Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-01-06
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I'm THE CAUSE
OF REFORM
By CYRUS DERIcEsoN
Copyright. 1905, bp Z. C. Mcclure
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BY CYRUS DERIcEsoN
oopwioi.t. 1905, bp Z. C. Mcclure

from the Seventh to the Twelfth regi-
ment and took up his quarters at Fort
Conger he found that his reputation
had preceded him. He was known to
the rank and file as a hard man. The
captain of company is well liked or
totally disliked Captain Trent was
proud of the fact that be was not only
totally dislilSed. but positively hated
by the men he had power over. 1t was
his nature to bulldoze and bullyrag and
tyrannize.
At the first roll call of Company b he
had few words TO say TO his new COM
mand, and from that time on the men
knew what to expect. The old captain
had kept them fairly up to discipline,
and the commander of the post had not
let things go at skies and sevens, but
Captain Trent referred to his company
as set of loafers and slouches who
didn't know enough to wear their uni
forms properly. They were hump
backed and lop shouldered lot; they
Were lazy and shiftess; they needed
buUnS uuuu 10 lItSDtU tutiu up LIE
had the hand. He would teach them
what discipline was and what soldier
ing meant, and any sullenness or hang
ing back would be promptly punished
Then began something akin to a reign
of terror for the seventy men of Com
pany B. Although nearly all were vet
Grams, they drilled from morning till
nj, IN,
stationed at posts in time of peace were
abolished New rules were made and
enforced regarding this and that, and
in fortnight the men felt like lot of
conyicts. Cursing was a part of the
new regime. Captain Trent was down
under the heading of "Officer and Gen
tleman," and yet he was shockingly
profane and shamefulIy abusive. More
punishment was inflicted in month
than for two years before; more deser-
tons took place within three months
than had been recorded for three years.
1t was generally understood that the
"old man"-meaning the commander of
the post - didn't appreciate Captain
Trent's zeal and that he was not sup
ported by his fellow officers in his bully
raging but he went ahead on his own
lines just the same.
There was enough to make the men
sulIen and vengeful, and the captain
kept adding TO it. He broke two
sergcants and three corporals and at
length, as sort of climax, preferred
charges against his orderly sergeant
and had him suspended from duty
while awaiting court martial. The
state of affairs in Company B was
simply lamentable when Miss Blanche
Taylor and her mother arrived at
nearby ranch owned by a son and
brother. If Miss Blanche was not pos
itively engaged to Captain Trent they
had known each other for two years,
and there had been correspondence of
a very friendly nature. The arrival
benefited Company B in way-that
is. it took the captain away from the
post much of his time and turned his
thoughts into other channels. His lieu
tenants were neither martinets nor
bulldoZers.
1t became the captains custom after
a few days to ride over to the ranch
every morning to take a long gallop
with Miss Blanche. On such occasions
he was attended by private soldier
acting as orderly. 1t had been Private
ORourke up to a certain Tuesday
morning. Then Private Higgins hum
bly, followed at the regulation distance
without the change being noticed. Fri
vate Higgins had been Sergeant Hig-
gins for two years before the coming
of Captain Trent, Then cause had
been found for reducing him to the
ranks. On this morning the girl was
ready and waiting, and she and the
captain rode straight away and did not
draw rein until reaching the boiling
spring among the hills. Then they
dismounted for a rest, and Higgins
came forward to take care of their
horses. Even then the captain did not
remark the change. 1t was fifteen
minutes later, as he sat with his back
to a rock and smoking a cigar, that
Private Higgins suddenly appeared be-
fore him with leveled revolver and
quietly said:
Captain Trent, have bit of bust
ness with you, and if you raise any
row about it I'll shoot you through
the head"
rs it you. Higgins?" asked the Off
Ger as he turned.
IT'S me. sir, one of the men you
broke. / acted as orderly today that
| might kill you. Give me the slight
est excuse and I'll do 1t. You have
your revolver. but it is not loaded.
tempered bit with your man last
night. Now put your hands behind
you or this little lady, who is keeping
SO quiet, will see case of killing"
Captain Trent was no coward, but
he knew when he was beaten. When
his arms were thrust behind him they
were made fast with buckskin thongs
brought for the purpose. Then his
ankles were bound. and Private Hig-
gins lighted cigar and sat down and
so;d tr tho GIRL who had hpan 50 SIR