Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-09-17
AN ARMY EPISODE
Bv HAROLD OTIS.

ThoreA a true army Cir. regarding the army her home, she was
not averSe . enjoying a round Of balls and parties in the city, but the
idea Of marrying our Of the circle in which she had been born never
entered her head.
Civilians were we'll enough to dance with, but no man except a
soldier need apply for her hand.
Among the youths with whom Miss steptoe hirted mildly was one
whose collar was higher and whose manners were more pronounced
than any Of the rest.
man in society.
This was certainly rot indicated BY his name, which was Petty
pace. He was the son Of a wealthy merchant who seemed to supply
him with plenty Of money to throw away.
Among those who presented themselves for what lis steptoe CON
Sdered "a good time none seemed to fill the conditions o well as Jack
Petcvpace. and just before the close of the season, when she was about
to start for the tort. Nh. Peevpace completed what she considered "a
good time" BY proposing marriage.
/ am sorry You have 50 misunderstood me, she said in reply.
Il an an army girl and DO not expect TO marry unless in the army"
What One Of those SLOW going fellows made to toe the mark
like schoolbovsI"
The army is the home u many brave and dazhing nnen." was the
brsclng reilly.
I think II Try il myself"
Miss Sceccoe laughed.
Tn sa;as i ea:=7 in the corps under your fathers command
And have cA-ee ears Of drudgerv. Talk about the officers being
~seh0olbav-. II the ranks You'll be prisoner in comparison"
I'll don, Ike II. I'll leave"
Aga. MS Sce7coe sare ver- 70 her sIverv laugh.
o.. I45@7 care rap t- vour army fellows. Tn ra;ro 80 er-s-
and when / want L get or q their tolls II have / difficulty in a*r:
Nns. s-ersoe lau=a:ngl.v told Mr.. Peervpace that i he would sa..
in tie array and e. oc1 q i without deserving. buying lis discharge
Or using Utica influence, se would accept him for a hus5as... Il.
limited A"a = -~o weeks = accomplish the feat.
Ms >~.e had scarcelv reached her fathers Quarter. :.
heard 9e women gosseing about a recruit who had presented him.
tor enlistment dressed in tie height q fashion and ev;lenrlv : se..-
man.
Many causes ~srs suggested Tor his having entered the rank.
from a ds~: -a"4sa. in love 70 cheating al cards
The r>t morning she vas startled al seeing Jack Pe5cvpace wax
Ing psf bet r. her fathers quarters. He did not recognize Ter. AMI
she had 4=ael % keep his secret.
y lev GAYS later sAe heard it stated among the officers wives that
rAe eaa..~naaa.v private had gone insane and had been 1us il a
s5Tal11@@N@'. ---@ is { true version OF how it happened:
One morning after a horseback ride one Of the bachelor o4aces
entered hs quarters = I'D the sentinel who had been on guard before
his door staining al tie end q his suit of rooms pointing his gun
directly 81 his s27er:3rs t-east. The senrinels ewes we're Wild. and
he vas nnuue-4s i4e3hsrearlv. As soon as his gaze struck the of8ce,
be ordered hin : Aa- am stand at attention. Tie officer lost no 7ra
il otev;2s t4e orle~.
"NurinT' Nac:nr, Nuanv::" shreked the private. DO YOU
come { your generals quarters . XII him. Turn out the guardf
DeatA 70 traitors. N0u.G Won asSass:nate the car!
While =rag these .2c0Aere-: sentences the lunatic was cooking
ana unlocking As piece, pointing i at tie officers breast. laughing
Historically ar nu-re-@g = himself.
The nuaneers ae coming" Il howled. "Thev,re going :,
murder their sovereign : sal X! every mothers son Of them. and
''n ~ title : ne 7ar9ne VI be re-:e@:.~
"Gsner@l-Toar majesty. | mean. s35 the oacer. shall l call a
force 10 protect v0uI
Send tie Swiss guard"
In another Minute the o5acer vas at he telephone. ealing 10 the
sersean! q tie guard 70 bring a dozen men viii loaded guns - arrest,
az enlisted nan who a25 gone insane and was 59v.i1g i 7ha oss..r.
quarters.
Meanwhile the lunaae vas taking a bracer from II. .,
s'1509ard . keep hin up % bis work. AID when the guar.
ae Ia porposelT parted With lis nusset.
But ne struggled ane screamed as Is vas hurried Il -
house and thence . a room IN TIE assp=a.. where lie Wa
himself.
The iasans mans father vas communicated with.
discharge "a made ou:, and he vas ssa1 under arar :..
sa-;,a-iun. "'~'e
oe II ming Jack PsszF@ce, armed with his dizehar-- g.oers.
Vz.,s- r. ,.&-7= and ~4-zsd s1ra4ga. . tie coLoners quarter. If,
ara. + z sensation a ne Pc, among tie officers. their .ami;e,
an lie e. >-4t taen. 60 Utilities
I eliminated Then Mrs. S.es.o= announced ,hs