Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-12-14
Misfell
Brought TO Bay.
An ENGLISH OFFICES STORY.

Perhaps YOU may laugh. but never
ihcies> IT i perfectly true and tins :
how II happened.
As you may be quite sure, being
only nineteen, | was most Tremendous
anxious 10 get nv commission. and
when at last was gazetted a. the 2o4ih
Foot, dIi not give my tailor much
rest till my uniform ami the paraphcr-
MALTA Of my outfit were sent home.
dare say, 10 the old and sage. IL is
very ridiculous but To mel was glori-
Gus, that first putting on military gar
menis. The bedroom door was locked.
| vas quite alone. There was a chcyal
glass hy the bedside, and what was
there TO prevent me from sirutting
ahodt. a. scarlet 10 the face almos; ~
my tightly buttoned tunic; 1, did not
III the perfectly. knew but having il
altered would necessitate It's being
taken away, and tha: idea was insup-
portable. 80 kept my things lust as
they were. and in the hot stage OF
scarlet fever ~ which | then was. th.
fact Of the regiment being ordered out
- China did not give much uDea,i-
less. for even IN Chinese war there
did lot seem much cause for discom-
fort, since | believe that the British
could chase the barbariaus by the thou
sand.
will not trouble YOU with the ac-
count of our long j 'nrne, out, and our
landing IN the Celestial I'm are. Let
il suffice when tell ,uu lhAt lpon our
arrival IL WAS Ia ii u,,tn,ll , IN full
progress, anu. blI a. | Sa>. had TO
take my turn "t;h t.i- rest. smelt
powder, heari the WAX pi bullets. and
SAW smart uniform so,led with mud
and fifth
II was hot work in both senses of
rthe word. Now We were walking in
river bed or creek: with the blazing
sun aboye Us, and the rank. s,eamy
| heat rising from the slime now We
were storming a mudfort, or chasing
the enemy over the swampy rice fields
or through canebrakes while the next
| day. perhaps. We were accompanying
some footing expedition.
AT last. after making pretty good
| progress up the country, we stormed a
town which | will call here Lingo Po.
1t had been a pretty tough job for the
mud walls had been held by stroag
/ party Of Braves. However. al last
the day Was ours; the Braves were
SUPPOSED to be ariven out, and We had
taken possession, the men distributing
themselves pretty well over the place,
and was along with half dozen OF
the band.mcn. who were ON their way
10 the place chosen for headquarters.
there 10 deposit their instruments
previous 10 going upon ambulance du-
ty, the helping of the wounded being
as perhaps you are aware, the duty Of
the bandsnen in time of war
We were rather indifierently armed,
the bandsmen having only those sor,
of Roman-looking swords-very blum,
ones too-and had a hasty thrust
through the right arm from the spear
of a brave-a hurt which necessitated
the wounded limb being carried in "a
| sling. and made me feel more sick and
faint than cared TO own amongst men
who would have looked upon my in
| jury as a mere scratch.
The town was evidently a large,
densely populated place, full of crooked
lanes, streets and blind alleys, among
which We kept wandering for quite ALI
hour before We were compelled TO own
that We had lost our way.
If yen be kind enough to take the
lads. Mr.. Grey, we'll folly ye,' said one
of the bandsnen, turning suddenly
around upon me and scratching his
puzzled pate.
I'm ready enough to lead, Dennis,
| said but I'm about done up for want
Of a little water. l was thinking OF
asking you to carry me-
I'm thinking. sir. that We may just
as we'll sit down in the shade and wait,
for the headquarters is just as likv TO
come to US, as We are to get TO 1t. A
big place like this would puzzle map
maker9
Il thought I'D tell you. sir, taht
there's couple Of Chinese Oeen follow :
ing us for the last i've minutes, sasd