Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-27

than his name, but he Is true 10 the
type of Napoleon's drummer boy who
didn't know how to beat retreat"
Attached TO the Gordon Highlanders,
who seem always to be prowllng around
when there is any stOrfning OF heights
to be done, be 1t in Europe. Asia or
Africa, he and they mounted the slope
at the crest OF which the Beers had
their strOnghold--al cheering Justify
and driving everything before them un-
Ill they reached the summit, with the
Deyons, Manchesters and Imperial
light horse at their heels, when sud-
denly a bugle call rang out, Cease
fringi Retreat" True, It was Boer
trick and a Boer trumpet that was be-
ing wlnded to demoralize the red
coats" but they didn't know II. The
British soldier is a machine, who obeys
without thinking. and he did cease fir
ing and was about to retreat when this
pint-measure chap jumped into the
breach.
Retreat be damned" he screamed,
and then, lifting his bugle and putting
his whole heart into one blow, he sent
the "Charge!" rocketing over the hill
Some OF the men heard the swear and
tAi liNhlh l4lN NntANs NY NAAaA kNhf anu
the Boer line was split and shattered
Ii was a drummer who had the honor
to be the youngest man who ever wore
the Victoria Cross. His name was
Michael Magner. and his chance came
at the storming Of Magdala. under Lord
Napier, IN Abyssnia. The path leading
TO the gate OF the fortress was filled
with obstacles. and the defenders OF the
a n ttsffh.ptaU fire
II. Led by the drummer boy. a small
party climbed the hill by circuitous
path. forced their way through
breastwork OF thorns and engaged the
enemy, beating them back Then the
main body OF the army advanced and
the works were taken. The drummer
boy was one OF the first TO enter.
Then there Is Corp, Farmer. whom
everybody knows as Farmer. OF Ma
juba HILL" He was a member of the
army hospital corps, and, OF course,
II was his business TO look after Colley's
men In that CHASTITY massacre Corp
Farmer and his comrades had gathered
the wounded men together in a little
hollow OF the hill. for shelter, but the
Beers were pouring bullets In every
where, and the wounded soldiers were
being wounded a second time. Farmer
found white flag and waved II over :,
the little group, when a ball passed
through his flag arm. He said. Never
mind. I've got another" and lifted the
flag again in his left hand. when that
was shot through, too. Then he fell,
only few yards away from Gen. Col
ley.
I've got tired telling the story" he
said TO me last night when | asked
II he would put Il In his own words He
Is assistant doorkeeper at the Criterion
theater, and after helping to form the
long cue OF people that walt outside
the pit entrance every night he guards
one OF the exits.
1T was In February that was shot"
he said, land got my cross in August.
was sick in the hospital at New |
castle, though, until the last OF May,
Yes. the queen herself gave me the |
cross, at Osborne House, in the Isle OF |
Wight. My general went with me. and !
when We came In the queen said, This |
is one OF the bravest men ! have, isn't |
he. generalg The general just nodded |
his head. The queen pinned the cross
on my coat and said. L am proud OF |
you, and / hope you'll have a long |
life, My arm was all bandaged and In |
splints, and she laid her hand on It |
and caressed II. left the cross where |
she nut II until that coat was worn |
SOS / couldn't wear II any longer.
TN a modest man. he went on. |
I'm one OF the modestest Of men. but |
I'll say this 10 you about what ] did |
Most Of the men whO've won the cross
have advanced on ambuscadcs or |
fought under fire that came from they |
didn't know where. But I tell you / |
knew ! was shot through both arms
by the same man, and tell you It's
hard 10 stand there and be potted, and |
then hold up ready to be pot,ed again"
Farmer wears his cross all the time,
but Is inclined TO be critical regarding
the worlds treatment OF him. II ain't
one % the favored few OF wealthy
nation he said. That Majuba Hin
business was all right. and II got a lot
OF advertising: but there was no money
In II. I've had my picture printed. no
end OF II, and I've got a whole book OF