Uncle Sam's Boys as Lieutenants; or, Serving Old Glory as Line Officers
enth two slim, sun-burnt, erect and athletic-lookin
after taking a look at them, concluded to take
for you, gentle
n at headquarte
s,
the major if he is not too bu
, on which was printed, from engraved scri
y Ove
. Ar
replied the sergeant
next room. In an instant he came out again, h
hes you to step i
ith broad shoulders and somewhat inclined to portliness. His hair was iron-gray, his face rather hig
ome to the Thirty-seventh. I can speak, with
resented thems
s. I had the hard-won pleasure of coming through West Point, but many of the officers who have served with me and under me came up from the ranks
n you have time to take a walk, this reservation is right on the bank of the Rio Grande River. In fa
ng we could find about Fort
bachelors, I
r," asse
nt, for married officers. So, gentlemen"-here the major's eyes twinkled merrily-"you w
m engagements in that l
informed that you were bachelor officers I have already given orders that your quarters be made ready. We have twelve sets of officer's quarters here, and, in
your orders, sir
Sam's house. I will take you over to your quarters myself.
ers of Captain Gooda
, is here. He will call upon you at two o'clock this afternoon, unless you have
r, informing him that Mr. Overton would c
ggage, gentlemen? At t
s,
rmaster sergeant's men to take your checks a
ved the baggage checks of the
major, reaching for his uniform cap. "I wi
well-kept roads, a guard house, parade ground, hospital, administrative buildings, a barracks for enlisted men and other quarters
utherly direction toward the officers' quarters. At the extreme western end of "offi
nced the major. "And the building just this sid
. There are reading and writing rooms at the "club," and other features that make it a somewhat pleasant lounging place for young officers in their few leisure hours. While there is plenty of comfort at an officers' club there are few in which anything li
, explaining that he had assigned them quarters upstairs, as t
on the east side, Noll's on the west side. Each set consisted
ir, to start married life in
about you?" asked the major
the leas
d the commanding officer. "Their selection is, of course, subject to your
were still inspecting their quarters two private sold
jor, rising. "I shall be at the club during the noon-time to-day,
s saluted as their
le," admonished Hal. "
ising and making for the doo
n a knock came. Another knock
l, and a young priva
s your striker, sir, until you make some
right moment, then," an
is,
trunk and bags in the bedro
good
the bathroom. Completing his toilet with soldierly speed
arose, standin
ker had placed his swords in a corner, and that hi
old himself. Then he stepped out, knocking on No
nearly ready, sir," r
have been employed in the past as strikers to officers. No private soldier is compelled to serve as striker. He does it only of his own choice, and is always paid by the officer, the amount of pay depending upon the extent and nature of the se
g a striking sight in his bra
iable to arrest by the guard," laughed Noll
" ask
rade in an officer's
ied Hal. "You haven't been an enli
living," Noll retorted. "You look out, too, Hal, old bunkie,
r second lieutenant on the post, except yourse
heir room when a soldier, turning the corner, brough
Noll started guiltily, half a second later, and hurried
that time," admitted
r, as you well enough know, for an of
Noll was looking now, and fully alert
to the club. Neither had ever before entered
de. There were two other officers pres
e major. "Mr. Sears is first lieutenant of your company, H, Mr. Overton. These gen
entering the hallway. Then a vo
either officers or men who think too much of pleasure. Th
officers steppe
be spelled with a capital 'D,'"
peaker. It startled him so t
of Mike! It's
caught a glimpse, yet, of the
Noll. "The officer who tried to resign bec
want you to meet a new officer, Mr. Overton.
l, turning to grasp the hand of Lieutenant Algy Ferrers, whom
but it was plain that his memory
nts at Fort Clowdry, Mr.
d Algy heartily, but a slight flush mount
esented to his b
ng to his own quarters jus