The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1892-01-02

the wooden guard bed
On this New Years eve all went well
until g In the evening, when, while
parading the relief sentry prior to post
ing him, noticed that instead Of hold
ing himself as a soldier should on parade
he appeared inclined to make light of
the matter and was grinning all over his
face. reminded him that he was on
parade and not in the regimeutal can
teen, and also that there was a prisoners
room in the vicinity. This little hint
had the desired effect. inducing him to
keep a straight face.
This incident, unimportant as it may
appear, made me uneasy. had pre-
sentiment that something was wrong,
but what l could not tell Ifancied that
the man, knowing it to be my first guard,
was inclined to take advantage of me. 1
determined, if such was the case, I would
exercise my authority.
At about 8 o'clock Mcdonald came to
me for permission to fetch a bucket of
water from the pump to drink gave
him leave, requesting him to be quick
about it, as the first ''post" would sound
in a few minutes and l would have to
turn out the guard. He promised he
would be back in a "jif."
He did not come back in a 'jif2' At
$3.50 the post sounded with no sign Of
Mcdonald returning. Where had he
gone? Ordinarily it required but five
minutes to go to the pump and back and
he had been away half an hour. There
was nothing to do but turn out what re-
mained of the guard, and to vow ven
geance on the absentee on his return.
Ten o'clock and no Mcdonald. was
obliged to relieve the sentry with the re-
naming man out of his turn, On en-
tering the guardroom the man relieved
threw himself on the guard bed and
was soon snoring like a grampus. took
up a book and tried to read l soon
found this impossible. McDonald's alb
sence puzzled and worried me. felt in
clined to report the affair and have a
search made for him. The man had so
frequently been in trouble that l hesi-
tated being the cause Of his getting any
further punishment. So l resolved to
give him little more time to put in an
appearance.
l got up to walk about and tried to
question the sleeper. Finally noticed
that the sentry had not been pacing his
beat for some time; he, l thought, was
taking too long rest in the sentry box.
went out to see what was the matter
with him. Obi horrorl There was my
sentry stretched out on the ground on
his back fast asleep, his rife three feet
from him. kicked him to wake him,
but to no purpose; he lay like log.
Then it dawned on me that my whole
guard was drunk.
did not know what to do. The only
thing l could think Of was to give the
alarm and have the guard relieved. But
here a difficulty arose. | would myself
be made prisoner and receive heavier
punishment than the men for allowing
liquor in the guardroom. was re.
sponsible for everything. If l did not
report the state of affairs it would be
sure to be found out, as the colonel had
not yet come into barracks, and the or,
derly officer must visit the guard that
night. ! quickly resolved to get this
man out Of the way, post the remaining
one and trust to luck.
dragged him into the guardroom
pitched him into n corner and tried tc
wake his comrade. He was in the same
condition. could get no sense out Of
him, but l could tell by the strong smell
Of spirits that came from him that he
was as bad, if not worse, than the other
My last chance seemed to have slipped
away from me.
Here was a pretty kettle of fish. Nc
Donald away, 1 knew not where, leaving
me with two helpless, drunken wretches
and no one on the post Somebody mus
go on sentry to let the colonel in ant
challenge the orderly officer. But who?
In sheer desperation l caught hold o
n rifle, and turning back the cuff Of ny
great coat to hide the stripes, went oI
the post myself After an hours pacinl
to and fro, heard footsteps outside tn
gate. l challenged;
"Halt! who comes there?'
Friend" was the answer.
1t was the colonel. opened the gate
and getting into the shadow of it to pre-
vent him recognizing me, held it open t
let him pass in.
Everything all right, sentry" said he
"All right, sir" l replied, disguisinl
my voice as well as l could.
Good night, sentry, and a happy Ney
Year TO you.
"The same TO you, sir" answered
devoutly wishing might have a happ,
one, but / had my doubts.
One danger passed. He had not no
ticed anything. But had a greater on
staring me in the face-the orderly off
Ger. He was certain TO come, and it wa
his duty TO visit the sentry and inspec
the guard. There was no telling at wha
time he might come around, Ny onl
chance lay in his coming late, 80 as {
| give Mcdonald chance TO come bac
before his visit or the others time t
sleep of the effects of their spree.
Ipaced quickly to and fro, feeling lilz
a criminal awaiting his time TO be LEI
forth to the gallows. felt l did not de
serve this. had always tried to do IN,
duty, and had become quite popular
But now everything had turned agains
me / would be sure 90 lose my stripes
and the chances were would have {
serve a term of imprisonment with tn
wretches who had brought this troubl
on me. If that happened ! might sa
goodby to the chance Of a commission.
was thinking this and a good dea
more when 1 was startled by hearin
Clankl Clsnk! Clank! The sound Of
sword iolting in its scabOard 1t wa
the orderly officer Ny hair stood up O
my head like wires, and the perspiratio
rolled down my face.
"Haltl Who comes there" I almol
screamed.
"Visidug rounds, replied the az
preaching officer
"Guards, turn out, 1 yelled, KNOWN
all the time that was impossible.
"Neyer mind the guards. Is ever
z thing all right, seutryE
"All right, sir, / replied, hardly abb
TO believe my ears
Then l heard his footsteps returnin
toward the officers mess, and ] knew
was safe. It was the --LATEST officer {
the regiment, and one Of the best, wh
p had taken the place of another, so as I
allow him 10 go 10 a dance in the tow
and this exchange saved me. The ofic,
5 was too indolsnt 70 inspect the guard.
The strain on my nerves was terrible
7 7 was Obliged 10 walk about for an h0u