Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1906-01-18
General Barry
Ver5uG
General Order"
By NJ. J. PHILLIPS
By NJ. J. PHILLIPS
Copyright, 1906, by Ruby Douglas

II Copyright 1905, by Ruby Douglas
The colouel's daughter was paying
her first visit to u national guard en-
campment and had voted it the Jolliest
affair imaginable.
"EycrythngS so knowing and swag-
ger" communed the girl with herself
rs she lay in her cot the morning after
her arrival. The officers all talk so
hcrculy TO the others when they're
marching, They say Port arms" in
a regular 'Tremble, villain, tone. And
some of those common soldiers are nice
looking too"
Fearing to miss something of the pic
tureSque camp routine she arose and
dressed noiselessly. Her parents were
still sleeping.
The sun was just rising over the hills
TO the right as she stepped to the tent
opening. In front of her, his back
turned, sentry stood at right shoul-
der, looking down at the canvas city.
Some distance to the left, at brigade
headquarters, Il group of men in khaki
clustered about the fieldpiece and the
tall flagstaff \ trumpeter stepped out
from among them. The sun glinted on
his instrument as he raised it to his
lips Then sharp and true, little mel
lowed by the distance, came the roll
licking notes of the reveille. Il can't
get 'em up! | can't get 'em up" called
the bugle merrily.
The group about the gun fell into or
derly lines. \ huge puff of smoke
cleaned like silver as it swept across
the grass Boom. While the echoes
were still resounding over the lake the
regimental band struck up Il Quickstep.
The gun crew uncovered reverently, the
stars and stripes slowly mounted the
staff and another day Of camp life had
begun.
This little tableau over the girls
eyes turned to the sentry In front Of
her with good deal Of approval in
their depths. His shoulders were
broad. his campaign hat had the angle
Of true soldier, ana the back flung
cape of his overcOat reminded the colo
nel's daughter of a picture of Paul Re
we're. Stealing through the dewy grass
until she was scarcely a yard away,
she said softly, Good morning, Mr..
Soldier"
The sentry turned so quickly that he
nearly dropped his gun. Grace he
cried ecstatically. The tone of his voice
and the light in his eyes caused the
girl to recoil step while she blushed
adorably.
Just one little kiss, sweetheart"
went on the young man. He had not
forgotten his drill regulations in the
presence of this most distracting bit of
femininity His rifle was at port" as
the book says it shall be when the sen
try is holding conversation with anoth.
er person
why, Tom the very idea" came the
saucy answer Right here on this hill
top In plain sight! | don't believe |
would even under the tent fly" Still,
there was no suggestion Of panic in her
leisurely retreat.
But the sentry did not, as expected,
pursue her to the friendly fly. Il can't
leave this path" he gloOmed.
"Oh. indeed And Why?
| According to general orders I am
TO quit my post only when properly
| relieved" he quoted.
| The girl tossed her head and pursed
her tempting red lips. "All right Tom
Kennedy. If any old general is more to
| you than r.
There was thud of horses hoOfs up
the parade ground, and General Barry
rode up. He was commander Of the
Second brigade. and as he swung
gracefully from his horse he looked the
part thoroughly The general was
Young. handsome and unmarried. 1t
could be seen that officer and enlisted
man had one point in common. Both
loved the coloners daughter.
Good morning. Miss Grace. You're
up with the birds" Then to the sentry
who. having presented arms, started to
resume his beat, Hold my horse, or
derly.'
The sentry was an astute young man.
He knew that the general had OWNED
something from the manner Of the in
terrupted conversation. The request
was merely to humiliate him before
the girl. Yet his manner was respect
full, even meek as he came to port
arms again and replied, I'm not the
orderly. sir; I'm sentinel on this post
"Well, hold the horse, anyway"
"The regulations don't require me
to-" was the composed reply.
General Barry's anger arose as a
CLEAN of merriment kin6led In the
girls eyes Nevertheless l command
you to do It,"
The sentry apparently was deeply re-
gretful General orders say that l
shall receive. transmit and obey all or
ders from and allow myself to be re-
lleved by the commanding officer, the
officer Of the day, officers and noncom-
missioned officers of the guard only.
You're not any of those, sir."
"Indeedw was the sarcastic response,
And if you know your general orders
so we'll. how about the one which says
to hold conversation with no one ex-
cept in the proper discharge Of my
duty? Hold this horse or I'll put you
in the guardhouse"
The sentry's reply was to resume his
beat Almost bursting with rage, the
general took q step or two toward Ken
. nedy, but as the relief came plodding
up the hill he decided, a smile of tri
umph on his face, to await its arrival.
Corporal" he said sharply to the
noncommisSioned officer in charge
place that man under arrest"
The corporal saluted. why, sir|'
He was impudent, and he refused
TO hold my horse when asked"
d EFF he was disreSpectful you can pre-
fer charges. sir You're not of our brl
gade, arc g.! on, generalF
NO: but what of it,
Then you had no right to ask hin
to act as orderly General orders say