San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-01-25
CORPORAL CRUPP.

1t was a gloomy December day in the
year Of grace ia.
An east wind coming over the cold
waters of the Atlantic, end wide eX-
panse of salt marshes, moaned through
the pines and swept the sandy stretch
where the little settlement of Savannah
was just beginning to pull itself together.
The scene was not very attractive. A
rude but strong stockade containing
number OF shops and houses, the head
quarters and barracks of the military, and
a few outlying cabins of the more advent
urous pionecrs-this was all.
In comfortable room in the most pre-
tentious building in the stockade, the
headquarters of the commanding general,
three gentlemen sat by a blazing wood
fire. They were drinking Madeira, and
their rubicund visages showed that they
were not unaccustomed to this and even
stronger beverages.
One of the three wore a scarlet uni
form, glittering with prOfuse emblazOnry
of gold lace, but his large, spare figure in
Dictated great strength, and his face, with
its prominent Roman nose and brilliant
eyes, would have stamped the man in any
circle as IL remarkable person, a born
leader of men.
This man, the central figure of the
group, was Gen. Oglethrope.
The other two, dressed also in scarlet
uniforms, were brother officers. One was
Mai Dalhousie, the other was Capt.
Cardigan. They were young men, but
their appearance showed them to be
gallant soldiers, well suited to the bust
ness in which their general kept them en-
gagged night and day.
The three officers had something more
serious on hand than the discussion of
their Madeira.
''The fellow will have to he shot, then"
remarked Maj Dalhousie airily, as he
swallowed another bumper.
IL am afraid so, - replied Capt Cardi-
gan, adjusting his ruffies, but it is a
pity. Corp. Crupp is good soldier at
times. Lord! But he can fightw
''Zoundsp' exclaimed the general,
"much do deplore such a necessity, gen
tlemen, but discipline is more important
in these savage wilds than it is in Europe.
Here warfare is nothing but butchery,
and we need every man in our small
force Now, when | was campaigning on
the continent" continued the general, as
he paused to drain another glass, "a lit
tie drunkenness, more or less, did not
matter. | myself once refused to take a
French officer prisoner because he was so
befuddled that he ran into our lines. A
splendid fellow he was, too. Once our
commands were fronting each other just
as the fight opened, and the Frenchman,
taking off his hat, said: Gentlemen,
have the goodness to fire firstp -
"That was grandr' cried Mai. Dali
housie.
at was" answered the general, SEN
tentiously, "but it was not war. 1t was
an attempt TO apply the tactics of the
ball room to the battle field. Well, my
bull dogs accepted the invitation, and in
less than five minutes we had driven the
monsieurs out of sight"
But" said Maj. Dalhou.tie, 1--WE are
leaving the subject. Must the corporal
be shots''
ITO a certainty" mur1nured Capt. Car
digan, who had spilled his wine, and was
peering into his right boot under the i'm
preston that something was wrong some
where.
LET us see," said the general, ''you
have had the varlet in the guard houses'
"a hundred times" replied the cap
tain.
"Damme If / think he has ever left ii, !"
replied the major.
"And yet he fights?n
Like devil" exclaimed both officers.
He saved us from surprise month
ago." put in the major.
ut is a serious case,n said the general
"The trustees of our infant colony are de-
termined to prohibit the drinking of rum,
and all that is brought here has to be
staved.n q
BLOOD and DEATH" interrupted the
major, show does the fellow get his
tipple;"
''Tremenshus mishtery to ma" said the
captain, who had just lost another glass
of Madeira, and was glaring at the water
pitcher very suspiciously.
Il think" suggested the general,
''that i will have the corporal brought
here desire to question him."
AS the officers made no objection, a
messenger was sent to the guard house,
and In few moments the offender came
in, escorted by guard
Corp Crupp looked little the worse
for wear, and his face wore a surly ex-
preston, but he did not appear TO be
vicious. He faced the three officers quietly
and waited for them TO speak
Corporal, we have lost all patience
with you" said Gen. Oglethorpe sternly.
II am not surprised, was the sad re-
ply, "and l am ready to stand the conse-
quences.
You fell asleep while drunk on your
post"