Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1896-12-15
TOMMY ATKINS REWARD

ming, rather funny in the middle, and
in the end positively audacious.
Little Gertie Kingston, driving Q
pony along q country lane that skirted
q big field in which a battalion Of sol
diers were exercising, pulled up to
watch them, when, without the least
provocation, down went the front rank
on their knees An officer shouted
"Firel" and of went the pony as fast
as he could lay his legs to the ground.
Remembering very steep, unpro-
tected declivity not much more than
mile ahead, the frightened girl, she
was only 10, set her feet against tho
splash board and pulled desperately.
She cut her gloves to ribbons, but Bobs
galloped on with speed undated, and,
dashing round corner, almost plunged
into company Of soldiers.
The men sprang right and left-all
but one. He made q leap at the run
away and caught hold Of his bride.
Terrified anew, the pony dragged him
some little distance, but, falling to
shake him off, eventually gave up the
struggle.
OF course Gertie burst into tears
when she was quite sure the danger
was over. So the soldier got up beside
her and drove her half mile on her
way.
''I've only shilling" she said, offer
ing the coin. II wish it was a sover-
eign. If you'll tell me your name, Uncle
John will send you one. thank you
| T,1, Ill \
you saved my life"
The soldier took the shilling and eyed
It comically. He was o well-set-up
young fellow, and he looked very hand
some in his red coat. So, at least, Ger
tie thought.
"I can't take this, don't you know
he said, smiling.
And he tossed the shilling into Ger
ties lap.
"But won't you tell me your name? n
she urged, thinking the smallness Of
the reward was the reason Of Its non.
acceptance.
The soldier laughed merrily.
''With pleasure. It's Tommy Atkins
Private Tommy Atkins. Now don'ty you
forget it."
And, with another laugh, off he ran
Gertie watching him very sorry tina,
the despised shilling was all she had
The soldiers formed up when "Privatx
Atkins" rejoined them, and, turning
the corner at the double. passed out Of
the girls sight.
Gertie was visiting her uncle, Johr
Raynor, of Balcomer. "You will send 1t
won't your" she asked.
ooh, yes, certainly, my dear" he an
swered, laughing. ITO Private Tommy
Atkins, of the Hertford fusileersp I
must be Dicks regiment. There's nj
other in the county. Wouldn't the fel
lows roar! But it shall be sent, Gertie
I'll forward 1t to the canteen-keeper
then your particular Tommy will b
pretty sure to get share Of the pro
ceeds."
Nine years passed by. Gertie wa
, now Miss Kingston, Of Balcomer. sh,
had not expected any such stroke o
: fortune, but two male cousins had died
: and third had offended Mr.. Raynoa
> who, being able to dispose Of his prop
erty as, he thought fit, had bequeathe
: q few thousand to tho oHendin
nephew and the Balcomer eitate {
= Gertie.
The girl had never, to her knowledg,
= met this distant Cousin Richard, no,
: indeed, was she aware that she had dil
:. placed him. That had been kept fror
= her.
= During all those years she had no
y forgotten Tommy Atkins, the nam
q by which she persisted in speaking G
e the soldier who had stopped her pom,
: Although only private he was he
= typical hero, q veritable Paladin.
: 1t was not surprising, therefore, tha
one Of her first resolves. on realizin
what seemed to her unlimited wealth
i should be to reward her hero in
!. proper manner.
+ Having ascertained that the Herr
!. ford fusieers were stationed at Pen
v bury, she visited jewelers. shop an
/. bought an elaborate gold watch and
h massive chain Of the same costly meta
q The watch she left to be suitably or
graved.
[ Presented to Tommy Atkins, Of th
d First battalion Hertfordshire req imsn
e by Gertrude Kingston, as mark G
] gratitude"
a II don't suppose that is the soldier
y name," explained Miss Kingston. "Bu
T l want 1t put on the watch. He save
i my life and that was the name he CAV
n me-"
Having purchased the most e.
S pensive purse the shop contained, oh
n placed inside it five bank notes. Whe
$ the watch had been delivered she se
h out alone for Pembury.
b To and fro before the door which IL
$ to the officers quarters at Pembur
a barracks Private Glossop was dom
n sentry-go.
Miss Kingston stopped in his path.
Can you tell me-" she asked, %
there Is a soldier here named Tomm
Thomas Atkins ?"
: Private Glossop grounded his lie.
r Metford.
Somebody's been having you o
toast, MISS" he answered, interrupt
. Ing the explanation which she had COZ
:, Guided was very necessary.
!, Stepping aside to make room, he 81
luted an officer who had passed in.-ta
and handsome, with face bronzed t
copper color. The battalion had nc
:. long returned from India.
4 That Is he!" exclaimed Miss Kings
- ton. II should know him anywher,
2 Will you kindly tell him that lad
wishes to speak to him? Stay me-
= lent," she went on, producing he
% % rd ooca HC;,o IT, ~