The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-13
HVGH NOAN@ON

in it to you straight, major or You can search me, major, I don't know nuttin about it." and all the while pleading, with twdnkling eyes that betrayed him, a virtuous and agSrieved lnno- cence. The major fustered and funed and order. ed the oath to be reread, he apealed to the "sol- dierly sense of Private Barret, but all to avail. and he passed on to his own captain, a mild-mannered man who understood him-with- in Hmits-and wasted few efforts in futile Captain Solen Solenson of the Nth.
 The big and walked toward the witness. Before he asked question he leaned down and placed his face within six moment
 You think you're mighty wise. dent you. my fresh friend" The major frewned and pulled his mustache Mickeys Captain shufhed his feet uneasily and Mickey sripped his fists and did not answer.
 q know all sseut you Nene of your phony the eighteenth of April you went to Pacloban on pass. You the men como inte the town You talked with some of them and saw them drive the natives out of the houses. Then while the smrning proceeded you stayed and cheered it-stayed until the last house down. Now proceed-'
 During this recitation, Mfokeys face had grown tense, all the Irish in his eyes twinkled out, and there came a cold, hard glare that met his inquisiters gaze steadily.
 'H yeuse knows SC much about oe. why you jus' bull ahead an'-" Mickey stopped short. aghast at his own bsldness. for his words constituted ofense of impertilelcs almost unknown to the military system.
 The face of his intsrlocutor became con, terted in an agony of Hneament He stood crouched above the smaller man and struggled with bis mind for words At last his vsios came in tone that almost a shriek
 You the words trailed out now in flood of guttura1 abuse, black words that 90 shocked the gentlemen who heard them that they were for a moment at less. The major spoke first.
 '-That will do. think, Selenson- You have allowed this mans fmpertinence to rob you of your self-control. Private Barret, will give you note. with which ysu will report te the commanding officer"
 Mickey had been in that throne room before The announcement came like douche of cold water that returned to him his perspective of the things of his hedged-fn life and left him secure in all his ancient brazenness again.
 The colonel read the note slowly and sat for long time tapping his desk with his rim less eyeglasses. After an interminable time lto Mickey he looked up and cleared his throat
 ances against you you are a good-a pretty geod-soldier"
 In Miekeys answer. he was entirely deliber ate and malicious. He explained it sy aa inherent dislike of "con talk"
 "oh, knows dat, your honer."
 You know it, do you?" The colonel rose in his chair though some enc had lifted him by the hair. You know it, eh? You're the most insubordnate, undiscfplined hummer in this regiment. What ds you think this office fs.-a police court?"
 
 Don't your honor me again"
 T meant colonel didn't mean dat sir"
 'Very we'll. don't say it again Az l wa saving. you are pretty good. fairly good sol. dier; that Is. you have some good points. But sometimes you are a m ighty worthless soldier Just now you were Bowery bunmer Nothing could have pleased Mickey more The cockatoo crest auiyered. And when you went before board Of officers under oath and failed tc tell the truth you were down right scoundrel
 "Now. lot of soldiers went down to Pac1obau like a band of bowling red Indians-went into q peaceful native village in the dead of night and fired it in ten places so that it burned in an hour. depriving four hundred harmless. helpless people"
 "Dem aint helpless, homeless, people colonel. interrupted Mickey with scorn "dat was de worst gang of strong. arm men, knockout dreppers. short change artists. an" Ay
 Silence" reared the colonel, who was eeS working himself to a vengeful fury by his own recital helpless. say and H harmless, cast almost naked into the my regiment, sir, the Nth Cavalry s~' the c1eanest, decentest hardest fight. ing outfit in the Register. with the best . record-unti now-new it's reputation Is gone forever-and mine, sr-nine - and every chance of promotien I ever . hat-Wiped out in . single night by lot Of bummers spree."
 "7ou aave the power te right all this and to avoid half the sca1dal-under. stand, saanaal?"
 "surs do I. benf t4nss s& Psser an ais dem cd guys used |" w-s- ~~ ""'~ fooa=' v--'