The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-14
CORPORAL CRUPP.

paIse OF SAT- MARSHES, WVdNti thiV"-"
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 stockad containing a
number OF shops and houses, the head
quarters and barracks Of the military, ana
a few outlying cabins of the more advent
urous pioneers-this was all.
In q comfortable room in the most pre-
~tentious building in the stockade' the
~Aeadouarters Of the commanding general.
three gentlemen sat by n 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 q 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 a 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 Otner was Capt.
Cardigan. They were young men, but
their appearance showed them 10 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 thgp the discussion Of
their Madeira.
1.-THE fellow will have to be shot, then, 81
remarked Mai. Dalhousie airily, as he
swallowed another bumper.
81 am afraid 50" replied Capt. Cardi-
gan, adjusting his %rufies, 'but it is a
pity. Corp. Crupp is a good soldier at
times. Lord! But he can fightN'
'Zoundsl' exclaimed the general,
much do | deplore such a necessity, gen
tlemen. but discipline is more important
in these savage wilds than 1t 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
lie paused 10 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. y
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 firstn
''That was grand cried Maj. Dal-
housie.
at was" answered the general, sen
tentiously, "but 1t 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. Dalhousie, eve are
leaving the subject. Must the corporal
be shotf'
''To a certainty, 4" murmured Capt. Car
aican, 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, "yUu
have had the varlet in the guard housey'
"A hundred times replied the cap
tain.
''Damme if l think he has ever left it,
replied the major.
''And yet he iights"'
Like u devil exclaimed both officers.
HE saved us from a surprise a month
ago" put in the major.
1t is n serious case, % 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
Blood and death, " interrupted the
major, 'show does the fellow get his
tipplei'
''Iremenshus 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 brought
here. desire 10 question him
As the officers made no objection, a
messenger was sent TO the guard house,
and in a few moments the offender came
in, escorted by a guard.
Corp. Crupp looked a little the worse
for wear, and his face wore q surly eX-
preston, but he-did not appear 10 he
vicious. He faced the three officers quietly
and waited for them 10 speak.
Corporal, we have lost all patience
with YOU" said Gen. Oglethorpe sternly.
II am not surprised, y was the sad re-
ply, "and | am ready 10 stand the conse-
Quences." =
''Ysu fell asleep while drunk Oh your
post"
1t is true" admitted the soldier.
"Yesh, corpl, and you'll have to De
shot," interposed Capt. Cardigan.
81 have no objection answered the
corporal stolidly.
''See here, corporal said the genera
severely; you are a man Of intelligence
You know all about the prohibitory order
Of the trustees. Now, why is it that you
viii smugele rum and drink itF'
For o moment the corporal was silent
Then be Strengthened himself to his full
height and pointed to the table and IL,
half filed glasses.
''There," he said, in a steady ringing
voice, ''there is the explanation. lol
place yourself above the law. Do you MOI
see that others will be tempted TO do The
sames When Corp. Crupp breasts IL.
cold aud wet, and sees his superior officer
enjoying their wine, don't you think tina
be fees driven by some demon 10 80 NJ
follow their example, Like master, III
- l.A.