Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-05-30
The Sergeant's Stratagem

The Sergeant's Stratagem
''Oh, John, dear" and the wife OF
John Edgeworth ran into the little
parlor where he was seated thought
fully, before the fire, one December
night, Zone of the soldiers that have
just come into town has been billeted
upon u.s.
''Send Nancy out to the Prince
Arms, and engage bed for him, Mary, y
he quietly said. I've can't have him
here, and Matte, poor child. going to
be married tonight
"0h. bless your heart, John, this
isn't a common sOldier.-He's a SER
geant, and one would thing, from the
way he strutted in. that he was a col
Onel. When | proposed to get bed
for him outside. he bridled up, and
said, with as much authority as if he
was talking to a landlady, If you can't
accomodate me with a bed can pass
the night on the rug before the parlor
fire \ soldier, you know, can sleep
soundly. however hard his bed. So
here I'll stay SAYS he"
"And here I'll stay" echoed laugh
ing voice; and the speaker, a tall,
manly fellow, attired in the dress of a
British sergeant, strobe into the room.
The fact is, sir" he continued, adj
pressing john Edgeworth' Il am in
clined to think, either your good lady
must be most unloyal subject Of his
most gracious majesty, King William,
in denying a welcome to one Of the pill
lars Of his throne. or that, tonight, at
least, she is unwilling to lay an offer
ing at the feet Of that beautiful house
sold-god, hospitality"
Here one of the pillars Of King Will
liam's throne dropped majestically into
a chair, complacently stroking, as he
did so. beard and mustache dark and
luxurious.
"My good man. John Edgeworth
replied, "mv wife and myself have
always regarded and fulfilled, as
pleasing duty, the entertainment Of
soldier billeted upon IL; but tonight,
the presence Of any one beyond our
stall family circle must prove embar-
KISSING 10 the extreme. Ny daughter
is 70 be married 10 night and"
"Oh. do not imagine for q moment,
my good cir" interrupted the sergeant,
THAT shall find my situation embar-
rassing. assure sou. am always at
my csss. And a wedding! Of all
thing. exc, pfing of course the delicate
amusement II battle field, q wedding
delights a soldier"
I'VE must endure his society, Mary"
John EdgewOrib said in low tone 10
he wife. "Do not let II annoy you,
nv dear. for Mattie's sake BE- cheerful.
f. Amy with herr"
"she Il. F" answered hIs wife, signing
dsepIy ~ she spoke. "God bless Amy
Bradley"
"God ble,s her." John Edgewortb
said.
"G0d bless her," ecbOed the sergeant,
spd continued rapidly. "Ycs, God bIess
sli - qood ~ sbeis. T. she your daugh-
tsT, sirT'
"sbe ls not. John Edgew0rfb sisrBly
said. "ABd remember, NY man, though
We are compelled ~ give you shelter
for ne night, any further ipperiiDence
On your part VII be reported ~ your
ofiiceT."
pardon my inpertiBeBee. then" re-
piied fie scFgeanfs and be sOfieBed
t0ps arrested the sieDs n tbe couple. ~
fhey were leayfBg fbs roam, "aDd bear |
me for . moment. Perhaps you both |
have llfne cofuer IN your memories
occupied by ne dear Oig room iD your
ebildb60d's home, where yop used -
flf during fbs long, Wild winter nights
before . gre, blazing away as Dsrriiy |
- tist one OVeT there L. blazing nov
aBi watch The Bames "a they bDrst
foHh from their prison aud sbed u faint
sp.egdOr through the rOOD-I think /
y0u have. Almost everyone has,
Know tLaf have, aud Tonight when
was passing the gindos here, aud saw
the light Of tbst pleasant fire streaming |
through the shutters, the shadow Of
many sorT0wful years was lifted from
nay heart. l was again happy boy,
sltting a. MY dear mothers feet my |
head upon her knee, ana tTaeing with
wondering eyer the quaint pictures OF
tse flames. WsiI for you, poor fellow
thinks !, 10 keep This memory fresh |
Tonight" And 20 entered here.
have been rude, bat pardon the rough
ness Of a soldier
Mrs. Edgeworth burst into tears.
"Bid the poor fellow stay, John, she |
sobbed.
And John Edgeworth, with falter-
ing voice, welcomed the sergeant, for
both husband and wife saw again in
that same room, little boy kBeeling
before the fire searching with earnest
ewes the secrets of its bright mysteries.
When he was left alone, the sergeant
drew his chair over 10 the window and
SAT down there. He had scarcely done
so, when the door was opened, and
Young girl entered the room. She did
not notice his presence there, for she
went over TO the fire, and remained
standing before it. Her face was partly /
toward him. and the sergeant gazed
upon it with deepening interest. lt
told its own story-that sweet face
palmer than many words it told that,
lovely as it was, sorrowful tears had
marred its gentle beauty: and though :
how a smile Frightened over it, that !