Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-07-18

Doubledck's own lips, that he dropped
down upon his knee, kissed that officers
hand, arose, and went out Of the light of
the dark, bright eyes an altered man.
In that year. one thousand seven hun
dred and ninety-nine, the French were in
Egypt, in Italy, in Germany, where not?
Napoleon Bonaparte had likewise begun
to stir against us in India, and most men
could read the signs Of the great trouble
that was coming on. In the very next
year we formed an alliance with Austria
against him. Capt. Taunton's regiment
was on service in India. and there WAS not
II finer non-commissioned officer in it-no,
nor in the whole line-than Corporal
Richard Doubledck.
In the year eighteen hundred and one,
the Indian army were on the coast of
Egypt. Next year was the year of
proclamation of the short peace, and
they were recalled. 1t had then become
well known to thousands of men that
wherever Capt. Taunton, with the dark,
bright eyes, led, there, close to him, ever
at his side, firm us IL 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 Double
dick.
Eighteen hundred and five, besides be-
ing the great Year Of Trafalgar, was n
year of hard fighting in India. That year
saw such wonders done by sergeant
major, who cut his way single-handed
through solid mass of men, recovered
the colors of his regiment, which had been
seized FROM the hand of II poor boy shot
through the heart, and rescued his wound
ed captain, who was down, and in II very
Jungle Of horses shoes and sabres; saw
such wonders done, l say, by this brave
sergeant major, that he was especially
made the bearer of the colors he had won
and Ensign Richard Doubledick had risen
from the ranks.
Sorely cut up in every battle, but always
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 breasls-the regiment fought itseli
through the Peninsula war, up to the in
vestment of Badajos in eighteen hundred
and twelve. Again and again it had beer
cheered through the British ranks until thu
tears had sprung into mems eyes at thu
mere hearing of the mighty British voice
so exultant in their valor; and there wa
not drummer boy but knew the legend
that wherever the two friends, Mnjo
Taunton, with the dark, bright eyes, ant
Ensign Richard Doubledick, who was de-
voted to him, were seen TO 90, there the
.boldest spirits in the English army became
wild to follow.
One day, at Badajos-not in the grea
storming but in repelling II hot sally O
the besoiged upon our men at Work in tn
trenches, who had given away-the twt
officers found themselves hurrying forward
face to face, against II party Of French in
fantry, who made II stand. There was Il
officer at their head, encouraging his me
ii courageous, handsome, gallant office
OF five and thirty whom Doubledick say
hurricdly, almost momentarily, but say
well. He particularly noticed the office
waving his sword, and rallying his mel
with an eager and excited cry, when the
fired in obedience to his gesture, an
Maiar Taunton dropped.
IL WAS ONCl Ill ICu lullulCo lnOlC1
Doubedick returned to the spot where h
had laid the best friend man ever had. Oh
IL coat spread with wet clay. Major Taun
tons uniform was opened at the breast
and on his shirt were three little spots {
blood.
Dear Doubledick," said he, Il al
dying"
For the love of heaven, mo-" eXclaim
ed the other, kneeling down beside him
and passing his arm around his neck
raise his head. Taunton. My pre-
server. my guardian angel, my witness
Taunton! For Gods sake!'
The bright, dark eyes-so very, ver
dark now, in the pale tace-smiled upo
him; and the hand he had kissed thirtee
years ago laid itself fondly on his breast.
write to my mother. You will Sc
! home again. Tell her low we becam
friends. 1t will comfort her, US it comfort
me-"
: He spoke no more, but family signe
for moment towards his hair as it flu
tered in the wind The ensign understoo
him. He smiled again when he saw the
, and gently turning his face over on tn
, supporting arm us if for rest, died, wit
his hand upon the breast in which he ha
revived soul.
No dry eye looked upon Ensign Richar
Doubledck that melancholy day. II
f buried his friend on the field, and becam
II lone, bereaved man. Beyond his dut
b, he appeared to have but two remaining
+ cares in life } one, to preserve the it'll
packet OF hair he was to give to Taunton
mother; the other to encounter that Frenc
/ officer who had rallied the men undt
whose fire Taunton fell. A new legen
!, now began to circulate among our troop
+ it was that, when he and the French of
r Ger came face to face once more, the
: would be weeping in France.
The war went on-and through it WEI
d the exact picture of the French officer c
n the one side, and the bodily reality upc
Il the other-until the battle of Toulous
was fought. In the returns sent hon
Or appeared these words =" Severely woun
q cd, but not dangerously, Lieutenant Ricl
q ard Doubledick."
is At midsummer time in the year eightet
st hundred and fourteen, Lieutenant Richal
it Doubledck, now Drowned soldier seve
and thirty years Of age, came home
J. England invalided. He brought the ha
O with him, near his heart. Many FrenC
J. officer had he seen since that day; many
r. dreadful night in searching with men al
lanterns for his wounded had he relieve
y French officers lying disabled; but Il
D mental picture and the reality had new
h come together.
le Though he was weak and suffered pal
V, he lost not an hour in getting down
ii Frome in Somersetshire, where Taunton
mother lived. In the sweet, cOmpassio
- ate words that naturally present ther
of selves to the mind tonight, = he was
lie only son of his mother, and she was
+. widow"
d, 1t was Il Sunday evening, and the la
Ut sat at her quiet garden window, readil
IN the Bible, reading to herself, in II trem
le lous voice, that very passage in it, Us
I'd heard him tell. He heard the wore
young man, say unto thee, arise!
He had to pass the window; and l.
te bright, dark eyes of his debased til
seemed to look at him. Her heart tc
e. her who he was; she came to the dc
@ quickly and fell upon his neck.
| lie saved me from ruin, made me
Vt, human creature, won me from infamy II
70 shame. 0, God, forever bless him!
M He will, He will"
"He will" the lady answered. /" knt
v he is in heaven!"
e- Never from the hour when Privt
Richard Doubledick enlisted ut Chathi
lis had the Private, Corporal, Sergeant, S
in geant Major. Ensiun or Iieutannnt. hraa