The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-01-23
AN ANXIOUS NIGHT.
From the Elmira Telegram

From the Elmira telegram
I had, when boy, always an inclination
to be a soldier, and as | grew up this de-
sire increased with my growth.
My parents were not wealthy enough to
send me to military college, so | decided
to enlist and endeavor to obtain a commits
sion from the ranks At the time en-
listed England was on the verge of strug-
Gle with Russia, and recruiting was very
brisk. had no difficulty in passing the
medical ordeal, and was allowed to choose
my regiment | chose the Ninety
(the Gordon Highlanders), thinking that,
being crack fighting corps, it would be
most likely to be one of the first to be sent
to the front.
After joining my regiment and passing
through three months recruit drill, the
captain of my company, finding that | was
better educated than the general run of re-
cruits, and that took great interest in my
duties, recommended me for promotion, and
| was made Glance corporal, my first
step on the ladder of fame. was proud
of it, and wrote to my parents such letters
of hope! I almost pictured myself with
the queens commission in my hand
But such is not unusual with newly
made noncommissioned officers They don't
seem to think that they are like young
bears, with all their troubles before them.
| found later that [ had great deal
of responsibility to contend with, although
my rank as YET did not amount to much.
Nevertheless, the officers spoke of me as
promising "noncom, and up to the time
at which my narrative begins | had given
them no cause to think otherwise. But on
the night of Dec 81, 1S9-, was within
an ace of being caught tripping, and of be-
ing put back for court martial.
Christmas in English regiments is the
day set apart for feasting and merriment,
but the Scotch celebrate the new year.
Discipline is relaxed to a great extent on
that day, and soldiers may do things then
for which at any other time they would be
severely punished,
On the morning of Dec. 81 | was detailed
as corporal of guard of three men. 1t
was my first guard, and mistrusted my
ability to pull through this important duty
without assistance. One of the privates of
my guard was a veteran. He had been
years in the service. and had been formerly
color sergeant, but through intemper-
ate habits had gradually been reduced to
the ranks. This man volunteered to give
me ''pointers" and come tony assistance in
case of need. | accepted his kind offer
gladly, and resolved to be as indulgent as !
possibly could with him and his comrades
during the twenty -four hours that we would
have to remain on duty.
At about o'clock in the afternoon
everything had gone on without hitch
until then-this man, Mcdonald by name,
came to me as | was sitting by the guard
room fire, and handing me bottle said
"Have sup out of this, corporal. Don't
be afraid of it it's only whiskey; It'll do
Won good this cold weather and warm yon
up.
"Why, Mcdonald" Ireplied; "you ought
to know better than to bring liquor into
the guardroom. Yon know very well it's
against the rules, and that You are going
the right way to get us all into trouble"
"Not bit of it." he answered. "lts
New Years eve, corporal. When you've
been in the regiment as long as | have
you'll not be so squeamish about such
small matters as that. I've been eighteen
wears in the service, and when ] was
'noncom' on guard of New Years eve, L
never objected to allowing the men have
wee taste, as long as they did not ogerdo
it. OF course everybody knows it isn't al
lowed to the guard, but bless yonr soul,
corporal, it's winked at on New Years"
did not ike to be more severe with the
men than was absolutely necessary as ]
thought l might become unpopular among
them, so | asked him if that was the only
bottle he had.
ayes, he replied, "and it's only three
parts full at that. My chum as fetched
Che dinner down brought it along from the
mess.
.sWell, if That's the case" said, q will
allow you 70 have it. | wont take any my
self, but you must put it away until tonight,