The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1893-09-21
4 WHEREOF VETERAN.
Ho Yves Proud OF His Medal and
HIS Son.

AA+1 tJOns
How fate drifted the old veteran into
our little Canadian Lake Erie village
never new. Drifted him7 No; he ever
marched ca II under the orders Of his
commander Tall, thin, white-hnired,
close. shaven and always in knee
breechcs and long stockings, he was an
antique and martial figure. Fresh
whitehsh." was his cry, which he de
livcred as II calling all tho village TO
fall Ia for drill.
SO impressive was his demeanor that
he digniicd his occupation. For years
after he disappeared. the peddling Of
whitensh by horse aud cart was re-
gnrded in that district ms highly re-
spectacle. II was n glorious trade
when old John Locke held the steel
yards and served out the glittering fish
with an air OF distributing ammunition
for a long days combat.
believe ] noticed on the first day
saw him how he tapped his left breast
with proud gesture when he had done
with a lot Of customers and was about
TO march again ct the head Of his horse
That restored him from trade to his sol.
diership-he had saluted his Waterloo
medal!
There, beneath his thrcadbare old
blue coat, It lay, always felt by the heart
Of the hero.
"why doesn't he wear II outsider" I
once asked.
"IIe used TO-" said M father. "till
Hiram Scudder. the druggist, asked
him what he'd take for the bit OF pew
ter "
What did old John say, sir?'
Take for the bit of pewterr said
he, looking hard at Scudder with scornl
I've took better mems lives nor ever
yours was for 10 get II. and I'd sell my
own for II as quick rs evor | offered II
/ before
"More fool you snid Scuddor.
You're nowt. said old John, very
/ calm and cool, you're nowt but walk
ipg dirt FROM that day forth he would
never sell Souddcr fish; he wouldn't
touch bis money"
| II usust have been late In 1884 oi
early Ia 1885 that first SOW the medal
Going home from school on n brigh
winter afternoon met old John wallS
ing very erect, without his usual fish
supply. a dull. round white spot wa
clasped on the left breast Of his coat
"Alr Locke" said the small boy
staring with admiration, is that YOU
| glorious Waterloo mednl?'
You're good little ladr'
lie stooped TO let me see the nobl
pewter.
WARS declared against Rooshin.
went on the old man, land now's righ
n snow il. The old regiments sailed
and ny only son "a with the colors"
Then he tool, me by the hand andlc'
me into the village store. whore IN
lawyer read aloud the news from tn
PAPER that the old veteran gave him. II
those days there was no Runway within
City milea Of nc. IL had CHANGED tina
come fisherman brought old John
later paper than any previously receives
in the village.
GAY. but the dulso ! e gone" said he
ehalsing his white head, land its curiou
to bs fighting on the satno side with an
other Boney.'
All that winter and the next, oil tin
long summer between, old John dis
played his medal When the repor
Of Alma came his remarks on the Trencl
failure 70 got into the Hgat were severe
"What was they ever without l}oney7
he would inquire.
But letter from his son after InlSei
mon changed all SOt.
"iInlf Of us was killed. aud the res
of us clean tired with iighting," wrot
Corporal Locke "Syhat with bulle
through the flesh Of my right leg an
the fatigue Of using tho bayopet so lon!
was like to drop.
"The Russians were coming on agai
as IL there was no on1 70 them, who
strange drumg came sounding in III
mist behind us. With that wo close
no and faced half round. thinking the
had outlanked us and the day wa
gone. so there was nothing more 20
but make out 20 die hard, like the SOL
OF Waterloo men. You would hay
been pleased 60 SEQ the looks OF whit
was left OF the old regiment, father.
Then all Of sudden a Frenc
column came up tho riso out Of III
I mist, roaring ViverEmpereurr the
I drums beating the charge. We CAV
them room, for we were too dead tire
, 20 go first On they went like mad {
J the Russians. so that was the end OF
I hard mornings work. ] was down
: tainted with loss Of blood, hut wi
= soon he fit for duty again. When
came TO myself there was Frenchma
! pouring brandy down my throat an
\ talking in his gibberish as kind ms an
Christian Never a word will say agi
them red-iogged French again"
"show me the nan that would
s eroE-lsd ola Joho. ut was never
0 them French 70 act co7"arily nidn
& they beat en- ihe world, except ~ an
tho dnl,c7'
with the enalJg @, iae rrinc7n ~
y our village vas Illuminated Eovh
tallow candles IN e5cry window hr
:, works In vacant fold and q torril'a
/. processioul Old John Ilar2h'd al !
head in full rogimcntals, s,rni3A' as
ramrod, tho hero OF the nlaht
His son had been promoted scrSoa
for bravery on the field. We DO
thought tho old army of Wellingt
. kept ghostly step with John Locke, VIII
u aerial drums pealed and beat with
joicing at the new glory OF EnRll'
speaking men.
After that the old man again we
I, his medal concealed. The Chinese W
y OF 1857 was too contemplate to &C
" brate by displaying his badge OF Nap
loo
Then came the dreadful tale Of
" canoy r,utinv-M earut, Delhi, Cav