Arizona republican., 1892-03-13
AN ANXIOUS NIGHT.

nau, when a boy, alWays an incilna- tion to be soldier, and as l grew up this desire increased with my growth.
 My parents were not wealthy enough to send me to a military college, so de- cided to enlist and endeavor to obtain commission from the ranks. At the time enlisted England was on the verge of 8 struggle with Russia and recruiting was very brisk. had no difficulty in pass ing the medical ordeal, and was allowed to choose my regiment. 1 chose the Ninety-second (the Gordon Highlanders), thinking that, being crack fighting corps, it would be most likely to be one of the first to be sent 10 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 recruits, and that 1 took great in- terest in my duties, recommended me for promotion, and was made dance cor poral," my first step on the ladder of fame. l was proud of it, and wrote to my parents such letters of hope! al most 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 be- fore them. l 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 us a 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. 3l, 189-, I was within an ace of being caught tripping, and of being put back for court mar tial
 Christmas in English regiments is the day set apart for feasting and me-ri- ment, but the Scotch celebrate the new year. Discipline is relaxed to 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. 31 l was de- tailed as corporal of a guard of three men. It was my first guard, and I mis- trusted my ability to pull through this important duty without assistance. One of the priyates of my guard was veter- an. He had been years in the service and had been formerly color sergeant, but through incorporate habits had gradually been reduced to the ranks. This man volunteered to give me "point- CTS" and come to my assistance in case of need. l accepted his kind offer gladly, and resolved to be as indulgent as l pos sibly 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 l was sitting by the guard rom fire, and handing me bottle, said:
 "Have a sup out of this, corporal. Don't be afraid of it; it's only whisky. It'll do you good this cold weather and warm you up"
 Why, Mcdonald" l replied; "you ought to know better than to bring liquor into the guardroom. You know very we'll 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. "Its 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 years in the service, and when l was 'noncom' on guard of a New Years eve, l never objected to allowing the men have wee taste, as long as they did not overdo it, Of course everybody knows it isn't allowed to the guard, but bless your soul, corporal, it's winked at on New Years"
 did not like to be more severe with the men than was absolutely necessary, as I though l might become unpopular among them, so l asked him if that was the only bottle he had.
 "Yes," he replied, "and it's only three parts full at that. My chum as fetched the dinner down brought it along from the mess"
 "Well, If that's the case" said, I will allow you to have it. won't take any myself, but you must put it away until tonight, after the orderly officer has been his rounds and all is quiet"
 knew was not justified in giving this permission, and if it leaked out stood good chance of getting into seri- ous trouble, but reasoned with myself that three parts of bottle of spirits be- tween three men on bitterly cold night would not be likely to hurt them, and that there was no possibility of its being found out.
 The general routi. @ of guard is varv lnUnulonOus. Ine prlVates between their turns of sentry go, the sentry being relieved every two hours, are able to get an hour or two of sleep, but for the ''non- com" this is out of the question. He has to post the sentries in their turns, attend to the gate and see to hundred and one matters more or less important, that helps to keep him employed.
 There is always something stirring till 10 or Il at night, but after that the time begins to hang very heavily. The only sounds that break the nocturnal silence are the steady tramp of the sen try at his post and the occasional snoring pf tba otbar ,,o,, lara oF tho ,,.,arl ~,,