New-York tribune., 1900-08-19
ACTIVE SERVICE.
Harold Begbie. in Punch.

Harold Begbie in Punch
bomb exploded the breakfast table of
captain and Mrs Caraway. Just as Mrs Cara
way was pouring boiling water upon the Indian
"Jane!' cried the old gentleman; I'm called
cut Ihey want me at the depot"
oe so cruel,"
They want me Immediately" he made an
sWer And then his wife burst into tears.
You See, Captain Caraway was in the carpet
supper period OF life He had never been keen
soIuIer, ana with his twelve years Of service ac-
ccmp4shed, and his pension attained. the gentle
souled little man had laid by his uniform and re
tired into civil life with a glad heart On his
pension and small income enjoyed by Mrs.
CaraWay the worthy couple had lived for many
years on the outskirts Of London, going regu-
IarIy TO church on Sunday and tending their
garden and three Persian cats during the week.
he enYied no general his fame, never abused the
war Office, belonged 10 no military club, and
looked pack on his soldering as the majority Of
undergraduates look back on their schoOldays.
Ihat he should ever buckle his armor again
was the last thought that ever entered the Cap
tain's placid mind.
Now while Mrs. Caraway dreaded the break
lng up OF the home more than anything else,
captain Caraway, II must be confessed, viewed
the order from the War Office in other lights
as we'll To go back 10 barracks meant to him
return TO bullying. or, at any rate, to what
schooiboys cali raging His colonel man
named Watt, he remembered distinctly
me, dashing major, who loved to make him the
putt OF messroom W1tticisms. If, then he had
Been ragged by the major in those faTaWay
days of his early manhood, how much more
would he find himself chaffed and teased now
that he in middle life and less like a sol
der than ever? Thoughts of this kind gnawed
al captain Caraways heart, but he kept them
from his wife
Mrs, Caraway was a fine. busJling woman
Her first grief over the good woman insisted
on making the old uniform do and herself let
II out where necessary, arranging for belts and
sashes TO hide the trail Of her needle. I'VE must
save as much as possible she said when her
sband hinted that Watt was always very par
ticular about kit.
Then the day came for Captain Caraway to
depart AS he kissed his wife thoughts of all
she had been to him, all she had grown TO mean
TO him. surged unanimously into his heart.
80" nat shall do without my pretty Jane?"
he. cried.
Take care of yourself" she answered. and
remember to see that your servant airs your
me-" she went IN, that you will change your
boots and socks whenever you have been out in
the rain?'
4 promise he said. little hoarsely.
Then il will soon be over" said she. cheer
fully, and you will come back safe and sound
I wrote last night TO the Colonel. asking him
10 See that your bed aired''-
Jane" he shrieked in horror.
Dear George. What is it?
You don't mean TO say you asked the Colonel
to air my bed p"
''Of course, did. Now, none of your ridicu-
lous nonsense about military etiquette. wrote
secretly, because knew you would be sure TO
raise some trifiing objection OF that kind. Your
life. my dear, is much too precious for me to
stand on ceremony IN things Of this kind Good
by. George. goodby; and promise that you will
change your boots'--
And 50 he departed from London.
II was sunset when he arrived at the country
station and hailed a fly. The train vas late.
and with a three miles drive before him he was
fearful OF arriving late for mess. Never did
miIksOp entering school for the first time suffer
greater tOrments than did poor CaTaWay during
that drive The thought that his wife had asked
the Colonel-the COlonel!-tO air his bed caused
the poor fellow infinite anguish. He pictured to
himself the fate in front Of him The Colonel
would meet him the steps of the quarters
with carpet slippers and tumbler Of warm
milk The other would BE- grinning at the
COlOneTs side, and saying over and over again
Are you quite sure, sir. that you've aired Cap
tain Caravans bed And his servant would
be in the background witnessing his humiliation.
The mess walters wOuli have heard the Colonel
roaring his wife's fatal letter that very
morning At breakfast. and all the men in
barracks would Be making merry at his expense.
But worse than forfeiting his company's respect
was the prospect Of being baited by the young
sprigs Of subalterns What would they say to
him2 What would they DO 70 him? cold wind
blew across the darkenins fields The suns last
beams fiickered behind the chimneys Of a manu-