The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-30
An Awkward NJ Moment.

An Awkward Moment.
uYcu must have been in some pretty
tirht places at different times, Roger
We Know what you got this cross for,
hut | suppose that the chances were
often very nearly as heavy against you"
The man who made this remark was
seated opposite his friend before the
cheerful fire in the smoking room of
London military club. Both had the
bonzed faces and prematurely- grizzled
hair which betoken long sojourns under
almost tropical skies. The one who had
been addressed as Roger" was slightly
the elder, and upon his broad chest bore
the tiny scrap of ribbon that indicated
that the wearer had won the most priced
of English decorations, the Victoria
Cross. He did not reply for a minute or
two to his companions words. Appar-
emily they had called up many reminis-
cences. few of which We're agreeable, but
at last smile lighted up his features,
and he said:
Yes, old boy; I've very often thought
my life wasn't going to last second
longer; but the most awkward moment
mo? Then | presume it was when
You were besieged in the Residency dur
ing the mutiny!"
board ship.'
"Wreck?"
NO. That is to say, the ship wasn't
wrecked, but thought was.
Tell me about it,
..NJa1 7 DON'T mind Tt'c fu
years ago. and the telling can't hurt any
one now. STILL you will understand
that the names l shall give you are not
the true ones, and you must promise not
to try to find out what those were"
-':Al right. I'll be content with the
story
Here goes, then, " said Roger, settling
himself lack in his chair. 1T occurred
just after we'd finished up the last of
those Indian imps. had pretty nearly
got over the wounds l received in the
affair for which the queen gave me the
cross, and l reported myself as fit for
duty. The colonel, however, bless his
old heart. wouldn't hear of it, and in
sisted on my taking years leave. There
was no canal in those days, and the
plcasantcst way of going home then
was by one Of the fine clipper ships
round the Cape. l was fortunate
enough to get cabin to myself on board
tie Winchester, of Greene's line The
rurser, Watson, / had met at some mess
dinners in Calcutta. and he promised to
make things as pleasant as possible. We
had very few passengers, mostly inyalided
officers. two or three civilians,
and four ladies' 1 saw three
of the ladies on deck when we
sailed. and none of them impressed me
as being specially charming. The cap
tain, whose name was, we'll say, John
Smith, looked like one of the regular
navy. He wore a uniform and sword
and was very severe of aspect and stiff
in bearing. / found out afterward that
he was a regular martinez, and the half
dozen m:dshipmen and the minor officers
stood in considerable awe of him. On
my being introduced, he favored me with
formal grasp of the hand, and jerked
cut few words about having heard of
me before.
1--WE did not begin to drop down the
river till the day was fairly advanced,
and had scarcely got my traps in order
when 1t was time to dress for dinner. In
those days the captain would have been
lnsulted if his passengers did not turn
out IN full evening toggery. We soldiers
were seated at table in accordance with
our rank, and as l had only just got my
company, was pretty well down toward
the foot, or purser's end This did not
at first feel inclined to regret, as the
prospect appeared that we should be a
little more free and easy than were the
io@ies up at the top. But when I had
got ialrly settled into my place looked
toward the captain, and Immediately be-
gan to deplore my insigniicance. Seated
On his right was the prettiest girl l had
ever seen. Her eyes were-well, it's no
use my giving you an auctioneer's cata-
iogue of her charms. You just picture
Your ideal, and she would come very
near it. All knew was that 1 was COM
pietely knocked over. l am sure my
neighbors must have thought ] was
either surly or stupid, for never ad-
dressed them, and l was scarcely con-
Scious what replies l made to their re-
marks All my attention was given to a
lent Watching of my new divinity, and
l irantlcallv envied the captain and a
Gun old colonel who were privileged to
st beside her.
AS soon as dinner was over got
lold OF my friend Watson, and inquired
me name of the young lady
She's Miss Latimer,' he said
came out with us this voyage, suppose
ohiy Tor her health, since she's going
.i9nt back. Understand she's an orphan,
"lu got some money. Shall introduce
you.'
vi course jumped at the offer, and
very soon the magic words were spoken
T Tn'ch privileged me to speak to my idol.
lou see even now ge: enthusiastic and
.IImanhc IN my language when talk
too"C ner, SO you can imagine the condi-
~ i'h OF hopeless 'smitc' in which | was
,hen. ch Well, she proved to be just as
tnrng ming as she looked, and before ]
t,ssa daneo III for the night 1 was deeply
desperately in love.