The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-05-14
A Human Rugle.

At one time an officer belonging to
one of the regiments stationed at Glib
raltar possessed rather curious ac-
complishment Placing his hand to his
mouth he was able to initiate the
sound of a bngle with force almost
equal to that OF the actual instrument;
and he could play tune, or make long
calls. such as the advance, retreat,
reveille, etc, so that anyone would
imagine real bugle to be blown. In
those DAYS there were no cabs, and the
principal means of locomotion within
the garrison at night were donkeys-at
all events among the younger officers.
For the sake of fun, and without
thought of doing more harm than
playing off hoax, the officer in ques-
ton had occasionally sounded a call
here and there, and two or three times
cavalcade of subalterns ON their don
keys had clattered past the convent
(the governors residence) with him in
their midst sounding the alarm, and
causing the guard to turn out, and
creating considerable confusion.
Orders were therefore issued that no
one was to blow the bugle without
authority to do so; but as the prohibit
tion had no effect, and it was pretty
clearly ascertained by the reports of
sentries, ETC., that one of the officers
was the culprit, the governor assembled
the various commanding officers in
garrison, and desired that they would
ask every officer in their respective
corps to say, upon his honor, whether
he had blown a bugle at night in the
street. and report the replies to him,
promising forgiveness if confession
were made and the practice SO subver-
sive of discipline discontinued. When
it came to the officer in question to
reply to his commanding officers
query, neither he nor his colonel, nor
the others standing by, who knew al
about it, could refrain from smiling as
he said:
mo, sir. Upon my honor. l have
not blown a bugle in the streets at
night since | have been at Gibraltarrh
"Well," said the colonel, when all
the officers had answered, but the
governor is dreadfully vexed, and so
the thing must be stopped; and if 1 find
an opportunity will explain it to him
and ease his mind" "
When the commanding officers
brought their reports, and one after
another stated that every officer, upon
his honor, denied having blown bugle
in the above circumstances, the gov
ernor, a distinguished general, who
was the soul of honor, goodness. and
kindness, was very much affected.
Gentlemen" he said, ''this is very
sad, very terrible! 1t is not the act it.
self, the breach of discipline-that we
can easily take measures to discover
and preVent-but it is That there must
be one among Us who. bearing her
majesty'S commission. does not scruple
to tell falsehood upon his honor. l
must consider how to act in these pain
| ful circumstances.
When the other commanding officers
retired, after making their report, the
colonel of the regiment to which the
offender belonged remained, and, ad-
dressing the governor said:
Il think, sir, can explain this mat
ter to Your satisfaction, can promise
| that the annoyance shall cease, and
can show You that no falsehood has
been told about it. And then he pro-
ceeded to inform him OF the extraordi-
nary power possessed by the officer in
| question.
The governors surprise and delight
were unbounded.
What relief he exclaimed. But
/ must hear him. lou must bring him
to dinner, and lie shall play me a
tune"
So the affair was settled, the COVER
nor heard the officer perform, and the
garrison heard no more false alarms.