Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1874-04-16

vous work, however, was passing the
gas lamps, which, were placed ut inter-
walls of one or two hundred yards. The
wind was blowing SO fresh that it was will!
difficulty could hold my cloak around
me. Every now and then an extra gust
Of wind would come around corner,
nnl quitc defeat NIL tho precautions
which had adopted to encounter the
heavy gallo. managed to dodge in the
shade rs much rs possible, and more
than once ran the risk of being kicked
by the field officers horse, us l skunk
behind him when the gas might reveal
too much.
1t was terribly cold, to bo sure, the
wind and snow almost nnmbing my
limbs. I had kind of faint hope that
the field officer might think that 1 be.
longed to Highland regiment, and If
he did observe the scantiness of my at
tire, might believe that the kilt would
explain it. struggled and shivercd on,
knowing that all things must have an
end, and that my Grounds" must come
to an end before long. But I feared
that could not again get warm during
the night.
We had nearly completed our tour,
and were within few hundred yards of
the guard-room, when we passed the
field officers quarters. I fondly hoped
that he would not pass them, and that
he would dismiss me dt the door, but
I was rather surprised to see blaze of
light come from the windows, and to
hear the sound of music. It was evident
that there was chop" going on inside,
and I already began to tremble from q
sort of instinct that even worse misfor-
tune was yet to attend me.
NY premOnitions were true, for upon
reaching his door my prosecutor, in a
cheerful tone, said:
"Well, we've had cold tour you
must come in and take glass of wine,
and perhaps waltz will warm you"
"I'm really much obliged" I hastily
answered, sEbut I should not like to
leave my guard"
"NOnsense, nonsense, man-the
guard will be all right; you must come
in."
This "must" he said in quite deter
mined tone.
I felt desperate, and again declared
that I thought I should be wrong to
leave my guard.
"I1l take the responsibility" said
the demon SO come along" saying
which he grasped my arm, and almost
dragged me into the porch of his
quarters.
When we entered the house and were
exposed to the light of the hall lamps,
I fancied saw slight twinkle in the
eye of the officer, and + began to won
der whether he really knew of my pre-
dicament, and wished to have his joke.
He gave no other intimation, however,
that I saw, but quickly took off his cloak
and said that I had better do the same.
Seeing me hesitate, he said, "Come,
off with it.
Further remonstrance L found would
be useless, so that there was no help
for me but a full confession. Summon
ing my courage, and fearing to hesitate,
blurted out, "Colonep I'yeno trousers
on"
"The deuce you haven't!" he said.
"Well, you'd better go and put them
on, and then come here as soon as pos
sible and have glass of something
warm"
I rushed out of the quarters, half de-
termined not to return. was fully
awake now, and shivered like half
drowned dog; but no sooner had I
dressed myself than the colonel came
over to say that quadrille was waiting
for me.
determined to put bold face on
the matter, and entered. the drawing
room where party of about fifty had
assembled. It was evident by the filters
of the young ladies, the grins of the
men, and the subdued smiles ~of the
dowagers, that my story was known.
The colonel had told it as good joke
to the major, who had whispered it to
his wife, she had breathed it into the
ear of two of her friends, and in about
ten minutes every person in the room
knew a young subaltern had very un-
willingly gone his rounds in his night
shirt.
As long as stayed in that garrison
was standing joke. When the girls
saw me they always looked away and
smiled, and it seemed as impossible for
of them as for a clown to preach SER
mon. They even seemed to be afraid
fo dance with me, fearing, as I after
wards heard, to look at my legs, lest
I might be deficient in some article of
raiment.
soon exchanged and went into an
other regiment ; and years afterwards
heard my own adventure related in a
crowded drawing room, allof the details
of the story being true except, the name
of the prisoner-my misfortune having
been attributed to another unfortunate
fellow.
never went to bed on guard after
that night.