The Washington times., 1914-02-07
T|N|EST CADET IS
A MODEL SOLDIER
Charles Edward Leasure Car
ries Gun One Sixth of His
Weight and Never FaIters.

Charles Edward Leasure, aged four.
teen, weight seventy-two pounds. height
four feet seven inches, is Washington
smallest soldier.
Leasure is No. 4. rear rank. SQUAD 6
second platoon, Company H, Western
High School.
Outside OF all that he is as wide.
awake cadet as ever ''toted" a twelve.
pound gun.
Figure for an instant how II would
feel to carry one-siXth of your weight
for two hours, twice a week. through
a gTueling drill In warm weather?
1amsine yourself encased in tight
fitting jacket, standing at attention for
nearly an hour in the middle of the
White Lot Elipse, with the May sun
beating down on you during a regi-
mental drill?
Just think how It would weary you
to carry that twelve pounds Of wood
and steel through six miles of streets
on parade? That's what yeung Leasure
does, or will do this spring. And if you
Will listen to any OF the members of
Company Fl. or care to keep an eve on
the tiny rear rank man, you will find
that ne is there-forty ways, as they
say.
High Private In Rear Rank,
Young Leasure is high private in the
rear rank, or buck" private, as they
call it. For all of his seyenty-two
pounds, he is able to execute every or
der in the trying manual of arms. His
ability to snap his twelve-pound gun 10
shoulder arms would 90 credit 10
many of his larger and stronger COM
rades. He is looked upon as p model
soldier at Western.
According to Second Lieutenant Ed
ward Stead, who is directly over Cadet
Leasure. IN more than one sense, the
youngster has the making of a good
soldier. Stead, who is the son of Robert
stead, OF 123O Seventeenth street north
west, is one of the tallest Of the cadet
officers, standing a trife over slx feet
Two hches, and presents a striking ap-
pearance In contrast with the l.ttlest
soldier.
Cadet Leasure has already made his
mark in the cadet company. In this,
his first year at Western. he succeeded
in winning second place IN an Individual
competitive driIl' In the manual OF arms.
beating out mGny OF his mates.
Capt. Chase Donaldson, OF COMPANY
II, has nothing but words of praise for
Leasure. He Is one of the best drillers
In the company" says Donaldson, ''an1
IS getting good rating right along.
HIS size is nothing against him and he
can 20 through two hours of drth with
the best OF them"
Regard Him As Mascot.
At Western they regard Leasure as
the mascot of Company H.
In 1s07 Capt. William Bland command
ed Company II At the annual CONNIE
ttuve drill that year the regimental ad-
gutant after receiving the decision of the
BOARD or military judges stopped in
front OF Captain Bland's company, and
ordered 1t to report to the colonel OF
tne regiment to receive the flag EN-
Dlematlc OF having won the drill.
western has not won a competitive
uf!ll since 1877, and Leasure Is looked
upon as the real Eood-luck youngster,
Ibis energy and enthusiasm are nm
bounded. Plucky and full OF life he Is
a regular boy In his studies he ranks
ABOVE the average, and is showing i'm
provement "
Leasure asks no favors, no haIts for
rest wants nothing more than the other
Fellow Is getting. and figures he has
an even break, in getting toward the
goal OF all high school cadets the can
tdincy and command Of q company in
mis- fourth year for chance at the flag
and the Allison-Nailer medal with the
red ribbons for members of his com
mand
Leasure is the son of George A. Ieas-
ure. of 1917 \ street northwest He is
the second child. and. despite his small
stature, Is perfectly prOportioned and
considerably more agile and stronger
than most boys OF his age.
Lieutenant Stead and Ieasure fell
out OF ranks for moment to let The
Times photographer get their pictures.
For the paper?" Queried Leasure.
standing at attention. Right, 20 to