The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1914-09-10
THE NEW
CAPTAIN
By NJ. QUAD
Copyright, 1914. by Associated LAT.
erary Press.


ed, blue eyed man. who lacked rugged
ness and sternness. The rough ani
rugged men looked the new captain
over and said to each other:
Bah! He's no fighter. They've sem
US a man who hasn't the heart to Kill
a sheep!'
Later on, when Company H had been
out on the picket lines and had SHARP
skirmish with the enemy. there was
strange talk among the men.
do you know" whispered the order.
ly sergeant to the first corporal, that
they gave US cussed coward for q
captain?"
Hush. hush!' replied the corporal.
II won't hush. l was watching him
in that little scrimmage. and he was as
white as sheet and trembling like a
leaf"
Next day the captain sent for the or
derby sergeant, and the latter had a
strong suspicion, but he was greeted
quietly and pleasantly, and the captain
asked few questions before saying:
$50, sergeant, you think I'm cow
ard and should be forced to resign?"
Sergeant Clay was bluff, blunt
man. The captain had asked him d.
rect question. and, throwing military
etiquette to the dogs. he answered.:
"You didn't make no record to be
proud Of out there the other day!'
Il was very nervous" slowly admit
ted the captain after long pause.
1T was my first time under fire. I
wasn't afraid Of being killed, that l can
remember, but the excitement upset
me- Suppose you and the boys wait a
bit before you send me a request to
resign. l don't know myself yet, and
you can't fairly call me failure until
we have another turn at 1t. If my
nerves fail me in the next crisis you
won't have to demand my resignation.
Are you willing to waltz"
Captain" the sergeant whispered as
a feeling Of awe came to him, 1T amt
for you to ask this or that Of us. It's
for me to say that there'll be no more
talk among the boys and that in our
next fight you'll make record to be
proud of"
1t had been man to man instead of
captain to sergeant, and it was still SO
when their hands were extended and
clasped.
"Well?' queried half dozen ser
geants and corporals as the orderly re-
turned to bis quarters.
well. you hear me now!" replied
the man as he looked from one to the
other. We've done lot of talking
with our mouths. From this time on
till we've seen our captain prance
about in another scrimmage we are
going to shet right up. The chap as
does any blowing won't be no friend Of
NINE"
A week later began the campaign
which ended in the battle Of Antietam.
Joe" Hooker was leading
the division to which the Third bri-
gade and the Tenth volunteers belong
ed. and as Company H pressed for.
ward the second sergeant muttered to
the orderly:
"How's 1how's things goin' to be at
the head 81 the company?'
NOW. don't you worry the shirt of
your back before it's time, Joe Hope!
I'm going to wait and see, and the rest
of you have got to do the same. Durn
a man who won't give another man
fair showw
As the Tenth regiment got the word
the captain Of Company H passed swift
~ before his line. In the ghostly light
he seemed taller by foot. The men
who peered at him saw that his Jaws
were firm and set and his eyes blazing.
HE means fight!" whispered the first
corporal.
"Say. he'll lead US into hades and
back!" muttered the second sergeant.
Forward, guide left. moved the
Tenth. and the front line had scarcely
brushed the wet of the cornstalks
when they met with volley. 1t was
50 close and deadly that there was con-
fusion. The center broke back, the
tanks halted, and order and discipline
were lost.
Attention, Company II! By the right
flank-march! On the left into line!
Forward-tlouble quick-charge bayo-
nets!" ,..
II was the voice Of the new captain.
and. like clockwork. the men who were
tumbling over each other fell into line
and plowed their way out of the hurry
burIy. As they cleared the mob their
muskets came down to the charge, and.
with shouts and cheers. they drove
through q line Of battle and sent a
thousand men scurrying away through
the mists. AS they stood painting. with
I dead and wounded under their feet,
the other companies came marching up
to Join them and to hold the position
Then the sun blazed up over the hills
and devoured the mist at gulp. and
every living man in Company b turn
ed to look at bis captain. His face was
a. white as q dead mans. but thert
was a grim smile Of triumph over It
and the exultation Of battle was max
ing his blue eyes shine like stars
well, III be cussed!' whispered thl