" and all inside rose. and
stood at a salute as Maria descended from
the ambulance, and took the arm of the
Deacon.
When Shorty. assisted by 81, descended
from the ambulance and started
up the path on his faithful partners arm,
the hand struck up THE Bold Soldier
Boy" and his comrades made the lofty
leafy arches ring with three cheers and
n tiger.
His face flushed, his eye kindled. and
he stood up more erect, at this flatterin:
from those who knew him best
of all, and until Maria entered the leafy
temple of hymen the men feasted their
eyes on the gorseOusly apparelled groom
and best man.
Though the 200th Ind, like most West
ern regiments, had an incurable dislike to
the full dress uniform, with its pleniitn,ie
of brass as thea prescribed by the resi=
lations for the enlisted men of the army,
yet it was decided in the Co. Q council
that Shorty and his best man 81 should