The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-11-01
A Human Bu@ln.

At one time an officer belonging to
one of the regiments stationed at Gil
braltar possessed a rather curious accom-
pishment. Placing his hand to his
mouth he was able TO initiate the sound
of a bugle with q force almost equal to
that of the actual instrument; and he
could play a tune, or sound any point
Of war, such as the advance" retreat"
''reveille," etc, so that any one would
imagine real bUgle TO be blown. In
those days there were no cabs and the
principal means of locomotion within
the garrison at night were donkeys-at
all events among the younger officers.
For the sake of fun, and without thought
of doing more harm than the playing
of hoax, the officer in question had
occasionally sounded q point of war
here and there; and two or three times
q cavalcade Of subalterns on their dom
keys had clattered past the convent (the
governors residence) with him in the
midst sounding the 'alarm," causing the
guard to turn ont, and creating consid-
cradle confusion.
Orders were issued that no one was
to blow a bugle without authority to do
so but, as the prohibition had no effect,
and 1t was clearly ascertslned by the
reports of sentries, etc, that one of the
officers was the culprit, the governor AS
semb1ed the various commanding Off
GERS in the garrison, and desired that
they would ask every officer In their re-
spective corps to say, upon honor,
whether he had blown bugle at night
in the streets, and report the replies to
h.v,, fnrCrironncc II pnnfaCCrnYt
were made and the practice so subver-
sive of discipline discontinued. When
it came to the turn of the officer III
question to reply TO his commanding
officers query, neither he nor his col
onel, nor the others standing by, who
knew ali about it, could refrain from
smiling rs hesaid
"No, sir; upon my honor, / have not
blown bugle in the streets at night
since / have been at Gibraltar"
"Wel," said the colonel, when all the
officers had answered, ''but the govern
or is dreadfully vexed, and so tie thing
must stop; if / find an opportunity |
viii explain it to him and ease his
mind"
When the commanding officers
| brought their reports, and one aft an
other stated that every officer, upon his
honor, denied having blown a bugle in
| the above circumstances the governor,
distinguished general, who was the
soul of honor, goodness and kindness,
was very much affected.
"Oh, gentlemen" he said, "this isyery
sad, very terrible! 1t is not the act it.
self, the breach of discipline-that We
can easily take measure to discover and
prevent; but it is that there must be
| one among us who, bearing her Maj
esty's commission, does not scruple to
| tell falsehood upon his honor. | must
consider how to act in these painful
| circumstances"
When the other commanding officers
retired alter making their report, the
colonel of the regiment to which the of
| fender belonged remained, and, address
| ing the governor, said Il think, sir, L
can explain this matter to your salts
faction, can promise you that the an
noyance shall cease, and can show you
| that no falsehood has been told about
it" and then proceeded to inform him
of the extraordinary power possessed by
the officer in question.
| The governors surprise and delight
were unbounded.
What reliefp be exclaimed, 'But
l must hear HIM, and you must bring
him to dinner, ard he shall play me
tune"
So the affair was settled: the governor
heard the officer perform, and the gar
rison heard no more points of war.
| CHILDREN" said the Sunday school