Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-06-29
M a c hin e oil, best
made, at Hill & Sons.
A WATERLOO VETERAN.
He Was Proud OF His Medal and
His Son.

How fate drifted the old veteran into
our little Canadian Lake Erie village
never new. Drifted him7 No; he ever
marched as If under the orders of his
commander. Tall, thin, white-haired,
close-shaven and always in knee
breeches and long stockings, he was an
antique and martial figure Fresh
whiteash," was his cry, which he de-
iivered as II calling all the village to
fall in for drill.
SO impressive was his demeanor that
he dignified his occupation. For years
after he disappeared, the peddling of
whitefish by horse and cart was re-
gnrded in that district as highly re-
spectacle. 1t 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 long days combat.
| believe l noticed on the first day l
saw him how he tapped his left breast
with a proud gesture when he had done
| with lot of customers and was about
TO march again at the head of his horse.
| That restored him from trade TO his sol.
diership-he had saluted his Waterloo
medal
There, beneath his threadbare old
blue coat, it lay, always felt by the heart
Of the hero.
"Why doesn't he wear it outsider
once asked.
He used to-" said my father, "tir
Hiram Scudder, the druggist, asked
him what he'd take for the bit of pew
ter"
"What did old John say, sirPr
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 TO get 1t, and I'd sell my
own for 1t as quick as ever | offered it
before
More fool you,' said Scudder.
You're nowt,' said old John, very
calm and cool, you're nowt but walk
ing dirt From that day forth he would
never sell Scudder fish; he wouldn't
touch his money"
1t must have been late in 1854 or
early In 1855 that first saw the medal.
Going home from school on a bright
winter afternoon met old John walk.
ing very erect, without his usual fish
supply. A dull, round white spot was
clasped on the left breast of his coat.
Mr.. Locke" said the small boy,
staring with admiration, "is that your
glorious Waterloo medal?"
You're good little ladl"
He stopped to let me see the noble |
pewter.
Wars declared against Rooshia,"
went on the old man, land now's right |
TO show it. The old regiments sailed, |
and my only son is with the colors."
Then he took me by the hand and led |
me into the village store, where the
lawyer read aloud the news from the
paper that the old veteran gave him. In
those days there was no railway within
nifty miles Of us. 1t had chanced that
some fisherman brought old John
later paper than any previously received
in the village.
"Ay, but the duke Is gone" said he,
his white head, "and it's curious
to be lighting on the same side with an.
other Boney."
All that winter and the next, all the
long summer between, old John dis
played his medal. When the report
Of Alma came his remarks ON the French
allure TO get into the fight were severe
What was they ever without Boney?'
ie would inquire.
But letter from his son after Inlser-
nan changed all that.
"Half of us was killed, and the rest
Il us clean tired with fighting" wrote
corporal Locke. what with a bullet
trough the flesh of my right leg and
he fatigue of using the bayonet so long,
was like 10 drop. .
The Russians were coming ON again .
s II there was no end TO them, when !
TRANCE drums came sounding in the
mist behind US, With that we closed q
p and faced half-round, thinking they /
ad outfianked us and the day was
one, so there was nothing more to do
ut make out 10 die hard, like the sons !
Watarloo man. You Hqnla hAxa