Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-04-23
An Awkward Moment.


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An Awkward Moment.
Ycu must have been in some pretty
tight places at different times, Roger
We know what you got this cross for,
but I 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 a
London military club. Both had the
bronzed 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 minute or
two to his companions words. Appar-
emily they had called up many reminis
cences, few of which were agreeable, but
at last smile lighted up his features,
and he said:
eyes, old boy; I've very often thought
my life wasn't going to last a second
longer; but the most awkward moment
I ever put in wasn't in the field.n
"No1 Then presume it was when
you were besieged in the Residency dur
ing the mutiny2"
1T wasn't in action at all. 1t was on
board ship.n
"Wreck9"
'tNo. That is to say, the ship wasn't
wrecked, but 1 thought was"
''Tell me about it.''
s'Well, I don't mind. It's twenty
years ago, and the telling can't hurt any
one now. Still, you will understand
that the names I shall give you are not
the true ones, and you must promise not
to try to find out what those were"
'sAll right. I'll be content with the
story"
'sHere goes, then, " said Roger, settling
himself back in his chair. 'It occurred
just after we'd finished up the last of
those Indian imps. had pretty nearly
got over the wounds / received in the
affair for which the queen gave me the
cross, and I reported myself as fit for
duty. The colonel, however, bless his
old heartl wouldn't hear of it, and in
sisted on my taking years leave. There
was no canal in those days, and the
pleasantest way Of going home then
was by one of the fine clipper ships
round the Cape. I was fortunate
enough to get cabin to myself on board
the Winchester, of Greene's line. The
purser, 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 invalided
officers. two or three civilians,
and four ladies. / 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, well say. John
Smith, looked like one of the regular
navy. He wore uniform and sword,
and was very severe Of aspect and stiff
in bearing. found out afterward that
he was regular martinez, and the half
dozen midshipmen and the minor officers
stood in considerable awe of him. On
my being introduced, he favored me with
a formal grasp Of the hand, and jerked
out few words about having heard Of
me before.
We did not begin TO drop down the
river till the day was fairly advanced,
and had scarcely got my traps in order
when it was time to dress for dinner. In
those days the captain would have been
insulted if his passengers did not turn
out in full evening toggery. We soldiers
were seated at table in accordance with
our rank, and as had only just got my
company, I 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
fogies up at the top. But when had
got fairly settled into my place looked
toward the captain, and Immediately be-
gan to deplore my insignifcance. Seated
on his right was the prettiest girl / had
ever seen. Her eyes were-well, it's no
use my giving you an auctioneer's cata-
logue Of her charms. You just picture
your ideal, and she would come very
near it. All I knew was that was com
pletely knocked over. / am sure my
neighbors must have thought was
either surly or stupid, for / never ad-
dressed them, and I was scarcely con-
scious what replies made to their re-
marks All my attention was given to q
silent watching Of my new divinity, and
franticallv enyied the captain and q
bluff old colonel who were privileged to
sit beside her.
AS soon as dinner was over got
aold Of my friend Watson, and inquired
IA nnrne pf fha ro11noy lady