Harper's Round Table, December 29, 1896

A spirited tale opens on a remote frontier post where fresh‑out‑of‑West Point lieutenant Augustus Albumblatt steps into a world of mismatched expectations. He meets a cast of colorful characters—officers, their outspoken wives, a cook who has vanished, and a garrison eager for a bit of dancing and conversation about German artillery. Their banter, full of good‑natured ribbing and gentle satire, paints a vivid picture of late‑nineteenth‑century military life far from the bustle of Washington.

The story is part of a larger collection that hops from daring giant hunts to the misadventures of schoolboys in Siberia, from a stubborn army mule’s final kick to the quirks of a camera club. Each vignette offers a snapshot of the era’s humor, curiosity, and the everyday heroics of ordinary folks. Listeners will be drawn into the lively dialogue and the charming, slightly off‑beat slice of history that unfolds with every turn of the page.