The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-01-05
TOMMY ATKINS.

IUMM L AIklNS.
1t was quite romance in the beginning
rather funny in the middle, and in the end
positively audacious.
Little Gertie Kingston, driving a pony
along country lane that skirted big
field in which q battalion Of soldiers was
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, unprotected
declivity not more than mile ahead, the
frightened girl-she was only 13-set her
feet against the splashboard and pulled
desperately She cut her gloves to ribbons,
but Bob 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 leap at the runaway 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 struggle.
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.
"I've only shilling" she said, offering
the coin. II wish it was a sovereign. II
you tell me your name, Uncle John will
send you one l thank you very much,
and shall never forget that you saved
my life."
Tho soldier took the shilling and eyed it
comically. He was well set up fellow,
and he looked very handsome in his red
coat So at least Gertie Thought.
~ can't take this, don't you KNOW" he
said, smiling
And no tossed the shilling into Gertie's
lap,
"But won't you tell me your name?"
she urged, thinking the smallness of the
reward was the reason of its nonaccept-
ance.
The soldier laughed merrily.
with pleasure It's Tommy Atkins,
Private Tommy Atkins. Now don't you
forget it,
And, with another laugh, off he ran,
Gertie watching him, very sorry that the
despised shilling was all she had The SOL
Joined them, and turning the corner at the
double passed out of the girls sight.
Gertie was visiting her uncle, John Ray
nor of Balcomer.
"You will send it, won't your" she ask
ed.
"Oh yes, certainly, my DEAR" he an
swered, laughing. ITO Private Tommy
Atkins of the Hartford fusileers2 1t must
be Dicks regiment There's no other in
the county. Wouldn't the fellows roar!
But it shall BIO sent, Gertie. I'll forward it
to the canteen keeper. Then your particular
Tommy will be pretty sure to get share
of the proceeds.
Nine years passed by Gertie was now
Miss Kingston of BalComer. She had not
expected any such stroke of fortune, but
two male cousins had died, and third had
offended Mr.. Raynor, who, being able to
dispose of his property as he saw it, had
bequeathed few thousands to the offend
ing nephew and the Balcomer estate to
Gertie
The girl never, to her knowledge, met
this distant cousin Richard, nor, indeed,
was she aware that she had displaced him.
That had been kept from her.
During all those years she had not for
gotten Tommy Atkins, the name by which
she persisted in speaking of the soldier
who had stopped her pony. Although only
q private, he was her typical hero, veri
table 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 proper manner.
1L.t 4t,,, oval
fusileers were stationed at Pembury, she
visited jewelers. shop and bought an
elaborate gold watch and a massive chain
of tho same costly metal. The watch she
left to be suitably engraved
Presented to Tommy Atkins of the
First battalion, Hortfordshirc regiment
by Gertrude Kingston rs u mark of graft
tude. "
II don't suppose that Is the soldiers
name," Miss Kingston explained, "but
want it put on the watch. He saved my
life, and that was the name he gave me-"
Having purchased the most expensive
purse the shop contained, she placed inside
it five bank notes. When the watch had
been delivered, she set out alone for Penn
bury.
TO and fro the door which led to the Of
ficers' quarters at Pembury barracks Pri-
vate CLOSEUP was doing sentry go.
Miss Kingston stopped in her path
"Can you tell me, she asked, III there
Is a soldier here named Tommy-Thomas
Atkins"
Private CLOSEUP grounded his Lee-Met-
ford.
"That's my name" he said, with q
knowing wink. Then bringing his rifle
to the shoulder smartly, he marched to the
sentry box, turned right about face and
marched back
At this juncture Sergeant Smith up
peared in the doorway, smart in sash,
gloves and sword, and swinging natty
cane. Miss Kingston addressed her ques-
ton to him.
Somebody's been having you on toast,
miss" he answered, interrupting the ex-
PLANTATION which she had concluded was
very necessary.
Stepping aside to make room, he saluted
an officer who passed in-tall and hand
some, with face bronzed to copper color.
The battalion had not long returned from
India.
"That Is her' exclaimed Miss Kingston.
~ should know him anywhere Will you
kindly tell him that lady wishes to speak
to himP Stay moment" she went on,
producing her cardcase. "Give him this
card and say am the girl whose life he
saved near ralcomer about nine years ago
My pony ran away and he stopped 1t. I
dare say he will remember "
,1,,.