satisfaction of the whole party.

"And now, my boy," added the gentleman when they heard the postal rattle
into the box, "remember to always direct a letter, postal or package
clearly, and correctly and then look again at the address before
dropping it into the box."

The triplets promised to remember, and the gentleman bade them
good-bye, and hurried down the street.

"Now, where will we go first?" inquired Fritz.

"I think the zoological garden would be the best place," suggested Paul,
but Fritz had set his heart upon seeing soldiers, for in their home
neighborhood they saw a soldier only now and then when home upon a
furlough; but a regiment, or a company even, they had never seen. So
they walked along the street some distance hoping to see a drill, having
read of drills and maneuvers in their story books.

"Look! There comes an officer," exclaimed Franz, as a corporal came
walking along in a stately, dignified manner, and the delighted boys
took off their hats and bowed low to him.

The young man was not at all flattered by this attention, believing that
the country boys were making fun of him; but his angry stare was
positive proof to the triplets that he was some great man, Fritz
deciding that he was a general.

"But if he were a general, he would ride upon a splendid horse. He would
not walk," remarked Paul.

"But he would walk sometimes," insisted Fritz, and at that moment they
met a drummer, and again the boys doffed their hats and bowed low.

"If I were a soldier, I would be a drummer," decided Fritz. "No
instrument makes such beautiful music as a drum; and a person must
understand music to be a drummer."

"But a captain is greater than a drummer," said Paul, "and a general is
greater than a captain."

"Yes, people say so, but if you notice, it is the drummer who leads the
way. All the others have to follow him. I always think of a verse that
tells exactly what I think. Shall I say it to you?"

"Yes, if it is not too long," replied both of his companions, and Fritz
repeated it.

"My comrades envy me, I know,
They can deny it not;
For drummer of the regiment
Has been my happy lot.

"And at a tap, or drum's loud beat
The soldiers follow me;
The general, even, has no choice,
He follows, too, you see.

"But if it had not been my lot
To be a drummer boy
Then I would be a General;
But not with half the joy."

"He was right!" agreed the boys, "and when we are soldiers we will be
d