Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-03-27
he uncle. a mighty automobile king.
through whose influence he had OBJ

~
through whose influence he had OBJ
tanned his commission. So far he had
not awaited himself of his privileges
too often and had therefore not as
yet outworn his welcome. for he was
q true diplomat. He entered this eve
ming with just the right shade OF deli
cate assurance and humble affrontery
to assure him a cordial welcome, and
gracefully settled himself into the
to. him. He was versed in all h
ways OF the world and wnen he chose
could put up a good appearance. He
knew that for the sake Of his IA
theirs family and more especially be-
cause of his uncle's high standing.
this great official whom he was call
ing upon was bound to be nice to him
for a time. Sc he bided his In till
a few other officials had left and his
turn came.
The talk was all personal, a few
words about his relatives and then
questions about himself, his commits
were going with him. Mere form
and courtesy, but he knew how to use
the conversation o his W ends:
'Oh, Tn getting along fine and
dandy" he declared etrusively, I'm
just crazy about camp! I like the
life! But I'll tell you what makes me
tired. It's these little common guys
running around fussing about their
jobs and trying to get a lot Of pull to
get into some other place. Now
there's an instance of that in our
company, a nan from my home
town, no account whatever and never
was, but he's got it in his head that
he's a square peg in a round hole and
he wants to be transferred. He
shouts about 1t from morning till
night trying to get everybody to help
him, and at last I understand he's
hoodwinked one captain into think
ing he's the salt Of the earth. and
they are plotting together to get him
transferred. J happened to overhear
them talking about it just now. how
they are going to this one and that
one in Washington to get things fixed
the right dope on things all right and
it's going through for him to get his
transfer. 1t makes me. sick. He's no
more At for a commission than my
dog, not as/ft; for he could at least
obey orders. This fellow never did
anything but what he pleased. I've
known him since we were kids and
never liked him. But he has a way
with him that gets people till they
uA4OGL SIdtIA 4AAlA1s 1l6 wv OaO WACu
the country needs real men to do
their duty hat a fellow like that can
get commission when he is utterly
inefficient besides being a regular
breeder Of trouble. But, of course,
I can't tell anybody what / know
about him."
II guess you needn't worry, Vain
wright. They can't make any trans
fers without sending them up to me,
and you may be good and sure I'm
not transferring anybody just now
without a good reason. no matter who
is asking it. He's in your company.
is he? And where does he ask to be
transferred? Just give me his name.
I'll make a note of, it. If 1t. ever
comes up I'll know how to finish, him
pretty suddenly. Though. L doubt If
it does. People are not pulling wires
just now This is war and everything
means business. However. If. I find
there has been wire-pulling 1 shall
know how to deal with 1t summarily.
It's, a court-martial o~ffense, you
know"
They passed on to other topics, and
Wainwright with his little eyes
cleaning triumphantly soon took
ing that he had done fifteen minutes
good work. and not wishing to outdC
it. He strolled ~contentedly back tt
officers quarters wearing "a more
complacent look on his heavy fea.
lures. He would teach John Gamer
on to ignore him!
Meantime John Cameron with hi.
bead among the stars walked thu
dusty camp streets and forgot the ex
istence of Lieutenant Wainwright. A
glow of gratitude had flooded his sou
at sight Of his beloved captain, whom
he hoped soon to be able to call hi.
captain. Unconsciously he walked
with more self-respect as the word;
LOT confidence n trust rang ovcl
again in his ears. Unconsciously tn,
little matters of personal enmity be
came smaller, Of less Importance, be
side the greater things Of life i.
which he hoped soon to have a rea
part. II he got this transfer it. mean
la chance to work with a great maj
in a great way that would not onl,
help the war but would be Of, grea
value to him in this world after tn,
war was over. 1t was good to hay,
the friendship of a man like that
fine. Clean strong. intellectual, kind
just, human, gentle as a, woman, We
stern against all who deviated from
the path of right.
The duskWas settling into evenin,
and twinkling lights gloomed gu
amid the misty, dust-laden air