Daily globe., 1879-06-22
AN ARMY INCIDENT.
How an Officers Servant Acted as the "Gr,na
Rounds"

AN ARMY INCIDENT.
How an Officers Servant Acted as the s'Gr,na
Rounds"
AS showing the attachment of some of
OF the military officers servants to their
masters, l will relate an incident which
occurred in garrison town in which the
writer was stationed for some time. An
officer Of rank in the artillery was named
In garrison orders as the officer of the
day. AS the "grand rounds" it was his
duty to visit the garrison guards at night.
Having sat pretty late at mess and being
fond OF the bottle his gait was very un-
steady when he rose from the table to
proceed to his quarters to dress for duty.
Before dressing he threw himself on the
bed, saying:
'I'll just snatch half an hours sleep:
call me at 1 O'clock
At o'clock the servant attempted to
rouse him, but without effect. The ser
want got the officer upon his feet, shook
him; applied wet cloths to his head, but
all to no purpose; the gentleman had
been going on short allowance of sleep
Tor week, and now nature had taken
hold OF him, and, being backed by the
wine he drank, held him fast The ser
want was almost frantic, knowing we'll
the consequences that would ensue if his
master did not make the grand rounds.
while wondering what course to pursue,
his eyes fell upon his masters uniform,
sword, etc.. already laid out for him to
put on. The master and servant were
about a size; the clothing Of the one fit
ted the other to perfection.
''There's no other plan," said the ser
want to himself; ''it's an awful risk, but
Ill attempt it,
Hastily throwing Of his clothing he
donned his masters regimentals- the
| splendid uniform of the artillery, buckled
on the sword, drew the heavy busby over
his brows, and casting an admiring look
at himself in the glass notwithstanding
his anxiety, locked the door upon his
master and went out The orderly was
waiting in the barrack guard room. and
turned out with the guard to present
himself
$50 ahead!'' said the pseudo officer.
(Which guard first, sir?'
''The magazine guard
The orderly led the way. Guard after
guard was visited, and the servant began
to enjoy the masquerade. 1t was some
thing unusual for him to be announced as
grand rounds, and to have guard present
arms to him. There was no suspicion
that the master and the man had changed
places for the time being, although the
subaltern officer in charge of the main
guard perhaps felt a little nettled to have
his friendly salutation, after the guard
had been turned in, responded to so
grutf1y.
On returning to the quarters the SER
want found his master still sleeping. Un-
able to resist the temptation to admire
himself once more in the glass, the SER
want paraded up and down the room cast
ing sidclong glances at the mirror.
While so doing the officer awoke. He
was not a little surprised to see what ap
peared to be himself strutting up and
down the apartment. He soon discov-
cred, however, that the apparition was his
servant, and, anxious to know what the
unusual masquerade was for, kept quiet
The servant after two or three turns sat
down and leisurely drew off the spurred
boots, divested himself Of other articles
of uniform in their order, and then, heav-
ing sigh, said:
1'It's ID we'll over"
II should think it is" cried the officer;
'what dye mean, you rascal, Ivy putting
yourself into my uniform, eh?"
II didn't know you were awake, sir;
do you know what time it is?'
The officer had forgotten that he was
on duty, but it now flashed upon him at
once Jumping from the bed he looked
at his watch.
''Half past 4! My Cd: I'm ruined
Then, turning to the servant, he said
3 "Now then, why didn't you call me at
, o'clock? Do you know what you've
done?"
"Sir, I might as we'll have tried to
awaken dead man. I used every means
to awake you, and you will see by the
, stains of your linen that l even deluged
your head with water
ssToo late to take the guards now,'
groancd the officer; "the night has passed
, away and day is breaking"
'Never mind, sir, cheer up! The
grand rounds visited the guards; every.
= thing is correct Just make out your re.
!. port as if you had taken the guards
"What dye mean?'
> II mean that have been the sgrand
= rounds' tonight, and acted the part SC
we'll that not soul suspected but that II
:, was you Now you know why have or
= your uniform
= = The officer stared at his man mo-
ment.
'sDo you mean to say you have person
y ated me and taken the guards?
= "Yes, sir; that's it. l personatet
Z you.''
= The officer grasped the servants hand
4 "Ashton," said he, "you have done M
. a great service tonight. l shan't for
get it."
Nor did he forget it, and the servan
:. kept his counsel so we'll that the inciden
would never have become known but TO
= the officer himself, who blurted it ou
. one evening while IN his cups to some
~ his associates. The story was too goo<
: one to keep, and it quickly spread owe
- the garrison. The authorities, however
- paid no attention to it, and the Office
~ did not suffer from the expose.