River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-06-26
AN ARMY INCIDENT.
How an Officers servant Acted as the '.Grai
paundS

ROUNDS.
| As showing the attachment of some of
| of the military officers servants to their
masters, / 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" 1t 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 I'M
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 10 no purpose; the gentleman 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 drank, held him fast. The SER
want 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 upon his masters uniform,
sword, etc, already laid out for him to
put on. The master and servant were
about size; the clothing of the one fit
ted the other to perfection.
"There's no other plan,' said the SER
want to himself; s'it's an awful risk, but
I'll attempt it."
Hastily throwing of his clothing he
donned his masters regimentals-th
splendid uniform of the artillery, backed
on the sword, drew the heavy busby over
his brows, and casting an admiring look
at himself in the 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.
SEQ 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
subaltcrn officer in charge of the main
guard perhaps felt little nettled to have
his friendly salutation, after the guard |
had been TUNED in, responded to so
gruffiy
On returning to the quarters the SER
want found his master still sleeping. I'm
able to resist the temptation to admire
himself once more in the glass, the SER
want paraded up and down the room, cast |
ing sidelong chances at the mirror. |
While so doing the officer awokc. He
was not little surprised to see what APP
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 OIL the spurred |
boots, Invested himself of other articles |
of uniform in their order, and then, heav |
ing sigh, said;
''Its id we'll over
II should think it is" cried the officer;
''what d We mean, you rascal, ny putting |
yourself into my uniform, eh2''
II didn't know you We're 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 !
at his watch.
''Half past 4 My Cd. I'm ruined
Then, turning 10 the servant, he said
Now then, why didn't you call me at
/ o'clock? Do you know what you've
done2'
"Sir, / might as well have tried to
awaken dead man | used every means
to awake you, and you will see by the
stains of your linen that / even deluged
your head with water.
TOO 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 grand
rounds tonight, and acted the part so
we'll that not soul suspected but that it
was you. Now you know why I have on
your uniform
The officer stared at his man mo-
ment.
''Do you mean to say you have person
ated me and taken the guardsl"
Yes, sir; that's it. i persOnated
you"
The officer grasped the servants hand
"Ashton," said he, ''you. have done me
great service to night. | shan't for
get it.
Nor did he forget it, and the servant
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 his cups to some of
his associates. The story was too good
a one to keep, and it quickly spread over
the garrison. The authorities, however,
paid no attention to it, and the officer
did not suffer from the expose:
A Portuguese Heroine.