n one is
found, gets little in the way of leave.

Whenever a soldier or an ex-soldier is found slandering the Army service
it is invariably safe to set him down as a man who, through very poor
soldierly qualities, or actual viciousness, got "in the bad books" of
his officers. There is every desire on the part of regimental and
company officers to make it pleasant for a truly good soldier, and to
keep him in the service until he has reached retiring age.

The man who gets into bad company when away on leave is the soldier who
has the most difficulty in getting leave another time.

On the other hand, the soldier of good conduct can have much leave
during the month. It is a practice at many posts, when a man has a
trade, and can get small jobs to do near the post, to allow him as many
half days for that work as may be granted him without injury to the
service. In this way handy men or mechanics among the soldiers often add
many dollars to their pocket money.

As Private Bill Hooper went away to clean up his uniform and shoes, Hal
blithely kept at work putting his rifle in A 1 order.

Both were interrupted, half an hour later, by the bugle call for
separate company drill.

Private Overton was among the first on the drill ground. His clothing
looked as though it had just come from the tailor's; his rifle had the
appearance of being fresh from the arsenal.

"There's a man for you, Hyman," spoke Sergeant Hupner, in an undertone.
"If the kid keeps on as he has started he'll be a winner."

"I've had my eye on him," nodded Private Hyman. "He seems to be good all
the way through."

"Is he ever a little bit fresh in the squad room?" continued Sergeant
Hupner.

"If the kid is," replied Hyman, "I've never happened to be around at
that time. But he stands up for himself when he has to. I suppose you've
heard, Sergeant, how he trimmed Bill Hooper off?"

"Yes," nodded Hupner; "that sort of thing won't hurt Hooper at all,
either."

"Hooper may lay for a chance to accuse Overton of something in the squad
room that the kid didn't do."

"I'll have my eyes open for Hooper," replied Hupner dryly. "I haven't
anything against any of the other sergeants in this battalion, but I
really wish some other sergeant had Hooper in his squad room."

"B Company fall in," sounded the voice of Captain Cortland.

First Lieutenant Hampton and the sergeants hastened to their posts,
while the corporals and privates went to their places in the