The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-01-09
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
What Was the Matter
With Colonel Prim
[Original.l

Plumer in his suit for the hand of the
coloners daughter Marian no one in
the garrison could find out Before the
captain evlnced such aspirations his
commander showed an especial par
tiallty for the young officer who was
the most popular man at the post.
The change can only be accounted for
in that distaste of father to giving
up his daughter to any man.
The colonel carried his antagonism
against the captain so far as to keep
his eye open for dereictions of duty
on the part Of his inferior. Did the
captain when called upon to report In
person at his commanders headquar-
ters do so with single button on his
uniform coat unbuttoned he was sure
to receive snarled reproof. Was
there a speck of dirt on any OF the
men composing the captains COM
pany on parade the colonel declared
the whole company a disgrace to the
service. Plumer soon saw the neces-
sity of constant watChfulness, but he
was very absentminded, and no care
was sufficient to head off the coloneps
reprimands. The whole garrison was
cognizant of this injustice, and since
all the world loves a lover, every one
sympathized with the captain.
One morning when Tlumer was Off
Ger of the day, Colonel Prim, looking
out of the window Of his quarters, saw
him crossing the parade without his
sword Raising the aOsh, ne ordered
his subordinate to come I'm. Fortu-
nately for the captain, IN o.Haer was
passing, ana plumc", borrowing his
sword hooked it TO his belt, then
mounted to his colonel, whom he sa-
iuted respectfully.
"Captain," growlcd prim, why in
He stopped short, his cycs fixed upon
the sword
"Captain" he continued in more
subdued tone 81 didn't like the np-
pearance of the men at guard mount
ing this morning Tell the sergeant
that If he marches guard on again
without every mans boots being black
ed I'll break him.
"Yes, colonel didn't 500 you at
guard mount"
II wasn't there, sir butt saw them
from my window"
This was said Shamc.lccaiy, for the
guards backs were turned to the colo
neps quarters.
The same afternoon the colonel again
saw the captain from his window pass
Ing over the parade and again without
his sword. He called the delinquent
officer to come up. Before his arrival
Mar,an came into the room.
"SIs," snapped her father "do you
see Captain Plumer comlngw
"Yes, papa"
Has he sword"
The girl was about to say no when
she remembered that for her lover to
be without a sword while on duty
would be delinquency and would in
cur reprimand. Then she wondered
why her father asked such question.
The result was prevaricatlon. She
looked up in feigned surprise.
whats the matter with your eyes,
papa?'
The colonel sank into chair. 81
knew IT. 1t isn't my eyes,' he moan
ed "I've had queer feelings in my
head lately. Something's going wrong
In my brain. saw Plumer awhile
ago crossing the parade. thought he
hadn't sword and called him up here.
He had his sword Now I see him
again, and he hasn't But he's coming
up. Not word Of this"
There was knock Mt the door, and
the captain entered A sword-borrow-
ed again-hung from bis belt
Captain" said his comm nder, you
may l called you up to say-that
there will be no dress parade this even
ing"
mel turned to his daughter and in a
faint voice said:
"Call my orderly. Sis. and send him
for Todd"
Todd was the post surgeon, and Miss
Prfm. instead Of calling the orderly,
went to Surgeon Todd's quarters and
told him the story about her fathers
sudden symptom.
Leave him to me-" said the doctor,
and, first completing his Uniform so as
to be presentablc TO his colonel, he
went to the latter's quarters.
Todd" said Pr;m lrgubrlously, I'm
going down hill fast" and he told the
doctor all the symptoms he had and
more besides
Colonel" said the surgeon after
asking a multitude of questions, "in
case this should turn out as l fear,
would you leave your family in CON-
Portable circumstances
you don't mean it?' gasped Prim.
"Is 1t as bad as that?"
ut would be no harm to put your
house in order"
II haven't cent In the world; pay
accounts discounted"
'It's pity Marian hasn't married"
Marry that puppy Plumerl She shall
starve first"
But the doctor was an old friend of
the coloneps and knew his folbles. The
result Of the interview was that the
colonel was Ordered to deDart the next