Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-09-24

By this time the colonel com frll,Iu-
ing the regiment, who had noticed the
excitement from a distance, appeared,
forcing gap for his passage through
the crowd with sharp words He. too
recognized Lanstron. After they had
shaken hands, the colonel scowled as
he heard the situation explained, with
the old sergeant, still holding fast to
Stranskys collar, a capable and in
sistent witness for the prosecution;
while Stransky, the fire in his eyes
dying to Goals, stared straight ahead
1t is only suggestion, of course
said Lanstron, speaking quite as a
spectator to avoid the least indication
OF interference with the colonel's au-
thority. but it seems possible that
Stransky has clothed his wrongs in a
garb that could never set we'll on his
nature if he tried to wear it in prac-
tee He is really an indiyidualist En-
ragged. he would fight we'll l should
like nothing better than a force Of
Stranskys if had to defend redoubt
in last stand"
Yes, he might fight" The colonel
looked hard at Stransky's rigid profile,
with its tight lips and chin as firm as
If cut out Of stone You never know
who will fight in the pinch, they say.
But that's speculation. It's the ex-
ample that have to deal with"
He is not Of the tnsidious, plotting
type. He spoke his mind openly" sug-
gested Lanstron. IF you give him the
limit OF the law, why, he becomes a
martyr to persecution. | should say
that his remarks might pass for bar
rack-room gassing."
Very WELL" said the colonel, taking
the shortest way out of the difficulty
we will excuse the first offense.'
yes, sir!" said the sergeant me-
chemically as he released his grip of
the offender. I'VE had two anarchists
in my company in Africa he observed
in loyal agreement with orders. They
fought like devils. The only trouble
was to keep them from shooting limo
cent natives for sport
Stransky's collar was still crumpled
on the nape of his neck. He remained
stock-still, staring down the bridge of
his nose. For full minute he did not
vouchsafe SO much as glance upward
over the change in his fortunes. Then
he looked around at Lanstron glover
ingly.
Il know who you are!" he said.
you were born in the purple. You
have had education, opportunity, posi-
tton-everything that you and your
kind want to keep for your kind. You
are smarter than the others. You
would hang a man with spider webs
instead of hemp. But l won't fight for
you! No, l won't!"
He threw back his head with a de-
termination in his defiance so intense
that it had a certain kind of dignity
that freed it of theatrical affectation.
yes, was fortunate; but perhaps
nature was not altogether unkind to
YOU" said Lanstron. "In Napoleonic
times. Stransky, l think you might
even have carried marsnal's baton in
your knapsack."
"You-what rot!" A sort of triumph
played around Stranskys full lips and
his jaw shot out challengingly. "No,
never against my comrades on the 9th
er side Of the border!" he concluded,
his logged stare returning.
Now the colonel gave the order to
fall in; the bugle sounded and the cen
tipede's legs began to assemble on the
road. But Stransky remained a statue,
his rife untouched on the sward. He
seemed of a mind to let the regiment
go on without him.
"Stransky, fall in" called the ser
geant.
Still Stransky did not move. A com
rade picked up the rife and fairly
thrust it into his hands.
Come on, Bert, and knead dough
with the rest of us!" he whispered
Come on! Cheer up!" Evidently his
comrades liked Stransky.
mol" roared Stransky, bringing the
rife down on the ground with heavy
blow.
ITO BE CONTINUED