Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-25

d
Everythings going plumb to the bad here now!"
But it would never be the Colonel who shouted for
Hans to bring tray. For all of him, the Major could
go trayless forever
XIHAT threatened to be the termination of all inter-
w course between the two old blades came at last
when it time for the election OF post COM
mander. No ever knew quite how 1t started; but
the Major whose turn it was to become sheridan head
officer absent for several weeks visiting his daugh
ter in Florida and circulated that he had said
he did for the place of honor tor the coming
term. journey to Florida portentous event tor
the Major. So wonderful, SO unusual SO venuresome,
this trip that he prolonged his stay for nearly two
months. There those wicked enough to suggest
that he getting DID, and that it was for the benefit
OF his heath two reasons which the MAJOR had ne been
present, would have bitterly resented. The rumor
grew, do most of them, from statement, to be ac-
cepted undsputed fact, because the Major was
not there to deny it, for the first time in many years,
Colonel Horton elected to succeed himself as the
proud head of Sheridan Post.
1t was nearly three weeks later when the dninutve
form of Major Sherwood hmped the threshold OF
the house that he had come to regard home his cane
striking vigorous stroke on the stone, and sttfiy
climbed the stairs He hung his soft SLOUGH hat on his
hook-for no one in Sheridan Club ever thought of
using another mans to the pier glass and
smoothed out his white musache and goatee erked his
coat down his shoulders buttoned it tightly and
walked in with of victory. He had taken 1T for
granted that he was now the post commander, and
thereby, automatically president of Sheridan Club
There would be ashtrays the tables constantly and
other needed reforms which shat old smpleton Hor
ton had neglected
The club was unusually well filled Indeed, it seemed
crowded. There were at least ten men present, and
Hans and his assistant in fever OF work Every
thing looked the crossed battleags over the
door, with Elsworths the most conspicuous Maloneys
buge shining the stems and mugs engraved Or painted
with names of soldiers long Dead the saddle OF the
famous General who fell from it at Chickamauga, the
unexploded Confederate shell from Fort Sumter and
all that other collection of priced relics. The very to-
bacco smoke seemed to wreahe itself in the same homely
garlands round the blackened rafters Nothing was
changed the Major entered beaming and glad to be
and seized his crutch and fastened to give him greeting
"Why, Maori he exclaimed. mighty glad
to see you back Mighty glad! When
heard that you weren't going to let us eectyou as
commander again. we were all afraid you were
i'll, or that something had happened to you."
He ended lamely and stopped; for sudden
white, blanched look had pervaded the Majors
smiling face.
when you heard-when you heard-saythat
again. won't you?' faltered the Major.
Other men hobbed forward to greet him,
and the Corporal was spared the trouble of ex-
why, we understood said Sergeant Barnes
adjusting his glasses so they might take tirmer
hold on his high, thin nose that you didn't want
to accept the con1mandership for another term
So we again elected the Colonel We We're.
what! Reelected Horton? You made him ~
commander of Sherdan-to succeed himself?'
The Major glared at his comrades and there
awkward silence.
"Ahem!' coughed Hans, standing in the
and cranking his neck forward and putting
discreet hand to his mouth.
"Ihen-then- spluttered the MAJOR, 1t
means either of two things, Gentlemen
that Horton some OF his followers played a
scurvy political trick, that Sheridan Post,
No. 80, Grand Army of the Republic, no longer
wanted Major John Sherwood! bid you good
day and goodby!'
HIS big, resonant voice doomed out the words
- as an utimatum. He sauted stifly, about
faced" and walked to the cloakroom. Before
the others could recover from their surprise he
descending the creakng stairs. They rushed
after him, as fast it possible for of
their ages and nfirnities to permit, and the