Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-12-16
GENERAL BARRY
Versus
GENERAL ORDERS
A Contest In Which Cupid
Played a Part.
BY N. }. PHILLIPS.

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The colonePs daughter was paying
her FIRST visit to national guard ell
campment and had voted it the jolliest
affair imaginable.
"Everything's SO knowing and swag-
ger" communed the girl with herself
as she lay In her cot the morning after
her arrival. 1.-THE officers all talk so
fiercely to the others when they're
marchingl They say Port ar-rmsg In a
regular 'Tremble. villain tone. And
some of those common soldiers are
nice looking FOO"
Fearing to miss something of the
picturesque 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 shout.
der, looking down at the canvas city.
Some distance to the left. at brigade
headquarters, a group of men in khaki
clustered about the fieldpiece and the
tall Flagstaff. A trumpeter stepped out
from among them. The sun glinted on
his instrument as he raised 1t 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
orderly lines. A huge puff Of smoke
cleaned like silver as 1t swept across
the grass. Boom. While the echoes
were still resounding over the lake the
regimental band struck up qulckstep.
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 a good deal of approval in
their depths. His shoulders were broad.
his campaign hat had the angle of a
true soldier. and the back flung cape
of his overcoat reminded the coloners
daughter of picture of Paul Revere.
Stealing through the dewy grass until
she was scarcely yard away. she
said softly. Good morning. Mr.. Sol
der"
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 rife was at port" as
the book says 1t shall be when the SEN
try Is holding conversation with an
other 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. 81 can't
leave this path he gloomed.
! "Oh indeed. And whyT"
According to general orders l am
to quit my post only when properly
relieved" he quoted.
The girl tossed her head and pursed
her tempting red lips. IAN right. Tom
Kennedy: If any old general Is more to
you than -
There was n thud Of horses hoofs
up the parade ground. and General
Barry rodr up. He was commander
of the SECOND brigade. and as he
swung gracefully from his horse he
looked the part thoroughly. The gen
eral was young. handsome and unmar-
ried. II could be seen that officer and
enlisted man had Que point in common.
Both loved the colone's daughter.
"Good morning. Miss Grace. You're
up with the birds" Then to the SEN
try. who. having presented arms. start
ed to resume his beat. Hold my horse.
orderly"
The sentry was I'M astute young
man. He knew that the general had
OWNED something from the manner of
the interrupted conversation. The re-
quest was merely to humiliate him be-
fore the girl. Yet his manner was re-
spectful. even meek, as he came to port
arms again and replied. Pm not the
orderly. sir: I'm sentinel ON this post
''Weli. hold the horse, anyway"
'sThe regulations don't require me
to-" ives the composed reply.
General Barry's anger arose as "a
CLEAN of merriment kindled In the
girls eyes. Nevertheless 1 command
you to do It,"
The; sentry apparently was deeply
regretful. General orders say that l
shall receive. transmit and obey all
orders from and allow myself to be
relieved by the commanding officer. the
officer Of the day. officers and noncom-
officers OF the guard only.
You're not any of those. SIR
"Indeedw was the sarcastic response.
And II you know your general orders
10 well how about the one which says
to hold conversation with no one ex-
cept In the proper discharge of my
dutyY Hold this horse or I'll put you
In the guardhousev'
, The sentry's reply was to resume his
beat. Almost bursting, with rage. the
general took step or two toward Ken
nedy. but as the relief came plodding
up the hill he decided. u smile OF tri-
umph ON his face. to await its arrival
Corporal" he said sharply to the