Daily Kennebec journal., 1898-12-03

Taps.

laps was only uoS, nut he held the
important Office of mascot to one OF
the artillery batteries that rendez-
voused in the South during the recent
war. He originally belonged to the
colonel of the regiment, but when he
left to take possession of a volunteer
corps he presented the dog-a fine set
ter-to the men of his battery. all of
whom had strong affection for him.
Taps was well disciplined. He at
tended all the drills, was generally to
be seen a few yards away at guard
mount, and at dress parade he often
stood directly behind the commanding
officer, and when the long line of of
ficers marched up. halted, and saluted,
ne would wag his tail-the only salute
he could give, calmly accepting the
courtesy with the colonel
AT night he accompanied the bugler
Who sounded taps, and then. visited
the various sentries on the grand
rounds making his headquarters with
the officer of the guard; and his name,
Taps, was given him for this persis-
tence, and for the reason that he was
always out after taps. In the Western
country. in another department, he
had once aroused. by his whining, the
suspicious of the sentry that some
thing was wrong. The guard could see
nothing. but Taps was insistent. whin-
ing and barking in very low, growl-
ing tone. The sentry finally called for
the corporal of the guard, and it was
discovered that an Uprising of the In
dians was in progreks, and that few
were concealed in | the neghboring
bush, prepared, it is believed, to steal
upon the guard late at night For this
and many reasons, Taps was beloved
by every trooper, and. in the terse
language of the men, nothing was too
good for him.
Finally orders CAME for the regiment
to move from the camp and go TO the
coast. The word had been given to
the engineer, the guns and caissons
We're piled on fiat cars, and the train
was just moving out. when some one
pulled the bell-rope and the train
came to standstill.
who pulled that bell-rope?" asked
an excited conductor. running up.
I'VE did," answered several troop
ers who came out of the car.
What did you do it for?' continued
the man.
"Why, Taps is not aboard"
Taps. who is Taps?" said the in
dignant conductor.
why. the battery dog"
DO you mean 10 say that you
stopped the train for dog? Go
ahead" he shouted to the engineer
"All right, go ahead. retorted the
spokesman of the troopers. Get off,
boys and let her go; but we don't go
until Taps reports, and at that the
men went pouring out of the train.
gathering about the conductor.
What's all this about?" asked the
captain, coming up. the men separat-
ing on either side.
why, just this. sir" said the con-
ductor; I'VE are scheduled to run out
at a certain time and your men have
stopped the train for a cur that has
been left
What, Taps" said the officer.
Yes, SIR said a trooper, saluting.
"The dog is not aboard, and we
couldn't desert him.
"All right, Mallory; only you should
have reported to me and / would have
requested the conductor to delay
Delay a whole train for dog when
the steamer is waitng!" exclaimed
the latter.
She will have to wait for Taps
rejoined the officer, who then gave
some instructions to his men, who
were soon running over the country
in every direction, whistling and call
ing for Taps. They covered the entire
bush in the vicinity, thinking that he
might have been injured: visited the
camp and the little town: but no Taps
could be found, and it was almost
night when the last StragglerS came
in.
The men were standing around the
chatting and irate engineer when the
captain called for the bug1erS of the
several batteries. "Get on the car and
sound the tattoo, and then taps" he
told them. The men climbed upon the
top Of car, raised their bugleS. and
sounded the notes that have so recent
ly aroused the enthusiasm and patriot
ism of all Americans. The silvery
notes rang out loudly and went echo
ing among the trees and far away to
the hills. Then the men listened.
the men listened, away off. in the di-
rection of wood. a sharp but faint
bark was heard. Again the bugles
sounded, and a great cheer arose
Louder became the barking, more
joyous the bugle-blasts until present
ly a big dog came tearing across the
stretch of open.
came tearing across the stretch of
open.
1t was Taps. and. borne aloft by
eager arms. he was hustled aboard
the train. His tongue was hanging
out, his hair clogged with mud. which
told the story. He had gone into
distant swamp to have a swim, and
had become mired, only. making his
escape under the influence of the
strains he knew so we'll.
Il suppose the expedition would
have been given up if that dog hadn't
been found" said the conductor, with
a fine sarcasm, to one of the troopers,
as he finally swung aboard the NOV
ing train.
II reckon you're right, son." the
man replied, on whose knee the big
muZZle Of Taps was resting; Il reckon
you're right. The outlook.
1t is a curious fact that when a Jap
anese woman is dressed in the national
costume. her husband always precedes
her when entering a room or i'm walking