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