The evening times., 1896-01-12
A STORY OF WATERLOO.
Henry IrvinR's Wonderful Creation In
New Play by A. Conan DOyle.

Henry IrvinG's Wonderful Creation In
New Play by A. Conan Doyle.
On Saturday night, January 1s, Of his
Henry Irving viii present, in connection
with THE Bells" q remarkable new one
act play by the renowned author, DR..
A. Conan Doyle, entitled, "A Story Of
Waterloo" Not even In any of his famous
analytical aud syuihet ical stories-the
Sherlock Holmes creations, for instance
has Dr.. Conan Doyle so aptly aud faith
fully developed character as In the case
of the aged veteran and pensioner, Corp.
Gregory Brewster, the role which Henry
Irving has created. The story of the
play is intensely interesting, and below
a resume of the same is given, taken from
the prompt book of the London Lyceum
library-the play never having been pub
lished.
The time is June, 1881. The scene, a
front room in a small house In Wool
witch. There is a cooking range at the
fire, and above the fire Is rude paint
ing of an impossible military pan with
a bearskiD. On one side of this painting
is.a cutting from newspaper, framed.
On the other side is a medal, also framed.
There are q center table, a Bible ON a small
liable In window, wooden chair with
cushion, rack holding plates, etc.
At the rise OF the curtain the room is
empty, but Eorah Brewster, a country
girl, who is grandniece OF the cor
poral. enters. and we learn that has house
keeper, who somewhat ill-treated the old
man, has left him, and NOrah has been sent
by her parents in Essex to fulfill those
duties. While she is preparing breakfast
Sergt. Archie Mcdonald or the Royal Ar
tillery enters, on ''hospitable cares in
tent" having heard that the old gentle
man was not looked after quite as. well as
might be-" but all approximations on that
score score are set ee e. .a rest by the presence of
, CHANGING around, of plsa aNraetttton Of the
sergeant is called to tfH % printed
and framed paper, which ID f An. down,
and he reads: "0n Tuesday ali interest
ing ceremony was performed at the bar
racks OF the Third Regiment OF Guards, when
in the presence OF the Prince Regent, a
special medal was presented to Corporal
Gregory Brewster or Capt. Haldane's flank
company, in recognition gf ~ -a'r- in the
recent great battle. On the t, 4 memorable
18th OF June four companies of zoe T .iird
Guards and the Coldstreans. held the i'm
portant farmhouse Of Hugymount, at che
right OF the British position.
AT O critical period of the action these
troops found themselves short of powder,
ana bIeWSttf WIS 10 tne
rear to hasten up the reserve ammunition.
The corporal returned with two tumbrels Of
the Nassau division, but he found that in
his absence the hOwitzer fire of the French
had ignited the hedge around the farm, and
that the passage of the carts filled with
powder had become almost an impnssibility.
The first tumbrel exploded, blowing the
driver to pieces. and his comrade, daunted
by the sight, turned his horses: but Corp.
Brewster, springing into his seat hurled the
man down, and urging the cart through the
flames, succeeded in reioining his comrades.
Long may the heroic Brewster live to treas
lre the medal which he has SO bravely won,
and TO look back with pride to the day wher
In the presence of his comrades, he receivet
this tribute TO his valor from the hands of
The first gentleman of the realm"
q. f-s.--
The sergeant, who is due at the butts,
lakes his leave, and Corp. Brewster comes
lettering in. He is gaunt. bent and dod-
feriDg, with white hair and wizened face.
He taps his way across the room and ex-
claims querulously: Il wants my rationsi
The cold nips me without 'em. See my
hands. Rum is warm and schnapps is warm,
and there's eat in soup. but give me dish
Of tea for ch'ice." Norah makes known her
Identity, and the old mans mind goes