Guy Wetmore Carryl

“ Aren’t they the very flower of Kenton City, the youngest and best blood in our veins, gathered by one good man’s will into an organization of sterling loyalty, with one great aim in view, and that the support and protection and preservation of all that is best in Alleghenia? The very fact that such a body of men exists among us is in the nature of a guarantee, it seems to me, that we shall come out all right in the end. ”

“ Colonel Broadcastle’s voice was sweeping the armory, as he put the regiment through the manual of arms.
“One has only to hear one of them — Mr. Nisbet, for example — say ‘the Ninth’ to find the hope of which you are in search. These men say it as others say ‘God’ or ‘my mother’ — as you yourself, Johnny boy, say ‘Alleghenia.’”
“Charge — bay’n’ts!”
With a single click, a thousand rifles fell into position, a thousand left feet smote the floor in unison, and the light rippled and twinkled along a solid line of flashing steel. ”

“ After all, as no one knows better than yourself, it’s not your own advancement you’re looking for, it’s that of the state. Well, there may be other agencies, perhaps entirely independent of you or of your influence, but none the less invaluable. For example, you are close upon despair — and yet, before your fears come true, the forces of wrong will have to fight their way, step by step, through this rampart of American manhood! ”

“ Wynyard. “Look! The people are taking to the sides of the room already, and the companies are forming. What astonishing method and precision there is to it all! Do you suppose each man has a little circle marked on the floor, to show just where he is to stand?”
“I haven’t the most remote doubt of it,” said Natalie, with a smile, — “and his name neatly lettered inside it with gilt paint!”
The long, enclosed racks at the ends of the drill-room were open now, and the electric light winked upon the barrels of the Springfields, as busy, white-gloved hands plied the polishing cloths along them. ”