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

been pleased TO see the looks of wnat
was left Of the old regiment, father
Then all of sudden u French
column came up the rise out of the
mist, roaring 'Nive I Empereurl' their
drums beating the charge. We gave
them room, for we were too dead tired
to go first On they went like mad at
the Russians, so that was the end of a
hard mornings work. was down.
tainted with loss of blood, but will
soon be fit for duty again. When l
came to myself there was n Frenchman
pouring brandy down my throat aud
talking in his gibberish as kind as any
Christian. Never word will say agin
them red-legged French again"
"Show me the man that would"
growled old John. at was never in
them French TO act cowardly. Didn't
they beat all the world, except us and
the duke?"
With the ending OF the Crimean war
our village was illuminated. Rows of
tallow candles In every window, fire.
works in a vacant field and torchlight
processionl Old John marched at it's
head in full regimentals, straight W
ramrod, the hero of the night
His son had been promoted sergeant
for bravery on the field. We boys
thought the old army OF Wellington
kept ghostly step with John Locke, while
aerial drums pealed and beat with re-
joicing at the new glory of English
speaking men.
AftAr that the old man araip wore
MS medal concealed. The Chinese wsr
OF 1857 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 to 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.
lie no longer carried his head high an
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 0utram ID
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 becak
stopped on their way and thrown into--
India against the mutineers. At that
news old John marched into the village
with prouder air than he had worn
for many days. His medal was again
displayed on his breast
II was but the next month, I 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
the Sixtieth regiment and headed by
Lteuts. Howe and SallScld, Serqts.
smith, Carmichael, Burgess and Locke"
The lawyer paused. Every eye turned
TO 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 therer'
he said. 'Read on"
"Sergt Carmichael, while layinR 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.. Salkeld, to do Its
duty
while trying to fire the charge he
was shot through one leg and arm. He
sank but handed the match TO Sergt'~'
burgess, who was at once shot dead.
sergt Locke, already wounded severe
" In the shoulder, then seized the
match and succeeded In firing the train,
he fell at that moment, literally riddled
with bullets"
"Rcad on said old John, in n deeper
'oice. All forboro to look twice upon
ais face.
Others OF the party were falling
Vhen the mighty gate was blown to
fragments, and the Oxford light in
antry' under Col. Campbell, rushed
nto the breach"
There was a long silence In the most
'iice till old John spoke once more.
The Lord God be thanked for all
us dealings with us. My son, Sergt.
-oeke, died well for England"
Nervously lingering the medal on his
reast, the old soldier wheeled about
nd marched proudly straight down
he middle of the village street TO his
,neiy cabin.
Inc villagers never saw him In ufeAA
gain. Next day he did not appear.
IL refrained from intruding on his
lourning. But in the evening. when
ne rector heard Of his parishioner's loss.
walked TO old Johns home.
There stretched upon his straw bed.
lay in his antique regimentals, stillcr
ian at attention, all his medals
lstened below that of Waterloo above
Is quiet neart
HIS right hand lay on an open Bible.
Is face wore an expression of looking
rever and ever upon sergt Locke
I'd the Great Commander who takes
lek unto Him the heroes He fashions
sweeten the world.-!Toronto Mail.