Harper's Round Table, April 21, 1896

The story opens in the shadowy basement of Brick Church, where the Lincoln Cadets keep their polished rifles, drums, and a gleaming portrait of Abraham Lincoln. As they prepare for an evening parade, the young officers chatter about the looming strike at the nearby iron mills, a conflict that has driven the town’s Polish workers into angry protest. The atmosphere crackles with nervous anticipation, especially when Old Tom, the veteran janitor‑turned armorer, delivers the disappointing news that the patron, Mr. Dunworthy, will not attend the review.

Undeterred, Major Jack Downing rallies the cadets to carry on with the drill, determined to uphold their discipline despite the growing unrest outside. Meanwhile, the night sky is suddenly filled with the sound of marching feet as a crowd of agitated mill workers approaches, their presence hinting at a clash between civic duty and social upheaval. The stage is set for a tense encounter that will test the cadets’ resolve and the fragile peace of the town.