Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-05-21
AN ARMY INCIDENT,
How an omcsts Servant Acted as the
"erand Rounds"

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 il 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 unsteady when he rose from the
table to proceed to his quarters to
dress for duty. Before dressing he
threw himself on the bed, saying;
"Il Just snatch half an hours
sleep; call me at l o'clock
Al o'clock the servant attempted
to rouse him, but without effect
The servant got the officer upon his
feet, shook him, applied wet clothes
TO his head, but all to no purpose the
gentleman had been going on short al
lOwance Of sleep for a week, and now
nature had taken hold Of him, and,
being backed by the wine he drank,
held him fast. The servant was al
most frantic, knowing we'll the conse-
quences that would ensue if his mas
ter did not make the grand rounds.
While wondering what course to pur-
sue his eyes fell upon his masters
uniform, sword, etc, all ready laid
out for him to put on. The master
and servant were about a size; the
clothing of the one fitted the other to
perfection.
There's no other plan, said the
servant to himself; tits an awful
risk, but I'll attempt it."
Hastily throwing off his clothing he
donned his masters regimentals-the
splendid uniform of the artillery,
buckled on the sword. drew the heavy
busby over his brows, aud 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
barracks guard room, and turned out
with the guard to present himself.
Go ahead y 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 a guard present arms to him.
There was no suspicion that the mas
ter and the man had changed places
for the time being, although the sub
altern officer in charge of the man
guard perhaps felt a little nettled to
have his friendly salutation, after the
guard had been turned in, responded
to so grufHy.
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 uD and Down
the room casting sidelong glances at 4
mirror. While so doing the officer
awoke. He wa not a little surprised
to see what appeared to be himself
strutting up aud down the apartment.
He soon discovered, however, that the
apparition was his servant, and, anx-
iOus to know what the unusual mas
masquerade was for, kept quiet. The
servant, after two or three turns. sat
down and leisurely drew off the
spurred boots, Invested himself of
ether articles of uniform in theirorder.
aud then, heaying a sigh, said:
Its id well over"
" should think it is" cried the
officer what dye mean, you rascal,
by putting yourself into my uniform,
ell ?
81 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 at his watch.
Half past A. My God, I'm ruined"
Then, turning to the servant, he
said
Now then. why didn't you call me
at ! o'clock? Do you know what
you've done 2"
"Sir, | might as we'll have tried to
awaken a dead man. l rsed every
means to awaken 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 up The
grand rounds visited the guards
everything is correct. just make out
your report as if you had taken the
guards"
What dye mean?"
II mean that | have been the grand
rounds tonight, and acted the part
so well that not a soul suspected but
that i was you. Now you know why
bad on your uniform.
The officer stared at his man a mo.
ment.
DO you mean to say that you have
p%ersonated me and taken the guards2'
Yes, sir that's it. / ~personated
i, The officer grasped the servant
hand.
! Ashton said he, " you have don,
me a great service tonight. / shan
forget it,"
II. Nor did he forget it, and the servan
2 kept his counsel 50 we'll that the Incl
1 dent would never have become know
but for the officer himself, who blurt
ed IL out u evening while ia III
cups TO some Of bis associates. Tn.
story was too good a one 10 keep. an,
II quickly spread over the garrison
c The authorities, however, paid no at
c tention 10 it., and the officer did no
t suffer from the expose.