Uncle Sam's Boys as Lieutenants; or, Serving Old Glory as Line Officers
rumbled Sergeant Noll Terry
served so actively for two years in the tropics," la
hot day," put in Sergea
e from the Philippines the very picture of health can't fee
orms of active army service in Uncle Sam's colonial possessions, the Philippine Islands. If they could end
r, that the nearer you go to the e
so?" challenge
ined Sergeant Hal. "But I'll stick to it, Mother, that the average of weather that we
youthful Sergeant
" replied Mrs. Overton, l
that there are very few spots in the actual tropics that seem so disagreeable as are
osed that, the further south one goes in summer, the hotter one
ter," Sergean
le there are many pleasant days in the tropics, particularly near the
dest thing we have to do here is to walk a short d
quickly. "I'd rather be doing anythi
ry when she addressed him so formally. "Don't you care anything about b
and kissed her. "But I don't believe you can gain a hundredth of an idea as to the suspense Noll and I
cond lieutenant, Hal," Noll broke in. "I only wis
s as second lieutenants," murmured Mrs. Overton. "You're both cer
is year fifty-nine young soldiers passed their final examinations, and there are on
ther's logic where her son is concerned. "All of you
us won't be,
he enlisted man who would rise from the ranks must first of all be sure that his military record is fine and clean, and that his reputation for coolness and bravery is firmly established. But this is only the beginning for the ambitious soldier in the ranks. He must study almost incessantly, for, when his t
been ordered home from the Philippines, that they might undergo their final examination for commissions. As they were "up" for commissions in the infantry arm of the service, these two youthful soldiers were sent before a board of Army officers at Fort Leavenworth. In th
u put on your uniform to-night and bring your mother over here? Then Hal can put on his uniform and you can both take your mothers out this evening. Don't
reed readily. "But wouldn't you rather wait a few days and s
ashington is sound asleep during these hot days. Mrs. Terry and I will have to
other will have to wait even l
nded a shrill whis
ing here?" murmured M
sounded the postman's vo
le parlor, through the short hallw
greeting. Hal had known this postman ever since the
tman. "One letter-for you. I'll be back
ial-looking envelope that he held in his hand. Up in one cor
velope, Hal walked unsteadil
most shouted Noll. "What's-
ing on his feet, a
fairly flew
?" she demanded, in a shaking voice
eplied Hal, turning the envelope so that his mother might read
ergeant Noll. "Hal
e envelope?" asked Mrs
zzy to think of anything," an
from his hands, caught up her sewing scissors fr
quickly as you can, and let us know
Army, stating that Hal had passed the examinations and that the President had just
of that awful 'ad interim
r, Congress isn't in
what that has
rs are appointed by
e of Congress
y and Navy, Mother, are made by the Preside
some string to it all
he Senate rarely ever refuses to confirm the Presiden
there a bootblack at th
ikely that there is
o be consulted, too, my boy, before we're at
as sure, at this moment, that I'm a second l
I-well, I'm afraid I don't trust any
e first electric shock of the news, and
lowing with generosity. "Why-where is-what has
h now that Noll Terr
dn't look for Noll. He's beating a
dn't n
foot to his own roof to see if the postman on
n his commission, too," sig
think h
a nice
f the very best fel
ave a lot to say about Noll's co
. It means 'in the time betw
"I didn't know but Ad was t
ing right after N
pany in the first moments that such good news has come to him? Hal, I'm thinking
ther thin
ded Mrs. Ove
over-confident. But the fact is, I've al
when will t
ny chest that I brought with me
es
fit of uniforms is p
right upstairs and unlock
ck, gayly, as he darted out of t
cer-son brought out his key-ring and fumbled at the lock of the mahog
and lifted out a tray. "Now, wade into 'em. Look 'em over to yo
left hand, Hal drew out the h
red his mother. "I hope my son will never have an
that he may point out the location of the enemy, or to indicate some tree on the other side that he t
r leads a charge, fl
much danger from the bullets of his
all," guessed Mrs. Overton, speaking in a tone of rel
two or three hundred yards' range, to-day, a bullet will pass through
f that kind of stuff," shivered the little
ft fingers of a woman she was lifting and
go out with your father and me this evening,
n examining, stepped over and plac
away from troops and duty, rarely wears his uniform in public.
rgeant's uniform when
st why an enlisted man goes off post in uniform, and an officer, when away from his duties, ordinar
ents from near the
et of tennis flannels
prescribed uniform, just
o shoulder-straps-nothing." Mrs. Overt
, bringing to light the article he had named. "That gives the
than any clerk might wear," re
when he doesn't want to look conspicuous among civilians. I'll go to my room
d Mrs. Overt
ng whether Noll had found a letter waiting for him at
?" called a voice
ed back the yo
s appearance proclaimed the story. He was weari