The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-06-25

Not long since an officer of rank
in the U. S. Artillery at q frontier
port was named in garrison orders as
the officer of the day. As the grand
rounds it was bis duty to visit the
garrison guards at night Having
sat pretty late at mess and being fond
of the bottle, bis gait was very un-
steady when be lose from he table to
proceed to his quarters to dress for
duty. Before dressing be threw him
self on his bed, saying:
"I'l just snatch half an hours
sleep call me at O'Clock.
At | O'Clock the servant attempted
to rouse him, but without effect. The
servant got til. officer upon his feet,
shook him, applied wet cloths to his
head, but all to no purpose the gen.
tleman had been going on short al
lowance Of sleep for q week, and
now nature had taken hold of him,
and being backed by the wine he
drank, held him fast. The servant
was almost frantic, knowing well the
consequences that would ensue if his
master did not maket the grand rounds.
While wondering what course to pur-
sue bis eyes fell upon bis masters
uniform, sword, etc, and 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
perfectionI
There's no other plan" said the
servant to himself; tits an awful
risk, but III attempt it,"
Hastily throwing off HE clothing,
be donned his masters regimentals-
the splendid uniform Of the artillery
buckled on the sword, drew the heavy
busby over his brows, and casting an
admiriDg look at himself in the glass,
notwithstanding his anxiety. locked
the door upon his master and went
ou.. The orderly was waiting in
the barrack guard room and turned
out with the guard to present him.
self.
go ahead" said the. pseudo Off
Ger.
(Which guard first, sir ?"
"The magazine guard"
The orderly led the way. Guard
after guard was visited. and the SER
want began to enjoy the masquerade.
1t was something unusual for him to
be announced as grand rounds"
and to have q 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 q little nettled
to have his friendly salutatiou after the
guard had been turned in, responded
to so grufay.
On returning to the quarters the
servant found his master still sleep
ing. Unable to resist the temptation
to admire himself once more in the
glass, the servant paraded up and
down the room, casting sidelong
glances at the mirror. While so do
ing the officer awoke. He was not a
little surprised to see what appeared
to be himself strutting up and down
the apartment. He soon discovered,
however, that the apparition was his
servant, and, anxious to know what
the unusual masquerade was for,
kept quiet. The servant after W or
three turns sat down and ~leisurely
drew off the spurred boots. Invested
himself of other articles of uniform 10
their order, and then, heaving a Sigh,
said:
"It's well over"
II should think it is" cried the Of
icer; "what dye mean, you rascal,
by putting yourself into my uniform,
eh ?"
81 didn't know you were awake,
sir; do you know what time it isy"
The officer had forgotten that he
was on duty, but it now flashed up
on him at once. Jumping from the
bed he looked at his watch.
Half past 4! Ny God, I'm
ruined! %
Then turning to the servant, be
said:
"Now then, WHY didn't you call
me at | O'Clock? Do you know
what you have donew
"Sir, | might as well have tried to
awaken a dead man. l used every
means to awaken you, and you will
see by the stains On your linen that
/ ever 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 up! The
grand rounds visited the guards ;
everything is correct. Just make
out your report as if you bad taken
the guards"
"Wbst dye mean"
al mean that l have been the
grand rounds tonight, and acted the
part so well that not q soul suspect
ed but that it was you. Now you
know why / had on your uniform"
The officer stared at his mar a
moment.
"Do you mean to say that you
have pe~rsonated me and taken the
guards"
ayes, sir, that's it. ] personsted
you"
The officer grasped the servants
hknd.
ashton" said he, "you have done
me q great service tonight. shsn't
forget it."
MOI did be forget it, aud the ssgv-
ant kept his counsel SO well that the
incident would never have become
known but for the officer himself, who
blurted it out one evening while in
bis cups to some Of his associates.
The story was too good a q to
keep, and it quickly spread over the
garrison. The authorities, however,
paid no attention to it, and the officer
did not suffer from tie expose.
Horace Greeiey's shoe Leather.