The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-04-23
FABLE THE sECOyD-Coyr1yrED.


sergeant vas not man TO be easily
convinced of being wrong, and the
force of practical argument was alto
gether on bis side. Everything depend
ed on the zplucky Dick Blackthorn get
ting clear--and he could not be any
thing Ike yet beyond catching But ii
Stephen allowed himself to be caught,
Dick would be safe at the Half Moon
long before the error could be discover
ed, a1d he himself, as soon as he was
discharged as the victim of mistaken
identity, could follow him without much
delav
Il see there's no deceiving goa, ser
geant.' said he.
None whatever. So-quick, March,
All, It's aisy 10 see you've never teen
under my hands. my lad, or It's not the
gOose-stcp y'cught to be learning, raw
recruit as V are
Innocent or not innocent, il is no
agreeable sensation to be led through
the streets of Il country town stripped
and bareheaded, and with scarlet uni
forms and fixed bayonets and loaded
muskcts on each side. Fortunately for
his feelings on that score, Stephen Iiar-
low was not known to soul in Hun
chester; 50 that tlc ljt.le BOYS and gir's
who danced around the party in shy de-
ris;On, and with that Joy in others
misery which is one of untamcd child
hood chirfeSt charms, could not make
much impress or upon his philosophy.
He was 10 humOriSt; but there was =
queer flavor approaching TO humo~ As
he passed, in lhi- plight. where he had
bought the rim. row for safety on the
middle Joint of his own little finger.
For there stood the ;cwcler himself to
see the new fun. Stephen was tempted
TO throw him Il mol of recognition, Just
10 a,toni>h him; hui thought it "a the
whole more suitable TO his part On
which he was b '@iIning to take some
prida) to refrain from such Insult TO 4
respectable trado>man.
Presently he was marched into
stable at the back of Il small public
house. where he sat upon an empty
-cnrn-che,t. and listened to the tramp If
the sentry pos ed over him. Well, the
adventure could not last much longer
now. But after he had heard the church
clock chime the quarters thr.cn. he
began to think that the one was getting
dead IDLY long; and he struck with his
fist on the door.
Il say. nv man." he called out TO
the sentry, ''how long am 10 be kept
herc2''
But there was no answer; perhaps a
sentry on duty was not allowed con-
versat;on with prSon But when
the hours passed without an event save
= change of guard over the stable door,
q certa n amount of anxiety began 10
Iningln with mere impotence. How
long had Dick Bl&cilthorn been 1T the
Half Moon? What mischief would he
be getting into, left to himself so long?
For thcr" must needs be horses at an
inn: and women, too.
Howcvc-, the door was opened at
last. and by the light OF lantern, for
1t was now past twilight. Stephen WAS
marched through The s;able-yard in >i-
lencc. and into Il room in the inn. from
It's appearance used for club meetings
and such things. Ani, by the li<ht of
4 pair of candle, he saw himself in
presence of three gentlemen in scarlet.
with cpaulctteS, sa>heS, cooked hats and
swords. These wcge seated, with
papers and bottle of wine before
them; VIII lie the Irish sergeant stood at
attention near the door.
The eldest and most imposing of the
officers glanced quickly at the prisoner.
''1our report, sergeant. said he.
land be sh-short" \ very decided
h;ccough married the dignity of the lat
word. MeSseS We're meSSes in those
fighting times.
" Richard Blackthorn. sorr; of Can
Rayleigh's company; listed nj Hills
borough last Friday. and deserted on
the march to-day. Found shulking in
a ditch by me. =
Appearances are against me, sir.
must own said Stephen. But Meth
er have / ever enlisted, nor IS my name
either Richard or Blackthorn. | am
Stephen Harlow, 4 land surveyor ut
Milport-''
The devil you are!" said the officer,
with stare.
Its wise recruit, Major. that
Others, with a smile.
"Wel. said the Major. there's no
time to lose; and no spare men to lose
either.-Mildmay- guilty or not guilty?
Smith? The prisoner is guilty of de-
.sertion on the m-marcn. Fifty lashes
in presence of the regiment And. let
me warn you, what's your name-Pri-
waite Richards-it viii be death chen
we're across the sea-"
Stephen could only stare. But,
bless you, sir, am not the man.
Prove it. then. \ surveyor?-a
lawyer, you mean.-But time 5 precious;
-coHfound YOU, be quick. and don waste
the time of the court over your pock
cts
For Stephen had letters and such like
things about him that would ha'e been
proof; but-hang it all.-they were in
the coat that was at the Hall Moon.
Now regimental court martial (fOr
such was this tribunal) is VIGOROUSLY
the most formal and the most Just
among all courts where justice is never
allowed 10 be over-ridden by law or
equity; especially equity. But Is is
not 'WaS," and it was WAS" when
Stephen Harlow appeared before Major
Squire And, though fewer and fewer /
can remember them, very queer things /
indeed used TO be done in marching
regiments in time of war, both at home |
and abroad. Over the drumhcad no /
body was very precise about forms. and /
heard. And it so happened that this !
regiment was both pressed for time and /
short Of strength; part of it had already /
embarked, and the remainder, under 4
this Major Squire, was following close |