Milford chronicle., 1888-02-03
CORPORAL CRUPP.


year of grace 174-.
An east wind coming over the cold
waters of the Atlantic, and 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 a
number OF shops and houses, the head
quarters and barracks of the military, and
few outlying cabins of the more advent
urOus pioneers-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 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
d1cated great strength, ana his face, with
its prominent Roman nose and brilliant
eyes, would have stamped the man in any
circle as 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
Maj. Dalhousie, the ether was Capt.
Cardigan. They were young men, but
their appearance showed them to be
gallant soldiers, well suited to the busi-
ness in which their general kept them en-
gagged night and day
The three officers had something more
m fho
their Madeira
"The fellow will have to be shot, Them
remarked Maj. Dalhousie airily, as he
swallowed another bumper.
Il am afraid so" replied Capt Cardi-
gan, adjusting his ruffies, ''but it is
pity. Corp. Crupp is a good soldier at
times. Lord But he can fightr'
'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 1 was campaigning on
the continent" continued the general, as
he paused to drain another glass, ga lit
tie drunkenness, more or less, did not
matter. I 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 firstr"
''That was grandp' cried Mai. Dal-
housie.
'It was" answered the general. SEN
tentiously, ''but it was not war. II 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. Dalhousie, 1--WE are
leaving the subject. Must the corporal |
be shOtg''
ITO certainty - murmured 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 house?'
"a hundred times,n replied the cap
tain.
''Damme if l think he has ever left it."
replied the major.
and yet he fightsg"
Like devil, exclaimed both officers.
he saved us from surprise a month
ago." put in the major.
''It is a serious case. said the general
THE trustees Of our infant colony are de-
to prohibit the drinking of rum.
and all that is brought here has to be
;taved'
BLOOD and DEATH interrupted the
major, Chow does the fellow get his
ippleS"
"Tremenshus mishtery TO me-" said the
'aptain, who had Just lost another glass
II Madeira, and was glasing at the water
litcher very suspiciOusly.
Il think" suggested the general,
that I will have the corporal brought
lere. desire to question him"
As the officers made no objection. n
was sent to the guard house.
md in few moments the offender came
n, escorted by a guard.
Corp. Crupp looked a little the worse
or wear, and his face wore a surly ex-
'ression, but he did not appear to be
1clous. He faced the three officers quietly
md waited for them to speak.
corporal, we have lost all patience
With you, said Con. Oglethorpe storniy
II am not surprised was the sad re-
'ly, 'and am ready to stand the conse-
Iuences,
lostn
1T is true, admitted the soldier.
"fesh. corpl, and you'n have to be
hot, y interposed Capt. Cardigan.
Il have no objection" answered the
0rporal sroiidiy
''See here, corporal, Z" said the general
evereiY; you are a man of intelligence. s
.ou know all about the prohibit0ry order
I the trustees. Now, why is it that You
Fill smuggle rum and drink itg'i {
For n moment the corporal was silent.
hen he Strengthened himself to his full
eight and pointed to the table and the =
alf filed glasses.
There, " he said, in steady ringing J
oiee, there is the explanation You
lace yourself above the law Do You not s
&c that others vii be tempted to do the