The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-05-07
A Human Buglo.

Az one Ilme an oIilcer belonging TO
one Of the regiments stationed at Glib
raltar possessed a rather curious &C.
complishment. Placing his hand to his
mouth he was able to initiate the sound
Of buglewith a 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 a
real bugle to be blown. In those days
there were no cabs, and the principal
means of locomotion within the garri-
son at night were donkeys-at all
events among the younger officers.
For the sake of fun, and without
thought of doing more harm than play
ing off hoax, the officer in question
had occasionally sounded call here
and there, and two or three times a
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 bugle without
authority to do so; but as the prohibit
ton 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 the
garrison, and desired that they would
ask every officer in their respective
corps to say, upon his honor, whether
he had blown bugle at night in the
streets. 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 re,
ply to his commanding officers query,
neither he nor his colonel, nor the
others standing by,who knew all about
it, could refrain from smiling as he
said:
"No, sir. Upon my honor, I have
not blown a bugle in the streets at
night since have been at Gibraltar."
WELL" said the colonel, when all
che officers had answered, "but the
governor is dreadfully vexed, and SO
the thing must be stopped; and if
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 a
bugle in the above circum stances, the
governor, 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
itself, the breach of discipline-that
we can easily take measures to dis
cover and prevent-but it is that there
must be one among us who, bearing
ler majesty's commission, does not
,cruple to tell a falsehood upon his
honor. must consider how to act in
these painful circumstances"
When the other commanding officers
;etired, after making their report, the
colonel of the regiment to which the
offender belonged remained, and
addressing the governor, said:
II think, sir, can explain this mat
ger to your satisfaction, can promise
that the annoyance shall cease, and
IAN show you that no falsehood has
been told about it." And then ht
proceeded to inform him Of the extra,
ordinary power possessed by the officer
in question.
The governors surprise and delight
were unbounded.
What relief" he exclaimed
but I must hear him. You must
bring him to dinner, and he shall play
me tune"
So the affair was settled, the gov
ernor heard the officer perform, ant
the garrison heard no more falst
alarms.