San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-11-28

TINE auInOf OF tnlS story, Rudyaru klpllng, Is
young EnGlishman who has spent nearly all his
life in British India. His stories usually pertain
to the British army. with which he has long been
familiar. Mr. Kiplng has recently attracted great
attention both in England and America by his
stories, and is regarded by many as geniusf
His full name was Percival William Will
liams, but he picked up the other name in
a nursery book, and that was the end of
the christened title. His mothers ayah
called him WillieBaba. but, as he never
paid the faintest attention to anything
that the ayah said, her wisdom did not help
matters.
His father was colonel of the One Hun
dred and Ninety-fifth, and as soon as Wee
Willie Wrinkle was old enough to under
stand what military discipline meant Col.
Williams put him under it. There was no
other way of managing the child. When
he was good for a week he drew good con-
duct pay; and when he was bad he was de-
prived of his good conduct stripe. Gener-
ally he was bad, for India offers so many
chances to little 6-year-olds of going wrong
Children resent familiarity from stran-
gers, and Wee Willie Winkie was a very
particular child. Once he accepted an ac
quaintanCe he was graciously pleased to
thaw. He accepted Brands, a subaltern
of the One Hundred and Ninety fifth, on
sight. Brands was having tea at the colo
nels, and Wee Willie Wrinkle entered,
strong in the possession Of good conduct
badge won for not chasing the hens round
the compound. He regarded Brands with
gravity for at least ten minutes, and then
delivered himself of his opinion.
Il like YOU" said he slowly, getting off
his chair and coming over to Brands. II
like you. shall call you Copy, because
Of your hair. Do you mind being called
Copy? 1t is because of We hair, you know"
Here was one of the most embarrassing
of Wee Willie Wrinkles peCuliarities. He
would look at a stranger for some time,
and then, without warning or explanation,
would give him Il name. And the name
stuck. No regimental penalties could break
Wee Willie Winkie of this habit. lie lost
his good conduct badge for christening the
commissioners wife "Pobs," but nothing
that the colonel could do made the station
fOrego the nickname, and Mrs COLLEEN re-
manned Mrs. "PObs" till the end of her
stay. So Brands was christened Copy"
and rose, therefore, in the estimation of
the regiment.
If Wee Willie Wrinkle took an interest in
any one the fortunate man was envied alike
by the mess and he rank and file And in
their envy lay 40 suspicion of self interest.
The ColonclS SON. was idolized on his
own merits entirely. Yet Wee Willie
Wrinkle WAS not lovely. His face was per
manently freckled rs his legs were per
manently scratched, and in spite of his
mothers almost fearful circumstances he
had insisted upon having his long yellow
locks cut short in the military fashion. Il
want my hair like Sergeant Tummil's,"
said Wee Willie Wrinkle, and his father
abetting the sacrifice was accomplished.
Three weeks after the bPstOwal Of his
youthful affections on Lieut.. Brands
henceforth to he called Copy for the
sake of brcvity--Nec Willie Wrinkle was
destined 80 behold strange things ana far
beyond his comprehension.
Copy returned his liking with interest.
Copy had let him wear for five rapturous
minutes his own big sword. just as tall as
Wee Willie WinEir. Copy had promised
him a terrier puppy, and Copy hnd per-
mitted him 10 witness the miraculous OPP
Grafton of shaving. Nay, more, Copy had
said that even he, Wee Willie Winkie,
would rise i'm time To the ownership of
box of shiny knives, silver soap box and
Willie Wrinkle called it, Decidedly there
was no one except his father, who could
give or take away good conduct badges at
pleasure, half so wise, strong and valiant as
Copy with the Afghan and Egyptian
medals on his breast Why then should
Copy be guilty of the unmanly weakness
of kissing-vehementl kissing "a big
girl, Miss Ailardyce, to wit? In the course
of morning ride Wee Willie Wrinkle had
seen Copy so doing, and, like the gentle
man he was, had promptly wheeled round
SGd cantered back 10 his groom lest the
groom should also see.
Under ordinary circumstances he would |
have spoken to his father, but he felt in
that this was matter on which |
Copy ought first to be consulted.
copy" shouted Wee Willie Winkie, |
refining up outside that subaltern'S bunga- |
low early one morning; Il want to, see |
you, Copy
"COme in. young 'un," returned Copy, |
who was at early breakfast in the midst of |
his dogs. What mischief have you been |