interest this pleasing spectacle. The varied and intricate
evolutions made by these gray-clad figures, as they expanded into
broad platoons, and then, as if by magic, fell again into groups of
two, four, or six, was, to the unaccustomed beholder, a strange and
attractive performance.

The bristling bayonets shining in the bright morning sun, gave
evidence of the faithful care with with which their polish was
preserved. And these bright polished muskets spoke loudly too, to
the reflecting heart, of the wild work they might some day
accomplish, when carried into the conflict by these same skilful
hands that now so peacefully upheld them--demon-work, that might
clothe a land and people in sackcloth and desolation!

The drilling was ended, the last evolution made, the halt commanded,
and the order to disband spoken.

Like a fragile piece of potter's work, the magic ranks broke apart,
and each gun fell to the ground with a heavy "thud," like an iron
weight.

"I say, George, I am deuced tired of this turning and twisting, and
I'll be glad when the term ends, and I am set free from this place."

"Well, I can't say that I will, Le Grande," replied George Marshall,
as handsome a cadet as wore the uniform, and one highly ambitious
for promotion. "I came to this institute, because I was always
fascinated by military display, and I intend to make this my
lifelong profession."