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