The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-10-22
HAIRBRBADTH 'sOAPEs,

HAIRBRBADTH 'sOAPEs,
Edmund S. obtained his commission in lSOl,
! just sixty years ago. lie was then a handsome
! lad Of sixteen, of refined and almost feminine
order of beauty. But that fair face and those
luxuriant auburn locks we're destined to exercise
no small influence on his future career
4 The regiment was under the command Of the
celebrated Colonel Pack, better known as Major
3tGeneral Sir Denis Pack. 1t was sent in 1905 on
4hn expedition to South Africa; and when Cape
$town was captured, and the enemy totally de-
n fested, it was ordered across the wido Atlantic
= up the mighty La Plata, to tho walls Of the
"a Spanish colonial town Of Buenos Ayres.
The occupation of this place by the English was
shortliv and its return to the original posses
sors disgraceful to British arms. Tho English
had possession Of 1t but few weeks, when an
enterprising and able French officer, named
Liniers, placed himself at the head of the native
nilitia, and took it out of their hands. A second
&lime the place was assailed by English troops;
Goneral Whtelock attempted to carry It with
Iforce of II 900 men, and not only failod in his
lattemp, but was captured with his whole force.
n Rnsigu s. accompanied his regiment in the ex-
M edition to Portugal, and fought under the stan
Edard of Sir John Moore; and indeed served In the
garious operations Of the army till the beginning
Wpf 1909, when he was captured by a troop of
erench cavalry.
There was soldier-like enterprise about young
MEdmund s., which led him to offer his services
&Or duties Of difficult and dangerous character.
Dne of his superior officers speaks of his sagacity
md spirit of enterprise, and of the great advan-
Mage he (Sir B. d. derived from his knowledge
Df the Spanish language, acquired, no doubt,
Then Edmund was a prisoner in the wilds Of
KSouth America.
II But TO our story. Our enterprising young hero
Tas captured by the French when engaged in a
HaShinU and daSultOrV onpratinO un1pr ha
band of Sir Robert Wilson, who, in person, sur
rised and carried off q small post of French
aValry near Calyidela; but here Sir Robert
pund to his cost or rather to his lieutenant's
Host, that he had caught Tartar. A troop of
French cavalry came to the rescue, overthrow
Ind routed Sir Robert Wilson's followers. and
fade prisoners of many of them and among the
Number of our youps nero, who was carried
overland TO Yerdun, in the east of France, a
alton selected by the French Government for
English prisoners. The journey was q long and
Whicult one; but he arrived at his destina =
lon in the March OF 1909, where he was placed
In parole.
Possessed of a cheerful disposition and genial
Nature, he soon made number of friends among
e French, who We'd with each other in treating
e handsome young English officer with hOspl-
lity and kindness. Nerdun at this time was
ry pleasant residence. There were balls and
WNties innumerable, TO which all English officers
parole were invited. Our hero appeared at a
and bal maSque in female costume; and by his
Hicste tint Of cheek, golden hair, perfect SYM
HtbIy OF udlnb, anu fascinating manners, man
fed not only to deceive, but positively to capti
to the heart of a naval officer in the British
ryice, who danced with and made fierce love
him, to the great amusement of all those who
Nre acquainted with Edmund's assumed char
Hter or assumed disguise.
No man likes to be laughed at, especially in a
Hbllc ballroom and he dislikes 1t all the more
Uhe feels he has given ANYTHING like occasion
the laughter by making fool Of himself, as
I'm often do when desperately in love- In the
es OF the naval omcer young ). had committed
unpardCnable ohense, which could only be
bned for at the point of the sword or the muzZle
Whe pistol. twas no use to explain to him
bt assumed characters were the rule at bal
tSqteS, and that the more complete the deCep-
~ the greater the merit. He met all such argu-
PITS by saying that "the feelings of an officer in
fBritish navy had been trihed with; and that
man who had fooled him in such way,
tier the guise of lovely woman, and who had
trd things which he should not have heard,
4st give him the satisfaction of gentleman"
ts the rule in duelliug from and before the
Ieof"S Lucius O'Trgger" and Captain Abso-
p" is, that If one party thinks, or resolves to
PIX himself offended or badly used-no matter
ht any impartial person, or any number of
Ih persons may think TO the contrary-the
Trparty must fight, Lieutenant S. was COM
fed, most unwillingly, to accept the naval Off
Is challenge, after offering every apology
Jch one gentleman could offer to another.
lhey met the following morning, when Ed
hd, who perhaps felt he had gone a little too
! bn allowing the naval officer to make n fool of
. lself, fired in the air. Not SO his antagonist,
took deliberate aim and shot our hero
J, tugh the side. He then rushed up, and as is
Ial on such occasions expressed deep regret,
paid marked attention TO his wounded
Vhd," for they became friends ever after"
Nen protect us from friends or friendships
kthis, cemented in blood
pe French police at Nerdun who wnked at,
lther encouraged, the duel, got into disgrace
Iccount of il ; aHd as some of them were dis
fed a bad feeling sprung up among the in
Htants Of the place towards the English
bners on parole, as "quarTelsOme and
1dthirsy set, who could not take joke"
teutenant SIS wound was not serious as
at first apprehended; and as he possessed an
Hlent constitution and good healing flesh, he
1ooR upon his legs again, and rs ready for
\ N fghung-that is, for lighting Prenchmen,
= English naval oteers-as ever.
co lon after his recovery he was presented by q
ii, ch tradesman with q bill for goods, which he
G convinced he had previously paid; but as he
q, not then find the receipt and refused to pay
no ond time, the tradesman brought him before
as trefect who sent him to prison ''till he should
?" the debt" Truly that prison was purga-
"a, ine him now alone and melancholy, seated
sJr aJ n wooden bench OF a French spOnging-
on ywhen he suddenly throws up his head, Tor
no thought has struck him, which gives q
to his pale and delicate face. The question
b he put TO himself was one which touched
onor as British officer. 1t was this -
my arrest and imprisonment put me of
aroe Does the conduct Of this tradesman
with igGES nnbemshed ord I honor o aeSsad ~
Hon, no doubt; for il was not 10 the civil
tmsnt Of the State to which the tradesman
Sreiect belonged), that he had pledged his
not 10 escape, but to the military. But II
Military department allowed the civil depart
20 override IL, and to conine a man in
1 who had been placed on parole, what then
kwas very difficult question, and we can
ies. Inc men with high and nice sense of hoRor
'''- II opposite views on il. Lieutenant S. re-
US Mo consult his friends, who agreed that his
Ad- 1Snment rendered his liberty OF parole null
dls' Hoid, and afforded him the opportunity OF
hing with honor. This decision of his friends
use ed his movements.
MS the question remained, Whittier should he
1v. Z, and in what disguise He finally resolved
id his steps towards Rotterdam In Holland
he hoped TO meet with some English ship
try the disguise Of peddler, with agood
4. n wearing apparel, which would afford hin