The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-11-18
TOMMY ATKINS.

" vi Il IL Il IN ~ ~.
1t was quite a romance in the begin
ming, rather funny in the middle, and
in the end positively audacious.
Little Gertie Kingston, driving po-
ny along country lane that skirted a
big field in which battalion ofsoldiers
were exercising, pulled up to watch
them, when without the least warning,
down went the front rank on their
knees. An officer shouted Fire" and
off went the pony as fast as he could
lay his legs to the ground.
Remembering very steep unprotect-
ed declivity not more than mile
ahead, the frightened girl-she was
only 13-set her foot against the splash
board and pulled desperately.
She cut her gloves to ribbons, but
Bobs galloped on with speed unabated,
and, dashing around corner almost
plunged into a company of soldiers.
The men sprang right and left-all
but one. He made leap at the runa-
way and caught hold of his bride.
Terrified anew, the pony dragged him
some little distance, but failing to shake
him off, eventually gave up the strug-
gle.
OF course, Gertie burst into tears
when quite sure the danger was over.
So the soldier got up beside her and
drove her half mile on her way.
"Pve only shilling" she said, offer
ing the coin. al wish it was a sover-
eign. If you'll tell me your name Un-
Gle John will send you one. l thank
you very much, and shall never forget
that you saved my life"
The soldier took the shilling and
eyed it comically. He was well set
up fellow, and he looked very hand
some in his red coat. So, at least, Miss
Gertie thought.
II can't take this, don't you know"
he said smilingly.
And he tossed the shilling into Ger
ties lap.
"But won't you tell me your manner"
she urged, thinking that the smallness
of the reward was the reason ofits nom
acceptance.
The soldier laughed merrily.
"With pleasure. It's Tommy Atkins.
Private Tommy Atkins. Now don't
you forget il"
And with another laugh off he ran,
Gertie watching him, very sorry that
the despised shilling was all she had.
The soldiers formed when Private
Atkins" rejoined them, and, turning
the corner at the double quick, passed
out of the girls sight.
Nine years passed. Gertie was now
Miss Kingston, of Balcomer. She had
not expected any such good stroke of
fortune, but two male cousins had died,
and third had offended, and Mr.. Ray
nor, who, being able to dispose of his
property Us he saw fit, had bequeathed
a few thousands to the offending neph-
ew and the Ba'comer estate TO Gertie.
The girl, never to her knowledge, had
met this distant cousin Richard; nor,
indeed, was she aware that she had dis
placed him. That had been kept from
her.
During all these years she had not
forgotten Tommy Atkins, the name by
which she persisted in speaking of the
soldier who had stopped her pony. AL
though only private, he was her typi-
cal hero, veritable Paladin.
1t was not surprising, therefore, that
one of her first resolves, on realizing
what seemed to her unlimited wealth,
should be to reward her hero in prop
er manner
Having learned that the Hertfordshire
Fusiliers were stationed at Pembury
she visited jewelers. shop and bought
an elaborate gold watch and a massive
chain of the same costly metal. The
watch she left TO be suitably engraved.
as follows:
Presented to Tommy Atkins, of the
1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment,
by Gertrude Kingston, as mark of
gratitude"
II don't suppose that is the soldiers
name" Miss Kingston explained, "but
/ want to put it on the watch. He
saved my life, and that was the name
he gave me.n
Having purchased the most expen-
sive purse the shop contained, she
placed inside it five bank notes, and
when the watch was delivered she set
out alone for Pembury.
To and fro before the door which led
to the officers quarters at Pembury bar
racks, Private CLOSEUP was going sem
try-go.
Miss Kingston stopped in her path.
"Can you tell me,n sheasked, ''ifthere
is soldier here named Tommy
Thomas Atkins"'
Private Atkins grounded his Lee
Metford.
That's my name" he said, with
knowing wink; then bringing his lie
to his shoulder smarliy, he marched to
the sentry box, turned right about face
.ad marched back.
AT this juncture Sergeant Smith APP
peared in the doorway, smart in sash,
gloves and sword, and swinging a nat
ty cane. Miss Kingston addressed her
question 10 him.
Somebody's been having you on
toast, Miss" he answered, interrupting
the explanation which she had con-
Guided was very necessary.
Stepping aside t. MAKE room, he -
luted an officer who passed in-taii and
handsome, with face bronzed to cup
per color. The battalion had not long
returned from India.
.sThat is hew exclaimed Miss King