The Tupelo journal., 1917-03-02
The Generals,
ORDERLY
-
A Story Of the
Pan European war !
Blu ALAN HINSDALE

t-N Al
Flanders, when the Germans were
making their onslaught upon the allies,
Hans Schrieber, who had been called
to the colors from his fathers farm
in Westphalia, had marched away as
q private and had through the killing
Off Of officers and his own bravery
been promoted to be captain, was one
morning ordered before the colonel of
his regiment.
Captain" said his commander, ut
has been reported to me that you have
been caught fraternizing with a pri-
vate soldier in your company. Posi-
bly, you may not know the customs
of the army in this respect. In the
army there can be no familiarity
whatever between an officer and a SOL
der. This war has necessitated the
promotion of many men from the
ranks, which is contrary to the spirit
of the military forces. and doubtless
there are officers who do not realize
the great gulf that lies between them
and their former companions. I have
sent for you to warn you that If you
are again caught converSing Familiarity
with Fritz Oelrich you will be court
martialed, and the punishment will he
severe"
But, colonel" the captain protested,
Private Oelrich is from the same To-
cality as l. He is very young and re-
quires a friend to cheer him, to pre-
vent his falling a victim to homesick-
ness, which will impair the value of
any soldier. 1 feel it to be my duty
"YOur duty is to obey orders. Go,
and do not again let me hear any more
of this breach of military discipline"
The colonel turned away from Cap
tain Schrieber, who saluted and went
back to his command. The very next
day the Germans made a drive in
which the captain again distinguished
himself. One of the field officers Of
his regiment was killed, and his colo
mel was about to recommend him for
promotion to be major when 1t was re-
ported that young Oelrich had been
slightly wounded and the captain, for
getting that his position was at the
head of his company, had carried the
private to the rear in his arms.
The colonel, as he considered this act
of %gallantry on the one hand and dere-
LECTION of duty on the other, knit his
brows. Had it not been for the neces-
sity Of supplying the gaps constantly
occurring among the officers he would
have made short work of Captain
Schrieber, Notwithstanding his eficien-
cy as a leader. AS it was, he felt CON-
PEELED to recommend his subordinate
for promotion. Indeed, he knew of no
other man that he could put in the
place Of the officer who had been killed
in whom he would have confidence.
The necessities of the service and
not a yielding to any tenderness he
might feel induced the colonel to ig-
more the report of S~chrieber's having
carried Fritz Oelrich off the field and to
give him a higher command than a sin
gle company.
Captain" he said to Schrieber, MA
jOr Heckler having been killed, you will
assume his position and the command
Of the companies that were intrusted
to his care. l shall only add that the
higher the rank of an officer the more
incumbent it is upon him to remember
the gap between him and the men Of
the ranks whom he commands. The
discipline of the army is of the highest
order. This cannot be attained or kept
up except by the officers being absolute
masters of the men,"
Captain-now Major-Schrieber sa-
luted, but said nothing and again left
his commander without that punish
ment which he knew except for neces-
sity would have been melted out to him.
A combination of bravery and tender
ness has always c%aptivated the world.
Major Schrieber the moment a fight
opened vas a lion the moment it end
ed he became a lamb. He went about
with the Red Cross workers succoring
the wounded and was never known to
prefer the case of a German to q
Frenchman. 1t was this that led his
cOmrade officers into a tacit unacknowl-
edged agreement to turf the other way
whenever the majors sympathetic ma
ture Overcame his sense Of duty and he
went beyond the limits in expressing
that sympathy to a common soldier.
In the case of Fritz Oelrich he new
er offended openly. Toward Fritz,
when others were there to see, he main
tanned an unapproachable dignity. But
unfortunately he had been surprised
speaking earnestly to the boy, and on
one occasion had taken Fritz's hand in
his while speaking words of encourage
ment and comfort. He did not know
how often he had been seer in such
position, for those who saw him kept
the secret.
There was fighting all this time, and
Schrieber's efficiency as a leader was
constantly being demonstrated. On a
reorganization of a certain force that
had been very much depleted he was
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