Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1906-09-06
MARSHAL VORWARTS.
BY ST. JOHN Dyer.

with drawn sword directing ana lead
ing his legions in the last charge at
Waterloo, must have made vivid,
lasting impression upon our old work
man Schmutke, exciting in him the
vain desire for military renown. Ev-
identity his soul and ambition scared
far above the dyeing pots and pans OF
his reshaping business. He felt the
severe repression of genius, unable
to reach out toward it's achievements,
and this soured him into the gruf,
grumpy humor of mind out of sorts
with its mental environment.
But, like murder, military genius
will out, though it take some narrow
err stage for its exhibition. On the
alert tor such opportunity, Schmutke
Joined that formidable band of war
riors, the Knights of Pythias, and by
dint of interested zeal, became lofty
luminary in that hierarchy. This
was in the days when they sported
the tin helmet with ferocious plume
Of horsehair streaming behind, that
should turn pale the Intellectual o.
trich feathers of their brethren, the
knights Templar, and make their
souls rankle with envy. No doubt it
was one of this order, who, in mean
streak of jealousy, fathered and faunt-
ed the suspicion that the knights of
Pythias were so eager for their funer.
al parades that they procured alien
and bogus corpses for that purpose, a
SANDER that was scornfully rebuked
by the Knights of the helmet and
horsehair, who still continued to die
manfully, in order that they might
luxuriate in tie mufled pomp OF death
and in fsmboyant funerals.
1t was on such occasion that
Schmutke, having reached the acme
of his ambition, was to act as chief
marshal, and for this great event he
had prepared himself with regalia of
startling pattern, likely more high
toned and ritualistic than the man.
datory of his order. But genius must
not be bound by prescriptions. No
doubt he had been prompted and
abetted in this by an artist in mis-
chief who took special delight in push
ing him along in his military ambition
and this was 10 other than an old.
er brother, who called me to 90 with
him on the occasion to see the show.
For this purpose we abased our mer-
camille and clerical dignity-and
took curbstone seats, surrounded by
small boys and the sable rabblement
usual at such displays.
Sure enough, there was our cYno-
sure, Schmutke, my brothers old
workman, now transformed into
knight in Armor, mounted on large
Norman horse, with glitteling helmet,
much horsehair and also cuirass of
his own design. He must have vex-
ed the soul Of the tinker to solder
him up in this cleaning sheet-iron
panopy-perchance to hold down the
pressure Of his swelling pride. An
illuminated sword was not wanting,
and his helmet was secured by met
al bale that made another division
crease in his mopy double chin. How
he ever succeeded in getting on horse
back in such casing was mystery
presumably by derrick, no other hy-
potbesis could solve that problem.
But there he sat, stern, solemn, and
immobile as the equestrian statue in
Don Giovanni, only in that fluffy, red,
moonface, his wall eyes rolled around
in circles, as those of revolving-orbed
idol-but their glance never fell up.
on his employer, my good brother.
In his proud pre-eminence he wanted
no reminder Of his daily occupation.
For this day he was the grand exslt-
ed commander, and would show forth
the metal of which he was made. So
be waited in silent majesty for the
funeral lines of war to form, and he
should give the word of command to
advance.
There were the usual delays the
numberless, unforeseen bitches, not
perchance uDgrateful 10 Schmutke,
who had sufficient time to contemplate
and enjoy his proud pre-eminence.
At length all was ready, the gentle
man in the coffin duly lined up with the
advance guard of mourners. SO a
subaltern came to tell the generalissi-
mo that all was prepared for the
word of command. Now and here was
the proudest moment of his life; he
reached around and whipped out his
sword with an alarming swish then
making horrid circle in the circum-