The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-05-17

guard, who, after a brief interview,
conducted him to the house constitut-
Ing the barracks. The commandant
was sitting in a by 8 room before a
table. on which were papers. Ferguson
said:
Il received a telegram this morning
from the department headquarters or
dering me to inspect this post and rem
der any information or assistance you
might need. am Lieutenant Charles
Ferguson Of the -th cavalry"
Il am very glad to see you, lleuten-
ant" replied the officer Had you an
nounced your coming or even appeared
in uniform you would have been re-
ceiyed with military honors."
Unfortunately. l was visiting
friend when received the ORDER" re-
piled Ferguson, "and l never wear
uniform except when on duty. MY
baggage being hundred miles away,
| was obliged to report here In mufti,
with the exception Of this cap. which
use TOT auto driving"
The captain asked to see Ferguson's
order to inspect the post. He had sent
himself telegram to that effect while
on the mainland, and now pulled 1t out
and handed 1t to the officer. Whether
or not she was satisfied, she appeared
to be so and, leading Ferguson out OH
to the parade, gave an order to turn out
the company for inspection. The com.
mand was drawn up in line, the rear
rank marched three PAGES to the rear,
and the Inspector. In company with the
captain. walked along both ranks,
each soldier handing him her gun for
inspection. Ferguson had seen IN in.
spection, SO he cooked every piece and
now and then wiped the metal with
his white cambric handkerchief. When
the inspection was over he returned to
the captains office, and the latter began
to ply him with questions.
"We are weaker she said, in the
matter Of guard duty than anything
else. l should like to have you mount
a guard and instruct us upon the
duties Of the sentinel"
"The guard" replied Ferguson, .is
mounted at any hour Of the morning
that the commandant directs. Tomor-
row morning will be happy to per
form the ceremony for you"
Ferguson did not propose to be on
the island the next morning unless In
his true character. He couldn't mount
a guard for potato patch.
"Who mounts the guard7" asked the
captain.
''rhc officer Of the guard"
(which guard-the old or the new r.
"The new guard" hazarded Ferguson
Now. Captain Mabel Hetherington
knew that the guard is under the or
der Of the officer of the day. Further
more she knew that there is no officer
Of the guard. waich is in command Of
sergeant But she said nothing. Fer.
guson would have preferred that she
would say something rather than wear
the look which appeared upon her face
However. this look soon passed from
her face, and, rising, she said:
Now that we have had some Of your
instruction, lieutenant, propose that
VIC should relax from military formal
ity. aud ! shall be happy to introduce
you to my officers. and II your ideas
of the distance between officer and pri.
vate are not too rigid will introduce
YOU to some of the latter. Please wait
here while announce the introduc-
ton You must remember that though
soldiers we are still women. and wO.
man always desires to make herself
presentablc when about to be pre-
sented."
Leaving the room, she soon returned
| With her lieutenants and several pri
| Yates. After little conversation one
by one the soldiers retired, except q
| lovely girl with eyes like summer
sky, who, when the others We're gone
brought them to bear on Ferguson in q
way that made him doubtful whether
he was on earth or in heaven.
But presently this happiness was
brought to an abrupt and humiliating
end. The captain returned with ser
geant and dozen privates, whom she
halted in the hall. six beyond the dool
/ and six iii rear OF 1t. The captain ad
vanced to Ferguson with the dignity o.
| a soldier and said:
Lieutenant, I'll trouble you to TAX,
position there" pointing to the inter
val.
i Ferguson's face fell He knew tha
he had given away his ignorance o
military matters and was about to b.
elected from the post as an impostor
A sergeant placed feather over eacl
ear, and drum and fife corps strucl
up the rogues' march. The order "For
ward!' was given. and. the captain
marching beside him. Ferguson wa
escorted to the dock. There the cap
tain asked him IL he could swim. FL
admitted that he could.
The Eveline had sailed boldly up t
a position near the dock. cast anchor
and her crew were waiting the resul
of Fersuson's maneuver. When the
saw him coming with a feather benin
each ear to the well known tune of til
rogues' march the sight was too muc
for their gravity. II the captain ha
any doubt as to Ferguson being an In
rostor it was removed by the shout Q
merriment which greeted him from th
deck of the Eveline.
He was marched to the edge Of til
dock. his escort took position benin
him with fixed bayoncts. and he wa
proilded to jump. He was glad enoug
to take to the water and as soon as
came up from his dive wrenched th
feathers from his ears and threw thel
. away Amid the jeers of the soldier