, 1875-08-01
WAR AND OPIUM.
A story Told by an Ex-K che

A story Told by nm Ex-Kcbe1.-;
Lieutenant,n said the Adjutant, report to
the Colonel at hia. quarters instantly"
Stop. Ad1utant! What's ups" asked the
Lieutenant
Don't know, on honor" WAS the reply.
"Gen. Gordon was here Yesterday, and has Just
called again. The Colonel gave me the wink to
sep out It's big job, though, I'm thinking,
Tie young officer hastily uniformed and re-
ported. The grav-headed Colonel met h1m st
his tent door, closed 1t carefully, and, handing
stool, said in low tone:
''Fhls is dazk evening, my boy, and have
dark work for you. Con. Gordon asked me yes
terday, in our confidential interview, il had an
officer whose Beif-controi aud control over his
men could implicitly rely on in grsat danger.
I said yeB,-named you. lie has Just left here,
and you will report at bis headquarters at sunset
for most diticuis role,-tho command OF an
outlying picket The enemy will certainly flank
Us tonight and if be gets the position which
our lack of reiuforcements has hitherto prevent
cd us assuming we will be subjected to disastrous
retreat and certain loss. You raae your life in
your hacd, ny boy, but in post OF great
honor. have no fears. Get ready 1t ouce"
The young officer thanked his superlor, re-
turned to his tent and, having carefully equip
ped himself, scriobled few lines to his loved
ones explaining matters, aud pra7iug them not
to grieve il he ell,-he would fall bravely il ut
all, and, besides. they knew life to him MAS
burden (how heavy, alas only the opiuu-eater
knows); and then having sealed the letter-in-
dorsed :" to be delivered II I fall'-he knelt down
and committed himself and hid all, unto Him
who neither slumbereth nor Bleepeti, and with
whom there are no accidents.
The brave old Colonel showed only too plainIy
in throwing his ovn canteen Of brandy over
"the boys" shoulders and nervousiy pushing
him from his embrace that he feared it would be
their last embrace on earth.
jumping in An ambulance the Lieutonan. soon
lrfa v4r{n n hsa
at the appointed hour, 10 p. M, was safe in
command Of the picket force. Two hours after
whist on the round, he felt the time had now
come to strengthen himself with customary
d0ae 4f ,g h do9 He
OF horrors! IN his haste be had c1me of and
left the morphine in his valise He saw thxt he
was ruined undone, and his disgrace Inevitable.
What should he dor Heavens the tortures Of
that hour! moments reaection-he knows it
TINT in hour, without it, his voice. now clear,
encouraging, commanding, would be as shrill
and cseaky as that of an old woman ripe for the
grave, and Rs wholly untitled for command.
But one course is left, thought he-throw up the
sponge aud make q full e1poee. ITO the rear"
cried be to 3 Corporal; ito tho rear quickly,
and tell Maj: P: to meet me At the centre > in
fifteen minutes"
Mai. P. and the trembling Lieutenant meet.
Major" he whispers, lyon must relieve me,
auu as ouce- du stck-Vefy Ill.
''Relieve yeu. Lieutenant" responded tho |
brave Major. sternly, "relieve you, sir--neyer.
Sick ?-the devil I! Grin and bear it; be man. |
Retire now aud you are eternally diugraced-she |
stigma coward ever yours and you know it. !
You astound me beyond measure, and unless |
Fou cover yourself with glory tonight, as We all
believe, shall have you arrested and tried-5ou |
snow Of what"
*'Maior!" shrieked the whisper back "stop
listen! am confirmed oplum-eatar; left
ny morphine in my tent, forgot it,-and am |
low suffering for the internal drug"
Mai P. sprung from his horse in IN in
tant. ''Wlll crude opium do you?" he
Lsked.
"Yes; can make it answer"
He pulled ont half pound Of the crude
tun from oil siik, aud cut OF big hunk
''Et tu, Brute, Mator"
"Yea," be responded. II use it too, sad know
low to sympathizo with ron- With it we are
!evils in cool coursge-without it. cringing vas
ais. God help us! You will do now, I
nov" 49,
And the young officer did "do." Two hours
fter the advance guard of the enemy vas
trongly repui8ed. The Toe saw he bad oeen be-
rayed-that the Rebs we're prepared for him,
nd after hot fire, sn1|en1y retired; and the
instead Of retreating, advanced At
aJight next morning.