The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-01-18
A Faculty for Detail


ton 70 detail 10 certainly a good trait
In a commander, but where be permits
his attentions to interfere with system
and the good work of his subordlnates
he makes trouble for them and him
self. Colonel Murdoch antagonized
them. II his quartermaster bought a
lot Of blankets he was sure 10 learn
sooner or later that his commander
knew more about blankets than the
manufacturer II the c0mmissary
bought coffee the colonel would drink
q cup Of II and was sure TO find some
thing the matter with IT, Besides, no
one could tell when he would Inspect
the mems mess and, tasting the food.
condemn every article on the table.
One day while Theodore Drake, cap
tain and cOmmlssary, was quietly
smoking his after dinner cigar the
coloners orderly appeared with per.
emptory order for him 10 report in
person Immediately at the mess Of the
enlisted men.
whats he got on TO nowT' NUT
tered Drake, snatching up his sword
and buckling II on as he hurried away
to the mess. II wish to heaven he'd
buy something himself and get sold on
spoiled meat"
The commissary found his colonel In
q high state Of military severity.
Captain Drake, what do you mean
by feeding my men such stun as this ?"
He held a plate OF pudding In his
hand, which he was tasting and smell.
Ing and grinding in his fingers.
cts made ~ as good meal as
could find, colonel" replied the captain.
biting bis llp to prevent adding. you
old fOol"
"Meali DO you mean TO tell me that
buildings made Of meal? More likely
from the refuse OF some dIstIllery.
Why don't yon give 'em an india rub
Der pudding and be done with III"
"Perhaps the cook
'"The cooks all right I'VE eaten his
cooking at my own mess often. It's
the material I'll prove what say by
sending him barrel OF meal Of my
own selection, Have pudding made
Of II for tomorrow's dinner. I'll be
here to inspect It."
With that the colonel turned on his
heel and went away. congratulatlng
himself that he had won the hearts OF
his men by showing zeal in their in
terest. The unmllItary part he had
played In bringing discredlt on an ofl-
Ger did not especially trouble him.
The next day he allowed thirty min.
utes after dinner call. then strutted
across the parade to the mems mess.
Drake was there. The pudding was
being served Those who had their
pudding before them sat silent but
with frown on each face Those who
were being served tasted the dish, took
but one mouthful. which they elected
on their plates then sat In an ominous
silence like the others. Soon after
their commander entered each and
every man sat with a plate OF pudding
before him. which he left untouched.
The colonel was astonished.
"Glve me plate OF itr' be ordered.
A plate OF pudding was handed him.
He took large spoonful and. like the
men, Immediately elected H.
What's thlsf' he cried to Drake.
Pudding made Of the material you
sent the cook, colonel" replied the COM
miasary respectfully.
Material sent the cookr' inquired
the aatonlshed commander.
"Yea. sir. A barrel Of meal was sent
by your order 70 the cook this morning.
He sent TO me 10 know what II had
been sent him for. I replied that you
had ordered that a pudding BE- made
OF II for the mems meas today. He
sent word back that he didn't think It
would do for pudding. to which re-
piled that In the army orders were to
be obeyed without question as well by
cooks as any one else"
The colonel stood with the plate In
his hand and puzzled expression on
his face.
"who brought the barely" he asked.
1.-THE post teamster,"
sseRd for him"
An orderly went for the teamster,
who reported hurrledly.
"Dld you haul the barrel you were
told to take from the shed In the rear
Of my quarters TO the cookl' asked the
colonel
ayes, SIR"
(which shelby"