Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-02
CHAPTER IContinued,

It was just one week before the beginning
of the fall term that Brevet Captain Ronald
Fame arrived. This, by the way, was before
the Senate discovered that Indian fighting,
the deadiest and most desperate of all, was
not war within the meaning of the statutes,
so the Gray Fox's recommendation went
| through. Two years later that august body
recanted, and the fighting force of the army
was edited by the decision that man
might be Gas some men were) brevetted up
to the stars for shipping pork and bareback
to combatants in Dixie but could not get
so much as single bar for fighting des-
perately his weight in savage Indians-and
ten times over that. Ronald Fame, how
ever, had been duly breveted For conspicu-
Gus bravery in action against hostile In
dians," and the regiment and the west at
least, applauded Only a few days they
remained under the hospitable roof of Col.
West. The mother and sisters were estab-
lished in their new quarters, the most prim-
tive and contracted the ladies had ever
known, even in the army. Trunks had come.
Boxes and bales were coming, and with
his fathers old friend and fellow soldier
for guide, Ronald had carried out his orders
to report to the president of the State Col
lege, Groveton for duty. 1t was visit ne
never forgot.
They were ushered into a large, semi
darkened room and into the presence of u
man, with deep-Set, caVernouS eyes, hollow
cheeks, long, angular limbs and bony hands,
in long, loose-fittng black coat and trou-
sers, who resignedly lowered his pen at
their approach and greeted them without d
smile.
He did not rise from his chair, even though
one of his visitors was an active and in
fluential trustee. He opened the ball with
out a moment for the customary conven-
tional trifies:
You've come to see about the drill l
suppose, said he.
Fame bowed and glanced toward the col
onel.
About the professorship Mr.. President, ="
said the colonel suggestively.
L don't know what it's called, said the
head of the college with neither interest
are just two things | wsh-that you should
get along without friction and that you
should get the students into the militia.
Fame looked puzzled. This was something
new. He turned to his qu.et-mannered
mentor for explanation.
Our militamen are paid s. apiece
toward their uniform fund said the
colonel with a smile But there are re-
ciprocal obligations and duties. Mr.. Pres
ident, that possibly you have not consid-
cred"
Il don't know anything about that"
quickly responded the head of the college.
What 1 do know is that many of our
students find it a hardship to buy a uni
form. This will help them. Then there has
been more or less friction at times between
the drill instructor, the students and others,
and it is thing to be avoided. Has Mr.
Mr."
Capt Fame" said the trustee smoothly.
Has Mr.. Fame ever taught-elsewhere?
asked the president.
AT West Point" said the lieutenant, not
too confidently
"At-?" The president possibly had not
heard. He looked as .-ough his thoughts
were buried in the manuscript on his desk.
AT West Point reDeated Fame respect
fully
The president looked a trifle dazed or
disappointed. Il thought possibly you
might be able to help in-mathematics. We
may need more he began, but his eyes
dropped again to the penciled page before
him. a word needed modification. He
crossed it out and began tapping impatient
ly at the edge of the paper. Obviously the
interview was too long.
Il could try, sir said Fame, though I'm
rusty just now"
I'm glad you're willing. The man we had
l don't remember his name
"Mr. Strang, possibly" suggested the
trustee.
Said he wasn't sent here for any such
purpose" continued the president. I'm
glad you're willing to be useful
II hope to be that" said Fame, smiling,
"even If / do not teach mathematics
''Well-I don't know anything about the
drills. That"-and the president threw
forth his hands and arms in side-long ges-
ture as much as to say-'that is entirely
beyond my comprehension Then
plainly intimated that there no need
for further trespass his time.
Our president said the colonel. they
walked away lis a strange combination.
His influence for good with the student body
and his powers as a thinker and educator
are remarkable; but he is somewhat-inac-
cessible at times, when deep in psychology
cal research, and he is tenacious of his
theories, which are often Utopian, l fear.
haI cir llyr IN hoo, IL
work, take things they come; remem-
Der that our boys are rough, perhaps, but
l have found them mighty ready when it
came to fighting. There's no better soldier
stuff In the world, captain than you'll find
right here-only 1t isn't in every man to
know how to develop itself If 1 may adj
wise l should say start in quietly, win their
good will and handle them yourself. Pitts
mistake was in thinking he was sent to
make military academy of country col
lege.
"Strang was in forever bothering the
president about matters of discipline. Prex
krows the Bible, the humanities,' theology,
psychology and metaphysics by heart, but
he has no more idea of what is military
than l have of the millennium. If Prex
had his way all nations should disarm
forthwith, turn their spears into shears and
swords into pruning hooks. He hates the
sound of gun or the sight of a soldier.
He can't see why all men can't be like
himself, ascetic, abstinent and peace-lov-
ing-so long as undisturbed. He can't be
made to see that he is one of the most
combative natures conceivable. Tread on
his toes or his theories and Prex is up in
arms. a fighter to the bitter end. That
he calls spontaneous combatveness.' He
says there is so much in human nature that
every appliance to aid or develop it should
be eliminated, hence no arms, no drill, no
soldiers"
And yet" said Fame, "he l., head of an
institution that has accepted large bounty
from the government on condition Of main
tanning instruction in both tactics ana dis
cipline. How IS that?"
1T is hard 20 explain" said West. 'As
l say. his IS complex organism. Educa-
ton is part of MS religion. To teacn and
spread abroad the gospel, to disseminate
his theories. he regards as sacred duty
Every dollar that we can command should
be devoted TO the cause. and every energy
not needed In teaching should be devoted
to getting the dollars. One-fif.h oc our in
come Is derived through that agricultural
college act and Prex thinks every cent of
IL should go to the support of any depart
ment in the college other than the military
He thinks the government wrorg In rro-
viding for military instruction. therefore It's
right for him to divert its bounty to other
purposes. Yet If some of our big brewers
or spectators or gamblers were to offer TO
endow a chair or two or build a library or