Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-15
No. $50 North Main

|
Private Cameron told me, with deep emo
ton, that nothing could save his mother
! from the workhouse ian idea which seemed
| to I'LL him with shame and horror unless bis
brother could be bought out Of the service
and sent back home.
| AS his brother had not been three months
enlisted, this could be affected by a payment
| of ten pounds; but such sum WAS far be-
yond the means of either brother Cameron,
| in despair, had come to me for help, hardly
daring, as he told me, to hope that could
give it, He said he had been encouraged to
seek my assistance by my constant kindness
to him.
81 would pay you back, sir, I swear it to
you," said the poor lad, earnestly. "You
can stop my pay every week, sir. l want
next to nothing. don't drink any, and
can easily get all need to smoke, and the
like O. that. / will pay you back, sir, indeed
l will"
Well, to cut my story short, after some re-
Election, and not little misgiving as to
whether in respect of discipline l was doing
right, / agreed to let him have the money. l
could we'll afford it, liked the man, and had
been touched by his story not little.
''You should begin to save up your pay in
the savings bank, Cameron" said l. as he
thanked me earnestly.
| had not the least intention Of repaying
myself from his hard earned savings, and
quite looked upon the loan as gift, but
judged it better not to say so expressly, lest
the easy manner of obtaining the money
might do harm, while | thought it good OPP
portunity Of encouraging frugal habits.
Carneron's gratitude was deep, and could
not help feeling that his expression of it was
sincere and heartfelt.
AS he was leaving the room he turned,
looked me full in the face, and said: God
bless you, sir, for your kindness to me!
shall not forget it'll I viii repay you, sir, so
help me, GodI"
I was struck by the singular earnestness Of
the man, and when he left the room said to
myself: II may have done right or wrong,
but that is real good fellow, and have got
firm friend, verify behevsg" se
ARRANGED matters next day. Cameron's
brother was permitted to leave for his home
almost Immediately; my part in the trans
action was not suspected, and In few weeks
the matter passed out of my mind
Cameron continued in his steady conduct
and each month observed that he was put
ting little sum to his credit in the regimen
tai savings bank. l never, however, alluded
to the occurrence again. About three months
afterward l went away on short leave.
had accepted a yachting invitation from an
acquaintance and spent very pleasant three
weeks cruising among the channel islands
returned to D. late one night and, leav-
ing my heavier baggage at a hotel in the
town, / started up TO barracks with a small
hand bag.
went slowly up the zigzag path, through
the postern gate, crossed the first or outer
ditch and was within a few yards of the in
ner one, when l was startled by sudden
challenges:
Haiti Who goes therer'
"Offioerw answered, feeling not little
surprised, for there had not used to be a SEN
try over the plank bridge 1t was rather
dark, and cruld not see very distinctly.
advanced pace or two, when | was again
halted
You can't pass herel Go backr' heard,
10 sharp, distinct tones.
This meant long round for me, which, so
late at night. and carrying, as l was, heavy
bag, was very disagreeable
nota l am an officer quartered in the cita-
dell"
you can't pass. Go back" repeated the
voice, hoarsely.
The tones seemed familiar, and rather irri-
tated by the somewhat peremptory answer,
advanced another pace, and saw close in
front of me a sentry with his rife at the port.
''Go back Go backl" repeated the figure,
IN the same hurried tones.
The night was not 80 dark but that could
make ont the features Of Private Adair Cam
eron- For one moment thought of inquir-
ing the reason Of the road, which was usually
open, being closed, but on second thoughts
reflected that it was scarcely judicious to en-
ter into an alteration with a sentry whose
orders were evidently stringent; 50, very sulk-
lily, turned and began to retrace my steps.
had gone nut few yards when heard
behind me the cry Of Sentry goT ring
through the Qu,et night air. c'Sentry goW
Is the cry invariably used by sentries in the
British service to intimate TO the guard from
which they are detached that the time of
their duty having expired they expect rehefl
The sound fingered in my ears till the
echoes from the gray ramparts died away IN
the still air, and all was once more profoundly
silent In no very good hunor found my
self at last, hot and tired With my burden, in
the passage leading to my quarters
The room occupied BY my subalsern was
next to mine; the door was open. and heard
voices within
Those internal sappers are always at some
| camel They so and move a bridge for some
silly reason or other. and never think OF tell
| ing any ona l only heard about it ten min
usas ago. and now I've got to go and post a
sentry over Il or some poor devil viii break
! his neck 10 certainty
You may save yourself the trouble, old
boyF' exclaimed gayiy, a. burst into the
room The ssosrys On already, and 90 I've
saved my neck, and E~etts there won't get
| his company just yet
| The adjutant for IL was be that bad been
| speaking end Evests, my suhaltern, greeted
me with au the boisterous welcome OF Old
| comrades
Glad 20 sse you back. ca& chapF said
| HAYES, TIE ad1ucant. But what do you
mean about the sentry being postedf
Why, over the dtpca Oh the short cut,
| oonfonnd him!- replied. he made me 50
| back the whole beastly rcundI7
l '-ovx the sT1dD a. he fnoer disca