Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-03-12

dian army were on the coast of Egypt.
Next year was the year of the proelama-
ton of the short peace, and they were
recalled. It had then become well
known to thousands of men, that WHEREBY
er Captain Taunton, with the dark bright
eyes led, there, close to him, ever at his
side, firm as q rock, true as the sun, and
! brave as Mars, would be certain to be
found, while life beat in their hearts, that
famous soldier, Sergeant Richard Doub-
lediek.
Eighteen hundred and five, besides
being the great year of Trafalgar, was
year ofhard fighting in India. That year
saw such wonders done by a Sergeant
Major, who cut his way single handed
through a solid mass Of men, recovered
the colors Of his regiment which had been
seized from the hand Of poor boy shot
through the heart, and rescued his woun-
ded captain, who was down, and in a
very jungle of horses boots and sabres
saw such wonders done, l say, by this
brave Sergeant Major, that he was spe-
eially made the bearer of the colors he
had worn and Ensign Richard Double
4 dick had risen from the ranks.
\ SoreIy cut up in every battle, but al
ways reinforced by the bravest Of men
, for, the fame of following the old colors,
, shot through and through, which Ensign
Richard Doubledick had saved, inspired
= all breasts-this regiment fought its way
, through the PenisuIar war, up to the in
ve,tment Of Badajos in eighteen hundred
and twelve. Again and again it had
been cheered through the British ranks
until the tears had sprung into mems eyes
at the mere hearing of the mighty Brit
ish voice so exultant In their valor; and
: there was not a drummer-boy but knew
, the legend that wherever the two friends
Major Taunton, with the dark bright
eyes, and Ensign Richard DoubIedick
who was devoted to him, were seen to go
there the bodies. spirits in the English
? army became wild to follow.
One day, at Badajos-not in the great
; storming, but in repelIing a hot sally O.
the besieged upon our men at work IL
i the trenches, who had giveE way, the
= two officers found themselves hurryine
=, forward, face to face, against a party O
] French infantry, who made stand
There was an officer at their head, en-
= couraging his men-a courageous, hand
] some, gallant officer of five and thirty
= whom DoubIedick saw hurriedIy, almos
= monentarily, but saw well. He parti
t cuIarly noticed this officer waving hi
I sword, and raIlying his men with al
n eager and excited cry, when they fired il
? obedience to his gesture, and MajO
Taunton dropped.
It was over in ten minutes more, anl
Doubledick returned to theApot where ht
g had laid the best friend man ever had, OF
a coat spread upon the vet clay. AIajO
= Taunton's uniform was opened at I'll
: breast, and on his shirt were three littI
}. spots Of blood
It Dear DoubIedick,' said he, I am dy
t. ing
d For the love of heaven, no " ezclaim
ep the other kneeIing down beside min
= and passing his arm round his neck t
> raise lis head. Taunton! My preser
yer my guardian angel, my witness :
Is Dearest truest, kindest Of human being.
N Taunton. For Gods sake.'
The bright dark eyes-so very, yer
dark now, in the, pale face-smiled upo
him and the hand he had kissed THU
= teen years ago, laid itself fondly on b
breast.
Write to my mother. You will sc
home again. Tell her how we becam
friends. It viii comfort her, as it con
u forts me-
- He spoke no more, but family sigue
for a moment towards his hair as it flu
tered in the wind. The Ensign uude
stood him. He smiled again when /
>. saw that, and gently turning bis fat
; over on the supporting arms as if f,
rest, died, with his hand upon The brea
! in which he had revived a soul
ed No dry eye looked on Ensign Richal
rs DoubIedick that melancholy day. Il
Of buried his friend on the field, ard becan
: a lone, bereaved man. Beyond his dut
he appeared to have but two remainif
70 cares in life; one, to preserve the lit
20 packet Of hair he was to give to Tau
tons mother the other, 10 encounti
- that French officer who had rallied Il
3. men under whose fire Taunton fell
r, new legend now began 70 circula
-zo.,o, offr froor,s and Il vVss- that Nhf