Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-01-15

obliged 10 relieve the sentry with the re-
manning man out " bis turn. On en-
tcrins the guariroom the man relieved
threw himself on the guard bed aud
was soon snoring like grampus. ! took
sup book and tried TO read. | soou
found this impossible. MrDonhld's nh
sence puzzled and worried me. felt In.
clinod TO report the affair and have
search made for him. The man had 20
frequently been In trouble that | heat.
tated being the cause Of his getting any
further punishment. SO | resolved to
give him littlc more time TO put In 40
appearance.
got mp TO walk about and tried 10
question the sleeper Finally | noticed
that the sentry had not been pacing III,
beat Tor some time; he, | thought, was
taking too long rest In the sentry box
| went out TO 900 what was tho matter
with him. OH horrorl There WAS my
sentry stretched ont on tho ground ON
his back fast asleep. his rifle three feet
from him. kicked him to wake him,
but 10 no purpose; he lay like n log
Then II dnwncd on me that my whole
gulrd was drunk.
did not know what to do. The only
thing could think Of was to give the
alarm and hnvo the guard relieved. But
hero u difficulty arose. | would mysc.i
bo made = pr sner and receive heavier
punishment than the men for allowing
liquor ia the guardroon. | was ~.
sponhblo for ovei ything. II | did not
report the state Of affairs It would be-
sure 10 be found out, as the colonel bal
not yet come into barracks, and the or.
derby officer must visit the guard that
night. quickly resolved 10 get this
man out of the way, post the remaining
Que and trust 10 luck.
dragged him into the guardroom,
pitched him into corner and tried 10
wake his comrade. He was In the Same
condition. could get no sense Que Of
him, but could tell blythe strong smell
Of spirits that came from him that he
was as bad, II not worse, than the other
Ny last chance seemed to have slipped
away from me.
Here was pretty kettle Of fish. Nc.
Donald away, knew not where, leaving
me with two helpless, drunken wretches,
Ena noOno on tho post. Somebody must
| 60 on sentry 10 let the colonel In aud
challenge the orderly officer. But who:
In sheer desperation caught hold OF
rifle, and turning back the cuff Of my
great coat to hide the stripes, went on
the post myself. After an hours pacing
to and fro. heard footsteps outside the
gate. challenged;
| HALT who comes thcrei"
Friend" was the answer.
II was the colonel. opened the gate.
and getting into the shadow Of II TO pre-
vent him recognizing me, held it open to
let him pass In.
Everything all right, sentry" said he.
"All right, sir" replied, Disgusting
my voice Rs well rs could.
Good night, sentry, and happy New
Year to you
1.-THE same TO you, sir" | answered,
doyoutly wishing might have happy
one, but had my doubts.
One danger passed. lie had not no
ticed anything. But | had greater one
staring me in the face-the orderly OH.
Ger. He was certain TO come, and It wa,
his duty TO visit the sentry and iuspec,
the guard. Therrwas no telling at what
time he might come around. My only
chance lay In his coming late, 70 ms u
give Mcdonald chance TO como back
before his visit, or the others time to
sleep Oh the effects Of their spree.
lpacod quickly to and fro, feeling like
criminal awaiting his time TO be led
T,Vf1. 20. La. 4 T.1N 4 4
serve this had always tried 10 do my
duty, and had become quite popular.
But now everything had turned against
me. would be sure to lose my stripes,
aud the chances were would have to
serve II term Of imprisonment with the
wretches who had brought this trouble
on me. II that happened ! might say
goodby to the chance Of "a commission.
was thinking this aud u good deal
more when | was startled by hearing
Clankl ClBnl,l Claul, The sound Of n
sword jolting in it's scabbard. IL wa
the orderly officer. My hair stood up oil
my head like wires, and the perspiratioi
rolled down my face.
HALT Who comes therey" almos
screamed.
Visiting rounds" replied the ap
proa-hing officer.
Guards, turn out" yelled, knowing
all the time that was impossible.
"Nevcr mind the guards, Is every
thing all right, sentry
IAN right, SIR" | replied, hardly abl
TO believe my ears
, Then heard his footsteps returning
toward the officers mess, and | knew
was safe, II was the LATEST officer il
the regiment, and one Of the best, wls
had taken the place of another, So rs 4
allow him to 80 to a dance IN the town
and this exchange saved me. The Office
was too indohnt to inspect the guard.
The Strain on my nerves was terrible
! was obliged 10 walk about for nm hour
even after all danger had passed, to re
gain my oomposure.
When | had restored myself to some
thing like cSlmuess | went to the pump
and fetching q bucket Of ice cold water
brought the two men to sense OF dutl
with a portion Of it, | then ushere.
them into the prisoners room.
At . a. IN. Mcdonald put IN his ap
pearance, seat him to join the other
and turned the key on them all. Ate,
frightening them out Of their wits fol
an hour or 80, they begging and prsyins
OF Ine to give them u chance, let then
out on condition that they would han,
ma over what romuiupd Of the luuor