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THE HESPERIAN
M
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tors of our nation learn to carry their chins close
to their necks with case and military bearing.
To sec another suffer, is one of the cruel enjoy
ments in life; but to see another undergo a trial
through which the observer has passed, is a most
pleasing recreation. The Roman emperor who
spent his leisure in spearing Hies with pins, ex
perienced that cruel enjoyment; the old soldier,
who has watched the new recruits as they were
" set up," has enjoyed that pleasing recreation.
In none but those, who have drilled, docs the
military manoeuvering of an awkward squad
arouse a feeling in any way akin to real satisfac
tion. The casual observer is unable to see in the
straggling lines of youths, the proud, gilt-bedecked
officers of the future. Any one who is unable
thus to stretch the imagination, will never derive
true enjoyment from watching the awkard squad.
But the majority of people arc not seeking for
true enjoyment. They desire fun ; and fun there
is, and plenty of it, in the vicinity of these as
pirants for military honors.
An awkward squad consists of a number of raw
recruits, and a proportionate number of nearly
raw instructors. The whole squad is divided into
smaller squads, to each of which is assigned one
instructor. These instructors are under the super
vision of the chief instructor or drill-master, whose
duty it is to instruct, and whose especial pleasure
seems to lie, in instructing the instructors. The
equipment of each instructor consists of a fault
less memory, a pair of gloves and a " tactic."
The drill-master must be provided with an extra
pair of gloves, two " tactics," and, if possible, a
better memory, to lend to his subordinates if oc
casion require.
Thus provided, the squad separates into the
smaller divisions and proceeds to the field. The
band, if composed largely of new members, is
also sent out under the command ot the drum
major, who is inclined to be lenient with his men
and to give them long rests so that he may have
opportunity to think of his huge black bear skin
hat and time to meditate over his loud yellow
gold-foil uniform.
The first operations of the squad are the most
interesting. With the tips of the little fingers
pressed firmly upon the seams of the trousers, and
with the thumbs vainly endeavoring to become
disjointed, the squad tries to respond to the com
mand " Forward march." Perhaps one-half re
member which is their left foot and step off with
their right, while the other half remember which
is their right, and stand still. Thus matters are
going on when the drill-master approaches.
Now, the drill-master has a personality and a
voice which must be respected, so, in sonorous
tones, he commands a hlu. His eyes are blind
to the instructor's disappearing " tactics," for he
has a heart, and remembers the volume reposing
in his own hip pocket. "About, face!" He
commands, and promptly the men turn to the
left, conscious of performing the movement
wrong, but frightened into so doing by the drill-
master's personality. Just at this moment another
squad goes astray, so, with a cautious feel towards
his hip-pocket, the drill-master leaves the squad
in the competent hands of his superior, whom he
sees approaching.
Rapidity in learning new movements is not
characteristic of awkward squads. Much less
apparent does their capacity in this direction ap
pear, when the commanding officer is near. Just
as the small boy behaves his w ort before company,
so the awkward squad behaves most awkwardly in
the presence of the commandant. There is one
consolation for the instructor, however. He
knows that his own men are doing their best
under existing circumstances. A similar feeling
is held by the squad ; so, the only bar to general
good feeling is that the commandant is not of
that opinion. There is, however, an excuse for
his position. He has to make rey articles out
of exceedingly raw material, and is able to do so
only by cutting away a good many rough edges.
The " setting up " exercises are most disliked
by recruits, and yet, are very efficacous in wear
ing away the rough edges. Accordingly, as soon
as the commandant takes the squad, he orders
them to gyrate and to stretch themselves in
seventeen different ways. The greatest charm
lies in beholding the movements. Although,
they are simply practical gymnastics, they are of
such a nature that they test the endurance ol the
recruit and make him if not cry enough, at least
think it so hard, that it ts plainly visible in his
face, long before the commanding officer sees fit
to leave.
There is, however, an end to all things. At
the recall, long but now wavering lines of men
string into the armory and form companies again.
" Dismissed " is a welcome command. The re
cruits depart, thankful that one more day of their
three years time has been served.
ALUMNI AND FORMER STUDENTS.
'88-A modest little book bearing in gilt on its wine
colored cover the word " Nebraska," is attracting
no small amount of notice. It treats of Nebraska
and distinctly of nothing else but Nebraska. Its
author is Mr. Jay A. Barrett, of the class of '88,
and for the past three years instructor in Greek
and civics at the Lincoln High school. The
material for the book was prepared mainly during
the school year of '91 -'92, and the work finished
and published in the latter part of August of the
current year. The subject is presented in a
simple condensed form and cannot fail to be un
stood and appreciated by all. Part first consists
of a description of the physical features of the
state, the elevation, drainage, soils, etc., and sets
forth their influence on settlement and develop
ment. It speaks of the Indians of Nebraska and
of the early explorers and missionaries ; describes
Nebraska as a territory, gives an account of the
Kansas-Nebraska bill and traces carefully the de-