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had schooled and drilled and almost made, for Graham had
been famous in his cadet days as a most successful squad instructor, a
model first sergeant, and a great "first captain." How odd it seemed that
he, a graduate, and that all these people, officers, and children, should
now be hanging on the words that might fall from the younger soldier's
lips! A telegram from Washington had told a veteran general visiting at
the Point that his son had been assigned to the artillery, that the order
would doubtless be published that evening. But it so happened that not
until just before parade did the commandant return from a long ride,
and so had no time to read it through. He had simply handed it, with
others, to the silent young soldier, who had stood in full uniform full
five minutes awaiting his coming. "Better order 'parade rest' part of
time. It's a long read," he briefly said, and, stowing the orders under his

sash, the adjutant had saluted, faced about, and hastened away.
And now that young official has received the reports of the first
sergeants and sent them, high-headed, martial, and precise, back to
their stations in the line. And now again he has faced the commanding
officer, saluted, and announced, "All are present, sir." And now that
deliberate functionary has at last said, "Publish the orders, sir." And
silence seems to fall, even upon the chatting groups of girls, as, with
brief "'Tentio-o-o-on to Orders," the adjutant drops the point of his
sword, letting it dangle from the gold swordknot on his wrist, and in
another moment the clear young voice is ringing over the attent and
martial audience.
"War Department, Washington, D.C., June 25, 189--," he begins, and
then briskly rattles away at the terse official paragraphs: "The following
assignment of graduates of the United States Military Academy are
hereby announced to take effect from June 14th." It begins with that
highly scientific and enviable body, the Corps of Engineers, and Mr.
George Graham, up to this moment still officially known as cadet,
touches his mother's arm at sound of the third name on the list--that of
Connell, his chum, his chosen comrade, his much-loved classmate
through the long four years. "Dear old Con," he murmurs into her ears.
"I'll telegraph my congratulations to him, whatever comes to me."
There are eight in all assigned to the engineers, and then come the
names of those gazetted to the artillery--five famous regiments, too,
and Graham notes with joy that Beard, Conway, Foster, and Lawrence,
all of whom were lower in general standing than himself, get their
longed-for billet with the "red legs," and his name is not mentioned.
That means he has not been assigned where he preferred not to go. But
would the war secretary assign him where he longed to be? Yes, here it
comes, first on the cavalry list, and his heart beats for joy.
"F----th Regiment of Cavalry.
"No. 15, Cadet George Montrose Graham to be Second Lieutenant,
Troop 'E,' vice Fenton, promoted."

And though her eyes are brimming and her lips will quiver, Mrs.
Graham clasps both her boy's hands in her own in speechless sympathy.
It cannot all be joy, for this means miles and miles of separation that
must come all too soon. Geordie can scarce believe his ears. Oh, it is
too good! Not only the --th, but "E" Troop, Captain Lane's troop, the
troop of which Feeny was first sergeant, the troop in which veteran
Sergeant Nolan, two years ago at old Fort Reynolds, had said he and
the men so hoped to see the day when Mr. Geordie might come back to
them to be their lieutenant.
And now McCrea was grasping and wringing his hand, with a
"Welcome to the old regiment, Geordie," and blue-eyed "Bud" was
dancing rapturously about until the doctor sternly bade him cease. "Is
that the way you think they behave at Columbia, sir?" having never
seen the behavior of Columbiads, or other collegians, at a ball match or
boat-race or any public occasion of undergraduate rejoicing. Even
among the spectators were many who lost interest for the moment in
what the adjutant was reading, and watched, with kindling eyes, the
unexpected little scene. But when Colonel Hazzard himself, the
soldierly commandant, with his silver-gray mustache and hair, came
striding through the crowd and held forth his hand to the young soldier,
who instantly and instinctively faced him at attention, everybody within
hearing noted the cordiality in his hearty tones as he shook Geordie's
hand: "Mr. Graham, I'm more than glad you got the regiment of your
choice, and you're going to one of the best captains in the army. I was
on duty in tactics when Lane was in the Corps. Well, Mrs.