Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-25
Daily Nennrbrr SournaL.
RIcHARD DOUBLEDlCK.
BIZ CHARLES DICKENS.

h.
but il was sealed up. He had been be-
trothed TO a young and beautiful girl
whom he had loved better than sheer
perhaps even be-believed but in AT
evil hour he had given her cause to say tc
him solemnly, Richard, will never mar.
nv any other man. | will live single fol
your sake, but Mary Marshal's lips'-he
name was Mary Marsball-"shall never
address another word to you on earth
Go. Richard Heaven forgive yonsn
This fuished him. This brought BAL
down to Chatham. This made Private
Richard Doubledick. with determination
to be shot.
He associated with the dregs of every
regiment: be was AS seldom sober as he
could be, aud was constantly under pun
ishment. 1t became clear 20 the whole
barracks that Private Richard Doubledick
would very soon be nogged.
Now the captain OF Richard Double
dicks company was young gentleman
not above FIVE years his senior, whose
eyes had an expression in them which at
fected Private Richard Doubledick in a
very remarkable way. They were bright,
handsome, dark eyes-what are called
laughing eyes generally, aud, when Sc
rious, rather steady than severe-but they
were the only eyes left in this narrowed
world that Priva.e Richard Doubledick
could not stand Unabashed by evil re-
port and punishment, defiant of every
thing else. and every body else, he had
but TO know that these eyes looked at him
for a moment, and he iet ashamed. He
could not so much as salute Capt. Taunton
in the street like any other officer. He
was reproached and coniused-troubled
by the mere possibility of the captains
looking at him, In his worst moments he
would rather turn back, and go any dis
lance out of his way, than encounter those
two handsome, dark, bright eyes.
One day. when Private Richard Double
dick came out of the Black Hole, where
he had been passing the last eight and
forty hours, and 10 which retreat he spent
good deal OF his time, he was ordered
TO betake himself to Capt Tauntons quar-
tiers. In the stale aud squalid state OF II
man just out the Black Hole, he had less
fancy than ever for being seen by the cap
tain; hut he was not so mad yet as TO DIS
obey orders, aud consequently went up
10 the terrace overlooking the parade
ground, where the officers quarters were
twisting and breaking in his hands, as he
went along, a bit OF the straw that had
formed the decorative furniture of the
Black Hole.
"Come in" said the captain, when he
knocked with his knuckes at the door.
Private Richard Doubledick pulled off his
cap, took q stride forward aud felt very
conscious that he stood in the light OF the
dark, bright eyes.
There was silent pause. Private
Richard Doubedick had put the straw in
his mouth, and was gradualIg doubling it
up into his windpipe and choking him
self.
"Doubledick.' said the captain, edo
you know where you are going to?'
ITO the devil, sir ~ faltered Double
dick.
Private Richard Doubledick turned tho
straw OF the Black Hole in his mouth, and
made a miserable salute OF acquiescence
"Doubledick," said the captain, "since
l entered his Majesty's service, a boy OF
seventeen, have been panied to see many
men OF promise going that road; but
have never been SO panied TO see man
determined TO make the shameful journey
as have been. ever since you joined the
regiment, to see you"
Private Richard Doubledick began to
find film stealing over the floor at which
he looked; also TO find the legs of the cap
tain's breakfast-table turning crooked, US
II he saw them through water.
81 am only common soldier, sir"
said he. ut signifies very little what such
poor brute comes to-"
You are man." returned the captain,
with grave indignation, 'of education aud
superior advantages; and if you say that,
meaning what you say, you have sunk low
er than / had believed. How low that
must be, leave you to consider; knowing
what know OF YOU disgrace, and seeing
what see"
81 hope to get shot soon, sir" said Pr-
vate Richard Doubledick land then the
regiment and the world together will be
rid OF me-"
The legs of the table were becoming
very crooked. Do1bledick, looking up TO
steady his vision, met the eyes that had 50
strong an influence over him. He put his
hand before his own eyes and the breast
OF bis disgrace jacket swelled as if it
would fly asunder.
81 would rather" said the young cap
tain. "see this in you, Doubledick, than to
see five thousand guneas counted Out up
on this Table for gilt 10 my good mother
Have you mother"
II am thankful To say she is dead, sir -
''lf your praises" returned the captain,
were sounded from month to mouth
through the whole regiment, through the
whole army, through The whole country,
you would wish she had lived to say, with
pride and joy, He is my son
spare me. Sir, - said Doubledick. "She
would never have heard any good of me.
She would never have had any pride and
Joy IN owning herself my mother. Love
and compassion she might have had, and
would have always had, | know; but not
-. Spare mt, sir | am Il broken
wretch, quite at your mercy!" and he
turned his tace to the wall, and stretched
out his imploring hand.
My friend" began the captain.
"God bless you, SIR sobbed Private
Richard Doubledick.
You are at the crisis of your fate
Hold your course unchanged, Il little Ion.
ger. and you know what must happen.
know even better thaa you can imagine
that. after that has happened you are lost
No man who could shed those tears could
bear those marks"
II July believe il sir" in a lou shivar