Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-03-06
THE RETORT PRACTICAL.

When Lord - was Governor Gen.
eral Of India. the 18th regiment was quar-
tered at Fort William. His Lordship was
avery good man, probably very great
man. but he was sad tyrant and some-
times was apt to fancy that instead Of the
representative Of royalty, he was royalty
itself. This was mistake which OCCASION
ally led him into error.
Now, Colonel s., who command
ed the l7th, was about as good an officer rs
ever wore pair of epauletts; the regiment
under his command--one Of the most dis
tinguished in his majesty's service--wcre
proud Of him. and loved him dearly; be-
cause, although he drilled them daily till
they almost tainted, he mover suffered any
one to pass a slight, or do anything against
the corps that he commanded. lie is now
a X. c. B. or G. G. B. Few officers have
better deserved this ill-bestowed honor
Colonel - Is soldier; as the world
expresses 1t, he is Soldier every inch Of
him."
Ny lord -. who, by the by, was a
civilian, ordered grand review. The
troops were drawn out on the esplanade.
The day was burning hot The Governor
General could see from his viceregal man.
sion that they were awaiting him. His
Exccllency chose to remain longer at ti6in;
the troops. having dropped nearly two
hours under the lingering rays Of a tropic-
al sun, were nearly worn out when Lord
came prancing out to look at them.
II is great honor to bs looked at by a
great man so the troops presented arms,
and the officers dropped their swords. In
moment, however. the eagle eye of Lord
- beheld Gag staff, bolt upright
He instantly despatched an aid-de-camp to
command that it be lowered. Colonel
s. respectfully declined, on the score
that 1t was the kings color Of the 18th reg.
iment, and could only do homage to a
member Of the royal family.
"Am not the representative of majes-
typ" said bis lordship.
''You are. my Lord" replied Colonel
S..
"Then desire that the Gag may be low.
cred"
II extremely regret, your Exccllcncy.
TINT am compelled to decline complying
with your order" replied Colonel s..
"The kings ensign can only DO lowered to
royalty ITSELF"
"Sir, | insist" commenced his lord.
ship.
any lord" interrupted the Colonel, 81
will not give an order contrary to the rules
Of tho service, and the directions given me
when l had the honor Of being placed at
the head OF this gallant corps"
"You shall repent this dsobcdicncc,"
said his lordship. al shall instantly refer
tho question home, and IL you're wrong.
will have you..dismissed the from service"
The enraged Govcrnor-G eneral, thwar-
ted for the first time in bis lifo, galloped
back to his palace, where his anger consid-
crably impeded his digestion. The i7th
regiment marched into Fort William, well
knowing they had made dire and pow
crful enemy.
During the twelve months that elapsed
for an answer from Europe, no officer Of
the makred corps were invited to his Ex-
cellency's banquets. Many petty sights
were shown them: In word. they uffered
all the little grievances which superior
authority can, il it chooses, inf,ict.
At length the answer came. Colonel
s. was right. He had acted strictly
according to regulations; but requcs,
was conveyed to him, that In future, as bis
Excsllcncy seemed to make point of 1t,
he would lower tho kings color to the
Governor General.
Each considered he had gained a tri.
umph, and the l7th were marched down
to Calcutta again, to prove to the world al
large that Lord - was TO receive q
bow from red and blue flag. yclept the
kings colors.
A review was ordered. The salute was
given, and oil went OF well.
That evening the Governor General gave
grand party. He as usual commanded
the band Of tho European regiment in the
fort (thc l7th) to bo in attendance; II being
the custom in those days always to strike
up "God Save tho King" the instant tho
great man emerged from the drawingroom
occasionally, "See the Conquering Hero
comes" was thrown in as delicate com.
pliment, while flourish Of trumpcls an
nounced each course in succession. and
the military musicians delighted the ladies
during the meal with several very pretty
airs.
On the evening In question. Captain
C the aid-dc.camp) stepped out o
tho room and audibly pronounced "Exccl.
lency." This was signal that Lord
was handing down the first lady II
company, and should have bcen followed
by the opening crash Of tho national an
them. But, alasl not q sound responded
to the appearance Of his lordship.
"whars this? what's this. oh r'exclaim'
cd his lordship. as therc no band pres
cnt?"
"Ycs, my lord." trcmblinsly replied Cap
tain G., "the band Of tho 18th rcgi
mcnt."
"why don't they play? Go and see
These men are sadly drilled, fear bland
ly remarked his exccllcncy to tho pretty
Mrs. P.
The aid-dc.camp returned, actually
iooling nale with horror