Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-10-11
ENGLISH ARMY LIFE.
Scenes and Incidents Along tho
Paths of Glory.
Jolly Young subalt"rns Who Never miss
Any Fun and Never Pay Cont
Little to DO and Little
to Get.


uated in Surrey. Having gained nd
mission to this portal by dint OF pass
ing moro or less creditable oxamiua-
ton at the hands OF the Clvil-Service
Commissioners, the juvenile gentle
man cadet" as he is euphoniously
termed, is instructed for year. or a
year and halt, according to his capa-
bilities, In the elements OF the various
branches OF military science, at the
end OF which probationary period he
Is gazetted to regiment OF cavalry or
infantry, having choice OF regiments.
according to his position in the final
examination
Sandhurst is q place looked upon
with various feelings by those who
have. at an early stage OF their careers,
participated in its slightly dubious
Joys. Recollections OF the ''toshingP
Of Objectionable or bumptious aspi-'
rants to military glory-the operation
consisting in the singing. head down.
wards, OF the hapless ''toshee" TO the
head OF his cot, and literally sluicing
him with cold water-the frequent
drills, incessant study and school-boy
restrictions such as compulsory bed at
nine o'clock during the FIRST term. The
proud sensation OF emerging from the
rank OF smoker" "a cadet in his first
half year,, the annual ball and many
other memories, are either treasured
or detested, as the possessor was a
popular fellow, or the reverse. tits
place where man very soon binds his
level; the inane scion OF the mobile"
house OF Bareacres Is toshed with us
little ceremony. and. II any thing.
more zest than the hope OF the Man
chester magnate. The army is no re-
specter OF persons. and IL man Is a
gentleman in himself be is valued and
liked. and taken by his companions
for what they find him.
The final ordeal being successfully
passed, the youthful subaltern pro-
ceeds ON two months leave of.absence.
presumably granted bya paternal gov.
eminent to allow him TO be photo
graphed 10 every conceivable attitude
and uniform--dnring which period he
provides himself with a kit, costing
$500 or 5000, IL mis- election be the line.
more than treble that sum IL the cav
airy. and, having been duly admired
by his various feminine acquaintance,
repairs at its expiration to the head
Quarters OF his regiment, and duly re-
ports his arrival. Now begins the
real pleasure OF existence; handed
over to tho tender mercies OF drill
sergeant, he. in company with several
raw recruits. plods painfully through
the amazing intricacies OF the English
drill book. Finally the adjutant pro-
nounces him fully disciplined. and he
energies In all the splendor OF full
blown officer. Quarters, fuel ant
light-of sorts-are provided b.
! the powers that be. the contents
of the first being invariably
a barrack bed. fender and table
! with two ancient wooden chairs OF sur
! prising hardness and discomfort; I
dilapidated bellows and ragged heartl
brush complete the CURVATURE" whici
is duly set forth and registered on al
inventory board placed under his care
However with the aid OF his soldier
servant and the barrack supply store
, he rapidly evolves a very snug an
cheerful domicile, hiring the goods h
I fancies Mt more or less-usually NOR
: -extortionate monthly rate
His inner man is provided for at tn
. mess. where every thing Is ''done" 4
, the best possible manner, comfort an
, luxury being studied In the most m
: nute details. There is but one draw
back. the monthly mess bill, that bug
. bear Of the junior officer. living like
' Prince on the muniacsnt stipend
!, dollar and thirty cents per diem
!. plus the allowance. averaging five hui
= dred dollars year. made him by ID
: relatives How Il is done Is inei
Z plicable; the writer never understoo
how he did II himself. but 1t is. neve
= thcless. q fact that the youthful SUI
/ Il always well dressed. does pret'
;, nearly every thing in tho way OF anus
y ment he wants TO. lives like q lord. go
: eyerywherc, denies himself nothinI
!. and never seems In want OF money.
: an income OF little or nothing per O.
mum! He has the entree into the be
society. and is looked upon with mi'
favor by the charming demoisell
n with whom he comes In contact
= much So that good match (from q
!. mans point OF view) has proved y
= salvation OF many spcndthrift 81
!. Of Mars. Mars and Venus have
- ways been the best OF friends. II IN
thology may be relied on. and ''scarl
4, fever" will doubtless play havoc amo
a beauty's ranks till the arrival OF !
!. millennium. The brilliant uniform
~ costly. alas. as many lengthy ol
!, document. aud many n lengthier q
- bluer fnther's face. can testify
passport to the female heart
A soldiers life can not be consider
nm arduous one; morning parade,
v. couple OF hours drill through \
III week and a tour OF duty as"officer OF
h Day" comprise the sum OF his labo
In the drill scuson. however. there
O. eternal field days, drills, maneuv
.DoIngi / should think So" D
70 Angela. ..Nettie showed me
y. cheese and butter she had made. .
l mn df1zu "