and news that can injure it is, from the military point of view,
untrue. General Notice is making a tour of the country at home,
receiving ovations everywhere on account of the complete subjugation of
the islands. What effect will such news have upon his reception? Is it
a proper way to treat a general who has deserved well of his country?"

"But," interposed the editor, "don't the people know that you are
continually sending out more troops?"

"The people do not mind a little thing like that," said Sam. "When an
officer and a gentleman says the war is over, they believe it, and
they show their gratitude by voting money to send new regiments. Your
action in printing this stuff is most disloyal. I will send one of my
assistants around to your office with you to see that this edition is
destroyed, and if you repeat the offense you will be deported."

The unfortunate man retired, shrugging his shoulders. As he went out
Cleary came running in with a copy of the paper.

"Oh! you've got a copy of that, have you?" said Sam. "It's an outrage
to print such things, isn't it?"

"I'm afraid it's true," said Cleary.

"What difference does that make?" exclaimed Sam. "It's the business of
an army to conquer a country. We've done it twice, and we can do it as
often as we like again."

"Hear, hear!" cried Cleary. "You're becoming more and more of a soldier
as you get promoted. You have the true military instinct, I see. Of
course it makes no difference who holds the country, but I'm a little
disappointed in the Moritos. As for San Diego, Colonel Booth of your
old regiment is in command, and I half think he didn't back up the
Morito garrison out of jealousy toward you. He wanted to have the
Morito country go back, so as to belittle our exploit. But we'll get
even with him. I've seen the cable-censor, and not a word about it will
go home. I have just sent a despatch saying that the whole island is
entirely in our hands and that the natives are swearing allegiance by
thousands."

"That's right," said Sam. "It's really a kindness to the people at
home, for if they think it's true it makes them just as happy as if it
were true, and I think it's positively cruel to worry them
unnecessarily."

"To be sure," said Cleary. "And if it does get out, we'll throw all the
blame on the Secretary of War and his embalmed beef. They say he's
writing a book to show that a diet of mummies is the best for fight