“It is reported, credibly, that a citizen millionaire of Fairweather has made the offer to the company of state soldiery in this city that he pay $100 for each of the years to one member of the company who shall be found to be most excellent in the military drill. So open-faced a scheme is not necessary to further the capitalistic advantage. The soldiery of the State know already whom they serve. Should it be that the workers of the city make a similar offer, it would be hailed immediately as bribery. We are informed that the members of the company will vote whether they will accept this millionaire’s offer. It will be interesting to watch, to see how many of the uniformed servants of capitalism will by this vote proclaim their allegiance to those their masters.” Donatello’s folio sheet was limited in circulation, but within twenty-four hours after his editorial appeared in print it was being discussed in Fairweather by all kinds of men in all grades of society, and was being commended as a proper characterization of a proposed donation, or else hotly denounced as an insult to an amiable gentleman, and an unwarranted and vicious attack upon the integrity of Company E of the National Guard. Nor was the membership of the company itself entirely free from the bitterness of the controversy. Captain Murray looked forward with grave apprehension to the company meeting which had been called to take up the matter. He felt that it was now more necessary than ever that the men themselves should decide the question, but he knew that whichever way the vote went the result would be an unfortunate one. It was Monday when the opinion came from regimental headquarters; it was Wednesday night after drill when the members of the company, pursuant to notice, met as a business organization. Captain Murray was in the chair. After two or three matters of secondary importance had been disposed of he read to the men Mr. Barriscale’s written offer. At the conclusion of the reading he said quietly: “Owing to the unfortunate controversy which has arisen over this proposal I have been tempted to take the matter into my own hands and make a decision, as I have a right to do. But it is my desire to preserve in the company a spirit of democracy so far as it may be consistent with military usages and discipline. I am therefore leaving the matter entirely to you. I have communicated with headquarters, and I find that there is no military objection to the acceptance of this gift. If you receive it it should be strictly under the conditions of the offer. I am ready to entertain a motion.” Captain Murray had no sooner finished speaking than Private Stone was on his feet. “I move,” said he, “that Mr. Barriscale’s gift to Company E be accepted in accordance with the terms and conditions under which it is offered.” The motion was promptly seconded.