Connecticut western news., 1894-02-22
A BIG RUNAWAY.

3h1ll1ng at St. GeOrges DarracKS ln Trafalgar square and found himself duly enlisted for Indian service, he be- lieved that his career was made. He pictured the day when he would return to his native Norfolk village wearing an officers uniform and the Victoria cross. This was foolish dream, but his 29 years had been spent entirely in the country.
 Tom was genial fellow, with many good traits. and the blind bravery of Ghazi fanatic. Under different cir cumstances all that was best in him might have come to the front. But he went to India in a time of peace. He fell among bad companions and became addicted to drinking, gambling and host of minor evils. His popularity in- creased among the men in proportion to his bad record among the officers. At the end of year Tom Rallies was considered the worst scapegrace in the regiment--in all India, some did not scruple to say. Half his time was spent in the guardhouse or doing extra duty. More than once he tried to reform. but failed. Then he became reckless and
 
 In three years he served at as many different military stations. Then the heavy battery-for Tom was a gunner was transferred to Lahore, away up in the Punjab.
 The officer under whose command the battery now came was Colonel Strat- ford. rigid martinet, but withal just man. His affections were centered on his 17-year-old son Bertie, who had re gently come out from England. Bertie was as handsome and plucky lad as one could wish to see. He did pretty much as he chose and was idoiized by officers and men alike.
 Bertie immediately struck up an ac- quaintance with Tom Rallies, and it speedily ripened to fast friendship. Both hailed from Norfolkshire, and they had many reminiscent chat about sailing and fishing on the famous Broads.
 Rallies believed that Bertie was igno- rant of his bad reputation, so he be- haved himself admirably for whole month. The colonel was secretly pleased. He sometimes allowed Bertie to ride on Rallies gun carriage behind the two elephants.
 But evil days were coming. Bertie went north to Rawal Pindi on a visit, and the next day it was reported off cially that the Black mountain tribes were not going to fight.
 This double blow was too much for ! Rallies. In a freak of madness, in duced by intoxication, he surreptitious- l ly borrowed an officers uniform and horse one dark night and rode out to | the cantonments.
 Two days later squad of cavalry found him at the palace of the rajah of Mutton. He had just dined with the native prince and was expatiating | on the merits of his hosts costly cigars and wine.
 aes resigned himself to the inevitable | during the week that he lay in dark cell.
 | Then it chanced that the governor general and his staff come north on a tour of inspection. A grand revlew and maneuvers were ordered at Lahore | cantonments.
 l Colonel Stratford was in a quandary. He had no gunner whom he could trust to i'll Rallies place on so important an occasion. Rallies had even more control over the two elephants than their native drivers. Sultan, the leader, was great ly attached to him. So. rather than run the risk of spelling the review, the colonel decided to establish military precedent by granting Rallies short leave of absence from the guardhouse. At sunrise on the appointed day the plain before the cantonments was 6 scene of martial glory. Bodies of cav. airy and infantry moved to and fire amid sparkle of arms and equipments. The heavy battery came last-six pol. ished guns. mounted by six proud ar. tillerymen. Each gun carriage was drawn by two burly elephants. and or top of each elephant was turbaned
 Hindoo, with steel prod in his hand.
 At last the governor general and
 staff arrived from Lahore. and the cere
 monies began. A certain order wal given to the heavy battery. As they
 fell into motion Bertie Stratford leapet
 upon Rallies gun carriage.
 Rallies wished that he could sink ou,
 of sight. His face turned red and pur ! pie. "I-I thought you were at Rawa
 Pindi," he stammered. II came bacl
 last night" replied Bertie. II say
 Rallies, I'm awfully sorry for you
 Whatever possessed you to'-
 I'm afraid you'll get in trouble fo
 this,'' interrupted Rallies, pretending
 not to understand. The colonel vii
 be furious to see an outsider on gul
 carriage at such a time. Why, we'r,
 right Tn the middle of the review"
 He don't see me yet" said Bertie
 He's too much taken with his lord
 ship. Anyway can't jump off now. ,
 This was true, since the battery wa
 trundling along at rapid gait. Raf
 Hes accepted the situation without fur
 ther comment.
 The battery was performing cir
 cular movement which was to bring
 in triumph past the governor genera
 and staff. It was now on the opposit
 side of the circle and close to the track
 of the Penilisular railway.
 Just as the leading gun earring
 veered of to lett, the fast express trail
 AEORu CSudW IA SdAAiO ooohAhS oAOhS "As
 loud jingle of bells and hissing o
 steam.
 1t was a most unfortunate encounter
 Of the whole i2 elephants but two wer
 unaccustomed to the railway. Sulta
 and Nabob, who drew Rallies gun cal
 riage. both hated and feared the stea1
 cars. They reared and plunged au
 trumpeted shrilly. Then, mad wit terror and deaf to the exhortations an '. prodding of the native mahouts. the