Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-02-06
CORPORAL CRUPP.

1t was . gloomy December day in the
year Of grace l14-.
An east wind coming over the cold
waters Of the Atlantic. and wide ex-
panse Of salt marshes, mdaned 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 u blazing wood
fre. 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
dicated great strength, and his face, with
fts prominent Roman nose and brilliant
eyes, would have stamped the man in any
circle ~ . remarkable person, q born
leader Of men.
This man, the central figure OF tho
group, was Gen. Ogiethrope.
The other two. dressed also in scarlet
uniforms, were brother officers. One was
Maj. Dslhousie, the other was Capt.
Cardigan. They were youag men, but
their appearance showed them to be
gallant soldiers, well suited 10 the busi-
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 be shot, then. :"
remarked Maj. Dalhousie airily, as he
swallowed another bumper.
II am afraid so," replied Capt. Cardi-
gan, adjusting his ruffies, but it Is Q
pity. Corp. Crupp is . good soldier at
times. Lordl But he can fght"'
'sZoundsr' exclaimed the general,
''mnch do deplore such necessity, gen
tlemen, hut 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
he paused to drain another glass, "a lit
tie drunkenness, more or less, did not
matter. myself once refused to take a
French ofiicer 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 OF his hat, said: Gentlemen,
have the goodness to fire arst""
That WAS grand cried Maj. Dali
housie.
"It was," answered the general, SEN
tentiously, ''but it was not war. 1t was
an attempt to apply the tactics Of the
bali room to the battle field. Well, my
bull dogs accepted the invitation, and in
less than i've minutes we had driven the
mOnsieurs out Of sight"
But" said Maj. Dalhousie, I'VE are
leaving the subject. Must the corporal
BE shots''
ITO certainty" murmured Capt. Car
digan, who had spilled his wine and was
peering into his right boet 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" replied the cap.
tain.
"Damme II think he has ever left IL, ~
replied the major.
''And yet he fghts''
Like devil" exclaimed both officers
''He saved us from u surprise month
ago." put in the major.
1T is a serious case" said the general.
The trustees Of our infant colony are de-
termined 10 prohibit the drinking Of rum,
and all that is brought here has to be
STAYED"
BLOOD and death" interrupted the
major. ''how does the fellow get his
tipplef"
''Tremenshus mishtery to me-" 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 will have the corporal brough,
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.
Dtl NC uot appear " bt
vicious. He faced the three officers quietly
and waited for them to speak.
''COrparal, we have lost all patience
with you said Gen Oglethorpe sternly.
Il am not surprised" was the sad re
ply, "and am ready to stand the conse-
quences."
You fell asleep while drunk on your
post"
.'it is true" admitted the soldier.
"Yesh. corp1, and You'll have TO be
shot," interposed Capt. Cardigan.
II have no objection" answered the
corporal stOlidly.
See here, corporal" said the general
severely: you are a man Of intelligence.
You know all about the prohibitory order
OF the trustees Now, why is it that you
will smuggle rum and drink it?''
For moment the corporal was silent.
Then he Strengthened himself to his full
height and pointed to the table and the
half filled glasses.
''There," he said, in a steady ringing
voice, there is the explanation. You
place yourself above the law. Do you moi
see that others will be tempted to do the
same' When Corp Crupp breasts the
sold and wet, and sees his superior officers
enjoying their wine. don't you think that