Litchfield enquirer., 1881-06-30

&1pEI EUbul4lhA6I SpOAlS kuCbu. ,A4l tkH fest of the yeaq.i He lays dowh great great logs f5 feetlong, 6llihg in the spAcsap with dirt Pfes2h ently the dirt washes utsnldaving deep psruspl between the timDers. It is like travelling by steam on an0unballasted9 tfailroadd Tf6s sdc- cessi9n of rHts producesia kind, of enlminatingC effect in the bumps most dramatic l,and inTO tense. The first bump ia gentle and endur- able; the second strikes in before the, first Is over and with double effect; by. the time the, fourth rut is reached the wagon springs are meeting, and the traveller begins to feel like an animated pile driver. After two or three miles of this experience, and a final sensation like that following freshman initiation, the wayfarer, if wise, changes horsef1esh for hu- man legs.
 Six days among these scenes brought the week. of fun to close. On Saturday sthe blackboard and big wagon were loaded for the last time. and our faces were set toward the town. In few hours we boarded the train, which soon became crowded. Presently there was a bustle at one end of the dusky car A lady, pallid, and moist eyed, had lost her pocketbook. There was whisking of sk irts, a general turning of seats, and a asy.lpathetic brakeman brought in lantern. Polite gen. tlemen crowded up to aid the search. After ten minutes of confusion the excitement sud- denly euded. The lady had found her purse lin her pocket were it had been all the time. OuSL llkG d WOulhu, uluLLcTGu SOuc 0DC HI font of US. II have known men just as stu pid,' replied gentle being by his side. Thus were we reminded rudely that we had reached complete civilization. We had exchanged nature in the woods for human nature on the Q railroad; and our trip was ended. io a THE SENTINEL.-Just after the Fran co. Prussian war the Adjutant- Major of certain corps dint tanterte, in order to test new sen- try, who had been placed upon responsible post, approached, and affecting to have. for gotten the word, at length, by means of threats, prevailing on the ignorant soldier to allow him to pass without giving the word. This he immediately reported, the result be- ing that the poor young fellow was sentenced to be shot, this decision fortunately being commuted to banishment to Algeria by nfu, ence brought to bear upon high quarters. This Adjutant Major at length met with Il we'll merited rebuff, as the following nara. tve-the dialogue of which we give in Eng. lish-shows. Finding a newly joined man placed on a similar duty he determined to re- peat his former experiment. Fortunately, however, the sentry had already been warned by his comrades, and was resolved not to be outwitted. As the night wore on he observed the officer approaching alone, lantern in hand and at once challenged: "Who goes there - 'Off1cer of the guard !' at once came the re! sponse. Approach to the word, officer of the gard" continued the sentry. The officer approaching, said: Il have forgotten the word, and you must let me finish my round without it." But, forewarned, the only It. ply made by the sentry was "Ths word Stand back, or 1 fire." 'I have forgotten the word, tell you,'' persisted the olhcci Cant pass without the word," was the only answer made by the sentry as he kept 1im at bayonet's point. You know me perfectly" insisted the officer in tone of chagrin. Il am your officer-your Adjutant." II don't know you. Keep back, or l fire," was tie only reply vouchsafed him. "You dare n t fire on your superior; and as it is, will have you severely punished for thus detaining me from hy duty" So saying the officer seized hold of the bayonet, and endeayored to force his way past The sentry, once again shout. ing, "Stand back p drew away his bayonct and made as if to charge the officer. Step- ping back, the officer drew his sword and came on again, but was instantly disarmed by the sentry. Seizlng hold of the muzzle of the rifle he next cndeavored to wrest it from the sentry's grasp The sentry, being new to the corps, and knowing perfectly who his oppo- nent was refrained from firing, not knowing what the consequences might be of firing on his superior, even though the pass had been refused In the struggle, however, the rife went of, and the bullet whizzed past the officers ear, carrying with it piece of his head.dress. Half stunned, and utterly con fused by this unexpected turn of affairs, the officer lost his presence of mind, and actually took to his heels, and without refecting on the probable consequences of his act he repor- ted the fact of his being fired on by the sentry, who was immediately marched off to the guard-room a prisoner. Next morning q courr-martial was convened, and the sentry, after having been charged with firing on his suDeriOr was asked what defense he had lO make In few simple words he explained that he had been placed on duty at certain spot with strict orders not to allow anyone to pass without giving the countersign that an officer, whom he now recognized to be the Adjutant, had endeavored to force passage without giving the ord, aud on being proven, ted had seized his rife, which had gone off by accident. The Adjutant- Major on being in- terrogated, could not but admit the truth of this statement, and the Colonel, severe but just disciplinarian, amid the cheers of those present, gave judgement follows "The Adjutant will remain in his quarters during the next eight days, having unnecessarily en- deavored to cause private to perform . breach of duty. The name of Private D. will be entered on the ordres duj jour, and re- main there during the same period" This was equivalent to eight days Imprisonment for the officer and to the highest praise given to prlvates the entry in the 0rdres du jour be- ing read to the assembled regiment at each morning parade as follows: Monsieur le Colonel compliments Private Don the jealous performance of duty under the most trying circumstances This public rebuke to the officer had salutary effect. However, to his credit be it said, he never attempted in any way to molest the sentry for his share in the affair. .- Chambers Journal.