The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1913-05-15
Cun6re
By THOMAS B. CHEEVER

There was commotion at Fort Viii
uams. The commander was in a
towering rage. the officers were all
dreading something.
Gunfire In the morning was at sun
rise and In the evening at sunset.
Twice every day Sergeant jenkins. In
charge of morning and evening gun
fire, set the automatic electric appa
ratus connected with the clock Igov
eminent timeI so that a circuit would
be made by which the gun should be
fred by almanac time. Colonel Marti-
net was so exact In all things that he
was meditating the erection Of a small
astronomical observatory on the pa
rade In which the sun might be OBJ
sage across the meridian and the time
figured from the observation to the
fraction Of a second.
And now what had happened?
Though 1t was midwinter and the al
manac gave sunrise on that particular
.
the garrison was aroused at O'Clock
and II minutes. or three hours before
daylight by the morning gun.
Colonel Martinez. who had been
dreaming that he was commanding a
siege force and a mine had been ex
ploded under him and his men, blow
ing them sky high. leaped out OF bed.
glanced out through his window. saw
that there was not the slightest sign
Of dawn. looked at his watch. the
hour hand OF which stood at o'clock.
and exclaimed:
"Well. I'll be jinged!"
"What is it, dear?" asked his wife
with a yawn.
"What Is it2 Gunfire at O'Clock
and II minutes. The service is go
ing to the deuce. Why, never in all
my military life since | was a plebe at
the Point have ] known gunfire to be
minute late or early. Whoever is re
sponsibIe for this shall suffer for it."
"Well. you can't discipline him till
morning. You'd better get back into
bed and go to Sleep"
The colonel got back into bed, but
not to sleep. for the remainder of the
morning till o'clock he was conjurine
up punishments for Sergeant Jenkins
and when he arose had not found any
that the army regulations would per
NIT severe enough to meet the case.
At 9 o'clock exactly the colonel was
in his Office and his orderly was seen
by groups Of those who were waiting
for the outcome Of the terrible irregu-
larity to hurry toward the quarters OF
Sergeant Jenkins. The interest aroused
was not solely on account Of the gun
hsging been fred three hours ahead Of
time, but because Sergeant jenkins
was a favorite with both officers and
men. He wore FIVE service stripes on
his sleeve and a medal for bravery in a
fight with Indians and one with the
Spaniards in Cuba on his breast. He
was a few years older than his com
mander, who had not happened to
see any active service. When he en-
tered his commanders Office, stood at
attention and saluted he found there
several of the older officers Of the com
mand whom the colonel had summoned.
desiring to be borne out in any severe
punishment he might see f1t to inf1ict
on the sergeant
Sergeant Jenkins" said the colonel.
you will explain how the gun hap
pened to be fred this morning so far
ahead Of time"
81 didn't fire it, sir"
"Who did?'
Some one broke into the firing room.
sir"
Some one? What some one? Who
some onep
"As soon as l heard the gun l went
into the room, sir. It was very dark,
but saw this some one, whoever ii
was. moving away from the electric
key"
well? Go on"
HE got out before l could get him."
"Got out! Was a door or window
open?
Neither, sir. He was a little fell
low and came through small hole"
WAS he q soldier? You could sure
iy tell that by his uniform"
"He didn't belong to the cavalry,
sir. There was no yellow about him."
ANY red?'
mo. sir. He wasn't an artilleryman.
either"
"Then he must have been an infan-
tryman."
"Well, sir, it was so dark couldn't
see. but there was no lively color to
his coat But got him. sir"
Got him."
Eyes, sir. I set trap for him."
"Set a trap! Why, you didn't sup
pose he was fool enough to come back
after such breach Of discipline, did
your
'It was hunger, sir. I baited the
trap with something he liked. Then
I went to bed and fell asleep. In the
morning I found him In the trap"
Explain yourself, sergeant don't
understand you. Found whom In the
trapY
"A mouse"
There was silence for a few mo-
ments; then the corners Of the mouths