The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1885-08-20
AN AWKWARD MOMENT.
Harper's Weekly.

AN AVknAAD luVWLll.
Harper's Weekly
You must have been In some pretty
tight places Mt different times, Roger.
We know what you got the cross for,
but [ suppose that the chances were
often worry 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 q
London military club. Both had the
bronzed faces and prematurely grizzled
hair which betokens long soiourns I'M
der almost topical 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 that
most priced of English decorations, the
Victoria Cross. He did not reply for a
minute or two to his companions words.
Apparently they had called mp many
"reminiscences, few OF which we're agree
able, but at last smile lighted up his
featNes, 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
l ever put in wasn't in the field"
mo? Then l presume it was when
you were besieged in the Residency
during the Mutiny?'
1T wasn't in action at all. 1t was on
board ship"
"Wreck?"
No. That is to say, the ship wasn't
wrecked, but thought was
Tell ME about it."
We'll, | 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"
All right I'll be contenfwith the
story
Here goes, then" said Roger, set
thing himself back in his chair. at oc-
Cured Just after we'd finished up the
last of those black devils. [ had pretty
nearly got over the wounds I received
n the affair for which the Queen gave
ne the cross, and I reported myself as
tlfor duty. The colonel, however,
bliss his old heart. wouldn't hear OF it,
ant insisted on my taking years
Leave. There Was no canal in those
da-s, and the pleasantest way OF going
hone then-and I don't know that it
isrt now-was By one of the fine clip
Pc ships round the Cape. I was for
tnate enough to get cabin to myself
on board the Winchester, of Greene's
lip. The purser, Watson, had met
at3ome mess dinners in Calcutta, and
hepromised to make things as pleasant
as bossihle. We had very few passen-
gen, mostly lnvalided officers, two
or ihree civilians, and four ladies.
I aw three of the ladies on deck
wha we sailed, and none of them i'm
pressed ME as being specially charm
ing. The captain, whose name was,
We'll say, John Smith, looked like one
of tie regular navy. He wore uni
formand sword, and was very severe of
aSpeo and stiff in bearing. [ found
out steward that he was a regular
martiet, and the half dozen midship-
men nd the minor officers stood in con-
siderable awe of him. On my being
introdced, he favored me with q
forma grasp of the hand, and jerked
out afew words of having heard of me
befor.
wv did not begin to drop down the
river till the day was fairly advanced,
and I had scarcely got my traps in or
der wen it was time to dress for din
ner. In those days the captain would
have ecn insulted if his passengers did
not trn out in full evening toggery.
We sldiers were seated at table in ac-
cordace with our rank, and as
1 had only just got my company,
1 wa pretty we'll down toward the
foot, or purser's end. This I did
not first feel inclined to regret, as the
prospect appeared that we should be
littlenore free and easy than were the
fogiesup at the top. But when had
got fairly settled into my place, look
ed toWrd the captain, and Immediately
began to deplore my insignifcance.
Seatecon his right was the prettiest
girl nd ever seen. Her eyes we're
we'll, it no use my giving you an auo-
tioneer catalogue Of her charms. You
just pieure your ideal, and she will
come vey near it. All knew was that
[ was completely knocked over. / am
sure myneighbors must have thought
I was ether surly or stupid, for never
ADDRESSED them, and I was scarcely
consciou what replies made to their
remarks All my attention was given
to silert watching of my new divinity,
and l fantically envled the captain
and blff old colonel who were priv
LEGGED to it beside her.
"As SON as dinner was over l got
hold of mr. friend Watson, and inquired
the name # the young lady.
"'She's a Miss Latimer,' he said;
came out nth us this voyage, | sup
pose only br her health, since she's 60
ing right Jack. Understand she's an
orphan ant got some money. Dresses
we'll, at leat Shall introduce you ?"
"Of coure jumped at the offer, and
very soon he magic words were spoken
which privileged me to speak to my
idol. Yousee even now get enthusi-
astic and rsmantic in my language when
| talk about her, 30 you can imagine
the condition of hopeless ssmite' in
which I vas then. Well, she proved
to be just rs charming as she looked,
and before 7 turned in for the night /
was deeply, desperately in love.
II don't suppose there is any place in
the world 50 favorable for love making
as comfortable passenger ship. Not
one of these new ocean greshounds'
that rush at break neck speed through
all kinds of weather, and land you at
your destination almost before you have
time to know any one aboard, but a fine