Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-04-13
REFUSING A BARoNETCY.
D First Sergeant In the United states
Marines Who Wanted to Re-
main IncoRnitO.

All sorts and conditions of men 60 TO
Uake up the enlisted personnel OF a
| man-of-war, and, as a rule, nothing is
known Of the ante-naval history Of
most of the men-o'-warsmen, who come
from every walk Of life. 1t is not sur
prising. therefore. that now and then
a bit of romance is revealed when the
history OF some of these lads of the sea
Is made known by accident
But perhaps the most romantic Incl
| dent of them all was that of the first
| sergeant of marines npon one of our
| ships in eastern waters. who. under re-
| inarkabe circumstances, came TO be Of
fered an unusual Christmas gift. which
he would not accept. This first SER
geant was the ideal soldier, German
by birth evidently. neat, trim, an ex-
sellent disciplinarian. and favorite
with the men. who. however. were
! never familiar with him. There was
something about the sergeant that
made it impossible for his comrades TO
treat him flippantly, as seafaring men
usually do each other.
The cruise was drawing to a close
and the ship was lying in tropical
port on Christmas day. with broiling
sun overhead and a sea Of glass about
her Christmas trees rose above the
mastheads. and bunting decked the
vessels fore and aft, while the men be-
meath the awnings on the cold-white
deck were enjoying their Christmas
sports of athletic games, with the first
sergeant as referee. A Christmas din
uer laid on tables on the forward deck
awaited the ending of the sports, and
300 jolly faces watched the fun and
made bets upon the results.
THE German consul is coming along
side. SIR" reported the quartermaster
Jn watch TO the officer Of the deck.
-Four side. boys" sang out the latter,
and the boatswEin's mate piped the side
as the German consul came over the
lrangway. He was escorted TO the
cabin and the interrupted sports went
on. The prizes were awarded and the
Christmas spread duly enjoyed at the
various tables. and nowhere more than
mess. of which the first sergeant was
member Permission to smoke was
granted. and the first sergeant had just
lighted his pipe when the messenger OF
the watch came TO him and said: The
officer of the deck wants TO see you,
sergeant" Dropping his pipe he went
aft to the malnmast, where be was
surprised TO find awaiting him not only
the officer Of he deck, but the captain
and q civilian, who proved to be the
German consul.
Sergeant" said the captain, this
gentleman has something to say TO
YOU" and while the well-drilled marine
stood at attention the consul said:
Baron Won Schrader, l bring You a
Christmas gift" The first sergeant did
not forget ne was a soldier, and, al
though his face expressed the utmost
surprise. be saluted and said inter
negatively: Eyes. sir?" "Nour father.
the old baron. and your elder brother,
continued the consul, have both been
dead for six months, and we have been
all this time trying 10 find you-a diff
cult task, since, as il proves, you en-
listed under an assumed name. How
ever. we have accomplished our task
and il gives me much pleasure to hand
gen these papers. which prove your
right to the title and the estate OF your
late father"
The first sergeant took the papers
mechanically, but stood at attention.
soldier still.
"Now. sergeant" said the captain
"of course you will want your dis
charge. How much longer have you to
scrve?"
-Four months. sir" answered Baron
von Schrader. the first sergeant.
well. | think il can be arranged, -
said the captain. and, now that you
are so great a gentleman" he added
smilingly, "of course you will not care
to take your place among the crew"
The first sergeant hesitated, then sa-
luted and said: "Sir. l do not think
am q greater gentleman now than ]
have been, and, If this matter can be
kept from the crew. sir, ] would rather
serve out my enlistment"
The captain thought a moment, and
then said: VERY well, sergeant. you
may go forward
And serve out his enlistment he did,
refusing this strangely offered Christ.
mas gift. and no one forward was a
whit the wiser. nor did they learn that
their sergeant was baron until he had
put aside with honor the uniform 81
! Uncle Sam aud entered into his new es-
tate in his Rhenish bome.-Cinciunati
/ Enquirer.
The Professional burglar.
The professional burglars belong 10
! q snecinI Gins stereotNned and eNcln-