Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-04-25
of his visitor.


serious, and yet there can be nobody now on
duty as sentry but one OF the common soldiers
of the corps, who have been here ten times over
already"
"Ths may be-" returned the visitor "but
still assure you that you have a rare and re-
markable guard Of honor at present, in as far
as you have Scottish knight baronet standing
sentry at your threshold"
''Do you really say so - exclaimed Colonel
Winram, who, though worthy man and an
approved soldier, carried his veneraiion for Ii
Ties and family honors somewhat 10 excess
ga man Of title doing duty n the ranks of my
corps" continued the veteran chow in the
name Of wonder came this about, and how did
you discover it,"
81 had seen Sir Robert 1nnes several years
ago, before he came TO the title, and while its
late possessor still retained enough of the fam
lily property to keep himself and his heir in toll
cradle condition so far as appearances went.
When ii was discovered, on the accession Of
this young gentleman, that his ancestral pos
sessions had long been in the deceptive condi
ton of husk with the kernel gone, many in-
dividuals who had known Robert lnnes and had
admired his manly and virtuons character, were
anxious 10 aid and befriend him; but the youth
disappeared suddenly from society, and the ru-
NOR went that he had entered the army. Hav-
ing heard Of this report, was much struck to-
night with the look and bearing of the sentry
whom saw at your porch and a closer exam
ination satisfied me tina. the soldier was indeed
no other than Sir Robert Innes, of Or,on."
"Can this be truel" exclaimed the veteran,
and moved hastily to window, from which he
could command a view of his titled sentinel.
Being over and over assured by his friend that
the young soldier was no other than the person
who had been described he Immediately gave
orders TO have another private brought on duty,
and the hero Of our tale ushered into his pres
ence.
When the young man appeared before his
commander, the latter plainly and candidly sta
ted what had been communicated TO him, and
asked if 1t was true, that he really addressed
Sir Robert lnnes. The youth, after cooring
little from surprise, owned that the nlor!na-
tion given TO the Colonel was correct, and that
he was really Sir Robert lnnes. Colonel Win
ram was silent for a few moments, and then
said;
"Beliese me, young gentleman, when ask
you 10 inform me personally of the true motives
winch induced you TO enter the ranks, have
sincere wish to serve you, and am not aciuatcd
by mere curiosity"
Sir Robert answered his commander by sim
ply stating that finding himself possessed of
title, without any of the requisite means for
supporting il creditablv he had been under the
necessity Of quitting the society Of his equals in
station, but superiors in point of fortune.
of honorable prds fs e%isr @ 'hss Sa he humble YET
independent condition Of common soldier rath-
er than making any attempt at gaining main
tenance in my own degree by drawing on the
bounty Of others, and eating what must have
been, at best, The bread Of dependence"
81 admire your candor. SIR" said the veter-
an. land | honor your sentiments. You must
be replaced in your proper sialion-in ;hat sta
,ion TO which you were born, Sir Robert, and
10 which you will be a credit and an ornament.
Thank Heaven, have interest enough TO pro-
cure cornetcy; and corneicy of British horse
is fitting station for any one-for the first no.
BILE in the land
The poor soldier, in whose fortune a great
change was thus Unexpectedly promised, could
scarcely find language TO thank his warm hear
ted beneiactor and commander. But the Col.
did not give himself time 10 listen 10 thanks.
'Ithink am sure Of the cornetcy on appli-
cation" continued he; "but at the worst, can
procure your discharge, and do something fol
you in other ways"
l Pursuing his kindly intention farther. tbs
Colonel gave our hero temporary release from
regimenal duty, and invited him to dinner OF
the following day. Sir Rober, joyfully accep
ted the invitation.
The young baronet dined with his command
ing officer, not once, bu, again and again; fo
, the cornetcy of horse was obtained for Sir Rob
ert lnnes, and he became daily a greater ar,
greater favorite with Colonel Winram, VIII
! found his protege fulfill all the high promis
that had appeared in him at their first inter
{ view. Handsome, wcl-bred and accomplishe,
in all the qualifications Of gentleman, Sir Rob
3 ert was indeed very generally esteemed by hi
e brother officers, and all who met him in socie
t.
After the new cornet had held his station 70
: some months, the veteran asked his young frien,
e to Join him in an excursion to the country. Th
= request was of course cheerfully complied with
and The pair sci out in the Coonels carriage
d After they had gone a considerable way, tn
d Colonel told Sir Robert that his daughter an
d only child was then, for the completion of he
d education, residing at a neighboring boarding
70 school, and that he was going TO visi, her. s.
h Robert in due time had The honor of being il
g troduced 10 the only child of his benelacto
j. She was young lady in the very spring
e womanhood, and beautiful in countenance, lh'
at the full graces Of her person were scarcely "
l- developed. After a short visit the veteran an
D. his friend departed.
t, The Colonel and the Baronet were not veI
Mt communicative for some space. AT length Il
I'd conversation turned on the young lady, G
Id whom her father eXpatiated with the fondne
is of parent ; and his observations being assen
I'd cd to somewhat warmly. the Colonel, TO Il
lie surprise of Sir Robert, hnied that his dang
at ter might do worse than take him for a hu
fy band. The young man was completely su
lg prsed for The moment by this most unlooke
c. for overture. He could not believe that Il
en- veteran meant TO sport with his feelings, y