The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-09-15
Srlfrf Stury.
Captain Ellerton's Novice.
A Story Of the Last Afghan War.

"What, that fellow Joyce againp b,
Jove, that rascal's enough to corrupt
whole battalioni That's the eleventh
drunk and disorderly I've had ag aims
him his month. Nice example to th,
regiment. 'pon my word, just when we'r'
going to Afghanls!an upon active SER
vice! Give him twenty-four hours in the
chokey (the lock-up) and tomorrow II
see it agood dogging won't take th devi
out of him Bit"
So spoke, in an out-of-the. station
on the northwest frontier of British In
dia, Col. Sterne, OF the -th, on fine
spring morning of l841-that memora.
bic spring that was to usher in the sata
campaign which has been in the military
history OF England what the retreat from
Moscow is to France.
Having vindicated the majesty of Of
Tended discipline by the humane sen.
tence above quoted, the grim veteran fell
to bis early breakfast, with the satisfac-
ton of one who felt that be had done bis
duty. But he seemed fated to be inter.
rupted that morning; for be he had bare.
ly swallowed three mouthfuls of q carry
that would have burned any less season
ed palate like vitrioI, when tap at the
door was followed BY the entrance of q
handsome young fellow OF three and
twenty In the uniform OF captain of the
line.
"Helio, Frank, nv boy! just in time
for mouthful of the real stuff" cried
"Old Blazes" (as the men irreverentIy
styled him), Frightening up visibly at the
sight OF his favorite nephew, who al.
though the junior captain OF the regI-
ment had already proved himself the
worthy pupil of the stern old martinez
who loved him ss his own soul.
But Frank El:erton had evidently
weightier on his mind than
the tasting of his uncle's unrlvsled curry.
"Uncle jack" said bee entreatingly,
'you surely don't mean to fog that un-
fortunate young fellow. Joyce 2"
save. that do," growled Uncle Jack,
land I'm sorry l didn't do it long ago"
"Don't disgrace him like that, for
heavens sake" pleaded his nephew. "Ii
you do he'll just blow bis brains out, and
the regiment will lose good man.
"a good mann' echoed the Colonel
scornfully. "'Pon my word, Frank, if
| hadn't seen for myself what brains
you've got in that young noddle of
yours, should set you down as born
idiot. You ask me to let of the most
reckless, drunken, good-for-nothing dog
in the regiment, and you do 1t on the
ground that he is good man, forsooth |!
II any but you had done as much Id
have made short work of him; but let
me hear no more of this foolery"
And the hard old face settled into a
ook of stubborn opposition. which made
t appear grimmer than ever.
Ellerton allo wed the angry outburst to
,xpend itself and then said in low but
emphatic tone:
Uncle, do you remember the last
words nv mother spoke to you before
The died2'
The Colonel started and visible
remor shook his granite-hewn features.
Ellerton's mother had been his own ia
'Orite sister, and her memory was the
,ne vulnerable spot in the old soldiers
ron heart.
"She said," pursued the young officer,
If ever you hold a mans fate in your
,ands, aud feel tempted to be bard and
stern with bim. as you sometimes are.
hink OF me and spare him. What would
'he say, think you, If she we're here
aow?'
The Colonel bit his lip and his strong
fingers clenched themselves convulsive
y.
"Come, now. uncle" said Ellerton,
sdon't drive this poor fellow to despair.
You've tried harshness with him, and
you see it won't do Let me try kind
ness and I'll make ine soldier of him
yeti"
There was moments silence.
"Confound your smooth tongueT
growled the Colonel. II didn't think
any man living could have made me
change my mind. Have 1t your own way