The National tribune., 1904-02-11

| more especially an order from Monty
Scruggs, who was only 11ance-Sergeans
anyway, and disposed to magnify his au-
thority, Pete thought. Next, he wanted
awfuliy to finish the story, and, lastly,
new recruits coming in at that time were
loathed as the scum of the earth. Pete
had all the superiority that a boy who
had been through the mill was likely to
have over green boys OF his own age who
had never smelled powder
But Monty's tone convinced Pete that he
would save a heap of trouble by obeying
promptly. So he flung down the book and
proceeded to take it out of the poor re-
cruits. = -
"Well, you are tile greenest set of GU
cumbers that ever was picked he re-
| marked. disdainfully surveying the lout-
ing, weary boys. blossoms hain't all
dropped often you. How'd your mothers
come to let you CO. I'd like to know
Stand up there. Take the position of SOL
diers. What do you mean by slouching
that way! This amt no spelling-cIass nor
game of three-cornered cat. Jewhilikens,
do they expect to make soldiers out of such
stuff as that?''
The boys awkwardly tried to obey, only
to increase Pete's contempt and anger.
-, tarnatiOn! Stand up straight. Put
your heels together. Draw your stomachs
In. Don't carry your bellies as if they
were base-drums. Put your little fingers
down to the seams Of your pantaloons.
Keep off one anothers heels. Condemn
| such clumsy lot of brindle calves. What
in time can be done with you, don't
know"
Il don't know that we're so much worse
| than you was, Pete Skidmore, when you
first came out" the biggest of them
plucked up courage to say. Il remember
the men writing home that you was al
ways in the way when the company was
drilling, and everybody was falling over
YOU"
shut up, Tom Taylor" roared Pete.
recognizing an old school mate. You're
sasslng your superior officer which amt
allowed. Shut your head, or I'll make
you"
Il don't know whether you'll make me
or not replied the other doubling his
fists. Il licked you once, and kin do it
agin."
This challenge was too much for Pete.
he forgot that he was non-commissoned
officer, and instantly mixed up with the
boy. In spite of Pete's veteran airs. il
seemed that Tom Taylor had been growing
muscle at quite as rapid rate. The likeli-
hood was that he would have downed
Pete had not Wales johnson, hearing the
row, dashed out, saatched the boys apart.
cuffed them both, threatened Pete with
the guard house, and standing him up in
front Of the squad sharply ordered him to
go ahead with his business without any
more rotten f0olshness
Pete was now madden than ever be-
cause he had lost much of the prestige of
superiority he had started out with. He
became more severely military than ever
''Tenshion! he shouted "Come into
line, there. Right dress. Come out on the
left. Back there in the center. Front.
Right face!-Forward, march,,
Alas for Pete! He was well enough
drilled himself, but had never drilled any
body else. He forgot that when standing
in front of men the officer must give the
commands i'll reverse: that what is right ia
him is left to them
Therefore, the boys nervously eager to
obey, whirled in just the opposite way
which Pete had intended, and bolted
straight for the sink for the company
Kitchen. Pete jumped after them and
rescued them by main strength before that
disaster happened.
Then he became conscious that Wales
johnson, Monty Scruggs and others had
taken sudden interest i'm his handling the
squad, and We're standing in front OF their
tents grinning at him..
He resolved then to do or die, and re-
aligned his squad, patiently going from
boy to boy, showing him how to stand.
hold his hands and place his feet. Then he
placed himself in front, facing them, and
commanded:
; Now, be careful, and all move together.
keeping straight line All keep your
faces to the front, but cast your eyes a lit
tie to the left. SO as to keep even with the
next man. Step off with your left feel.
Don't move till you get the command
March. Forward-MARCH. Hep! Hep!1
Hepv'
The boys started fairly we'll and pete
walking backward III front OF them, calling
out Hep! Hepw to regulate their step.
thought that ut last he was doing it In a
way in which Wade nor Monty could end I
fault.
just as this comforting thoueht secured
Judgment ne backed with full force into
Harry Joslsab TIN TINT anA ne nextl