The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-27

Sabers were "at home" to the wives and sweethearts of the troopers, and few very particular friends. After everybody had had a round of melon. the troop was formed and mounted drill exhibition was held. Roman and Cossack riding was featured, Lieutenant Riddle and Corporal Fraser starring. The entire troop went through several platoon and squad movements and then took a hurdle course In column of twos.
 A squad was picked for saber drill and after several general charges, took the hurdle. Tn column of fours at the position of guard. After the general exhibition the Roman and Cossacks riding took place. Lleuten- ant Riddle took ditch while stand ing erect, a very difficult thing to do under favorable conditions, and rendered more so in this instance on account of the untrained horses.
 A group of boys ranging from IS inches to five feet in height and glrthed in proportion, with the ex ception of one, had been hanging on the fence watching the proceedings. There must have been 25 of them, all residents of East Birmingham. One of them slipped in and got mixed up with a melon almost as big as he was and succeeded in breaking 1t. The other boys by this time had struggled in, and had ganged around. The ser geant in charge of the melons sent the late-comers outside the fence un- til the boy who had broken the melon had stool trial. The verdict was guilty, and the penalty that he should pay for the melon or eat it. "Fine," saya Fatty. t'I'II eat if ="
 And eat 1t he did, every bit of it.. When the other fellows saw how things were going they all wanted a share in the guilt and punishment. They were called in, and several ex. tra melons cut for their benefit. When they had eaten all they could dispose of they brought cart and took the rinds away. The entire party then repaired to the troop street. and two of the little fellows evinced a desire to fight. Gloves 1t, hammer and tongs, forthwith. Two or three pretty spirited bouts were pulled off, of two rounds each. By the time course of "Frostbites" was served 1t was time to quit for the night, and in a few minutes quiet reigned In camp.
 Two troopers turned out mustaches for the occasion, and when the party broke up, it was noticed that two girls were wearing facial decorations of the same kind, but they had not been applied with care, and had rubbed off in a smeary manner. No one ever found out how the lamp black became transmitted in such a peculiar manner. and the principals had nothing to say on the subject. "Verra, verra strange" as Krazy Kat would say.
 Lieutenant McCray was on hand, and 1t was the first time he had been out of doors since his injury almost month ago. It looked like old times to see him even if he was using crutches, and the troop will be mighty glad when he can get back on duty.
 Through the low bushes and scat tered trees could be seen a line of stooping figures. Bob bing up and down, concealed at times, exercising every caution to keep out of sight, they wound an cratic course through the wildwood. What can these strange antics and figures signify? Now they are out of sight now they have executed a serpentine and are coming back.
 Ye godsl Look at those horsemen playing leap frog. Honest to good ness leap frogi In and out. up and down in regular time, in cadence with the intoned count from each stopping man, the line wound like huge worm from shadow to shadow.
 It was after recall after monot- onous afternoon spent In sighting drill; nerves on edge from the strain, and a game of competitive leap frog was not only relaxing. but amusing as well. Themen divided equally, and each jump that was missed, each pebble. counted the man making 1t out. The losing side was to furnish transportation, via back. for the winners. It was too early to go In when the game was finished so some- one suggested what we used to call a towel chese, because the weapon used was hig husky bath towel with a knot in 1t. You know how it's done. You form a circle and somebody starts around with the towel, and gives it to somebody else. The one receiving 1t proceeds to lambast his neighbor with great eclat. Instea.. of towel a web belt was used, which made 1t more interesting-and effec- tive. After a few rounds the pack troopers were brought up, all equip ment plus a man was loaded on board, and the real fun commenced. Sergeant Ott is built very close to the ground. and upon Sergeant Ott did Sergeant Trumbo fix his wistful and compelling eye. Not only did he fix his eye. but his bulk as well, and Sergeant Trumbo is not a penny weight. Did Sergeant Ott waver? Did he hestitate to move out with his burden? To his credit let us say that he was as firm on his feet as a willow. to his credit let us say that he dug in with all his feet and moved out with all the strength and grace of well trained pack elephant. He went over two two-foot. six-inch hurdles like swallow at mating time. He hurdled three-foot ditch with the grace and aplomb of gazelle. He strengthened out on the home stretch across the parade ground and broke into a cow-pony lope that was the pride and envy of every man-mounted trooper in the outfit. His blunt, shapely legs were working like the rods on locomo- tive, and his field shoes were slap slap skipping on the hard ground like the reports from single cylinder. single-cycle gasoline engine.
 While we have been praising the steed We have forgotten the rider. He was draped gracefully around the