Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-06-29

his medal concealed. The Chinese war
of 1851 was too contemplate to cele-
brate by displaying his badge of Water
loo.
Then came the dreadful tale of the
Sepoy mutiny-Meerut, Delhi, Gavin
porel After the tale OF Mana Sahib's
massacre was read 10 old John he never
smiled, think
Week after week, month after month,
as hideous tidings poured rapidly In,
his face became more haggard, gray
and dreadful. The feeling that he was
too old for use seemed TO shame him.
He no longer carried his head high a.
Of yore. That his son was not march,
ing behind Havelock with the aveng-
ing army seemed TO cut the veteran
sorely. Sergt Locke had sailed with
the old regiment to Join Outram in
Persia before the Sepoys broke loose.
I'm feared something's gone wrong
with my heart"
Months went by before we learned
that the troops for Persia had been
stopped on their way and thrown into
India against the mutineers. At that
news old John marched into the village
with a prouder air than he had worn
for many days. Ills medal was again
displayed on his breast.
II was but the next month, think,
that the village lawyer stood reading
aloud the account of great Sepoy fort.
The veteran entered the post Office and
all made way for him. The reading
went on:
"The blowing open of the eastern
gate was the grandest personal exploit
Of the attack. II was performed by
native sappers covered by the fire OF
! TIE Sixtieth regiment and headed by
Licuts. Howe and Salkeld, Sergts.
Smith, Carmichael, burgess and Locke"
The lawyer paused. Every eye turned
10 the face of the old Waterloo soldier.
| lie Strengthened up to keener attention,
threw out his chest, tapped the glorious
medal and so saluted the names of the
/ brave.
God be praised, my son was therel"
he said. Read on"
"Sergt. Carmichael, while laying the
powder, was killed, and the native
havildar wounded. The powder having
been laid, the advance party slipped
down into the ditch TO allow the firing
party, under Lieut.. SallScld, To do its
duty.
while trying to fire the charge he
was shot through one leg and arm. lie
sank, but handed the match to Scrgt.
| Burgess, who was Mt once shot dead.
Scrgt. Locke, already wounded severe
ly In the shoulder then seized the
match and succeeded in firing the train.
lie fell at that moment, literally riddled
with bullets"
Read on" said old John, IN a deeper
voice. All forbore TO look twice upon
his face.
"Others of the party were falling
when the mighty gate was blown to
fragments, and the Oxford light in
fantry, under Col. Campbell, rushed
into the breach"
There was long silence in the post
Office till old John spoke once more.
THE Lord God be thanked for all
His dealings with us. My son, Sergt.
Locke, died well for England"
Nervously lingering the medal on his
breast, the old soldier wheeled about
and marched proudly straight down
the middle of the village street TO his
lone cabin.
The villagers never saw him In life
again. Next day he did not appear.
All refrained from 1ntruding on his
mourning. But in the evening, wher
the rector heard of his parishioncr's loss
he walked to old Johns home.
There, stretched upon his straw bed
he lay in his antique regimentals, stilleI
than at attention, all his medals
fastened below that of Waterloo abov,
his quiet neart.
His right hand lay on an open Bible
His face wore an expression OF looking
forever and ever upon Sergt. Lock-
and the Great Commander who take
back unto Him the heroes He fashions
to sweeten the world. Toronto Mail