Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-05-23
AN ARMY-INCIDENT.
How an officers Servant acted as the
''tirand Rounds"
Boston Commercial Bulletin.

of the military officers servants to their
masters, will relate an incident which
occurred in a 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 dpty to visit the garrison guards
at night. Having sat pretty late at mess
and being fond of the bottle his gait was
very unsteady when he rose from the
table to proceed to his quarters to dress
for duty. Before dressing he threw him
self en- his bed, saying:
"I'll just snatch halt an hours sleep;
call me ut | o'clock"
At o'clock the servant attempted to
rouse him, but without effect. The
servant got the officer upon his feet,
shook him, applied wet cloths to his
head, but all to no purpose; the gentle
man had been going on short allowance
of sleep for week, and now nature had
taken hold of him, and, being backed
by the wine he had drank, held him
fast. The servant was almost frantic,
knowing well the consequences that
would ensue if his master did not make
the grand rounds. While wondering
what course to pursue his eyes fell up
on his masters uniform, sword, etc., all
ready laid out for him to put on. The
master and servant were about q size;
the clothing of the one fitted the other
to perfection.
"There's no other PLAN" said the SER
want TO himself; "it's an awful risk, but
I'll attempt it"
Hastily throwing off his clothing he
donned his masters regimentals,-
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.
go ahead" said the pseudo officer.
(Which guard first, sil?"
sThe magazine guard"
The orderly led the way. Guard af-
ter guard was visited, and the servant
began to enjoy the masquerade. 1t was
something unusual for him to be an
nounced as grand rounds, and to have
n 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 Off
Ger i'll charge of the main guard per-
haps felt little nettled to have his
friendly salutation, after the guard had
been turned in, responded to so grutiiy.
On returning to the quarters the ser
want found his master still sleeping.
Unable to resist the temptation to ad-
mire himself once more in the glass, the
servant paraded up and down the room
casting sidelong glances at the mirror.
While so doing the officer awoke. He
was not little surprised to see what ap.
peared to be himself strutting up and
down the apartment. He soon discoy-
cred, however, that the appantion 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 oil
the spurred boots, Invested himself of
other articles of uniicrm in their order,
and then, heaving Sigh, said:
cts Id well over"
81 should think it is" cried the Off
Ger; what dye mean, you rascal. by
putting yourself into my uniform, eh?"
Il didn't know you were awake, sir;
do you know what time it ISL
The officer had forgotten that he was
on duty, but it now flashed upon him at
once. Jumping from the bed he looked
mt his watch.
"Ialf past Al NY Cd, I'm ruin
edw
Then, turning to the servant lie said;
"Now then, why didn't you call me
at ! o'clock? Do you know what you've
done?'
"Sir, | might as well have tried to
awaken II dead man. l used every
means to awake you, and you will see
by the stains on your linen that | even
deluged your head with water"
TOO late to take the guards now"
groaned the officer; the night has passed
away and day is breaking"
"Never mind, sir; cheer upl The
grand rounds visited the guards;
everything is corrected. Just make
out your report us if you had taken the
guards.
"What dye mean
Il mean that have been the grand
rounds tonight, and acted the part so
we'll that not soul suspected but that
it was you. Now You know why | had
on your uniform"
The officer stared at his man \ mo-
ment.
"Do you mean TO say that you have
personated me and taken the guards"
Eyes sir; that's it. | personated
you"
The officer grasped the servants
hand
ashton, said lie, you have done
me il great service tonight. shan't
forget il"
Nor did he forget if, and the servant
kept his counsel so we'll that the Incl
dent would never have become known
but for the officer himself, who blurted
it out one evening while in his cups, to
some Of his associates. The story was
too good one to keep, and it quickly
spread over the garrison. The authori-