The Washington times., 1902-03-16
A HERO OF TOURNAY.
By TOM HALL.

Ut was the dreary end of a winter af
ternoon. | had been reading for hours
i in snug corner of the Astor Lii
brary and had fallen into a half
somnoIent revery which, in short time,
would have induced actual slumber, when
my attention was attracted to the figure
of man dressed in a manner so grotes-
que (at least to my eyes,, and who bore
such an evident air of antiquity that all
the vagrant fancies of my day dream were
banished in an instant.
Much to my embarrassment, the strange
gentleman approached me. evidently with
the intention of rebuking me or drawing
me into conversation, which would have
been in either case q dsagreeable devel-
opnent of the situation.
The only weapon he carried was prirn-
tive sort Of bayonet have since found.
after much research. that the costume he
wore was the uniform of the Foot Guards
of Queen Anne. And is the only verifica
tion l can make. even to myself, Of the
narrative that is to follow.
Good SIR said the stranger to me. in
dialect which. though evidently En-
glish, was as strange to me as his cos
tune. and which 1 would not attempt TO
initiate or describe, Can you read?''
His question can be considered, 1 think.
as startlingly silly. To ask me. a gradu-
ate of college, confirmed student, even
writer of books, If 1 could read-how
absurd!
do you not see." said I. somewhat
testify. that I am reading?"
81 thought it was possible" replied my
unwelcome questioner; but 1 have never
seen one read. and I was not sure"
81 can read" l said simply.
Have you read much?" he continued.
That is a matter depending entirely
on comparison with the reading of 9TH
ers," l answered. For an average man
l have read great DEAL
Then said ne, and his face bright
ened with intense interest, you have
read of the great Duke of Marlborough"
Most assuredly." I replied; Il have
read great deal about him. 1 can de-
scribe to you minutely the battles of
Blenheim-'
81 was there" he broke in.
Families, Oudenarde-''
Il was at both, and all the sieges be-
tween"
"Malplaquet-'
Nay, I was not there. That must
have been after became famous as Eng
lands bravest soldier"
'Indeed,' exclaimed, becoming great
ly interested. You are then England's
bravest soldier? That is a title that has
been aspired to by many. and they say
fairly won by many, too. May 1 ask, sir,
who you are?"
81, my good SIR he answered. solemn
ly and impressively. "am the famous
Henry Hawkins"
You have read OF the siege Of Tour
nay?" he continued.
1T occurred late in the summer OF
17O9,'' l answered. Both town and cita-
del were eventually captured by the Duke
of Marlborough, after the fiercest OF fight
ing. while Prince Eugene held off the re-
lieving army of Marshal Yallars-"
Right" he interjected. Your history
is right in all that. but does it make no
mention Of Henry Hawkins?"
None whatever. Did this Henry Haw-
kins-yourself, I presume-have title?
He was to have had at least post
humous title answered my strange
friend. Whether he has or not 1 have
been unable to determine. l have Oft
times looked at the book of peerage, but,
being unable to read it, it was of no
use.-Neither can any Of my contempo-
raries who were learned, read the book
on account of what they call the ridieu-
lous spelling of the present day. Nor can
l find my bust in Westminster Abbey. But
l have supposed that was because OF the
bad likeness You have no idea how ter
ribly famous men are misrepresented by
artists and sculptors."
''Oh, yes, have" said I; Il had my
photograph taken once"
But It seemed to me that history must
have recorded the noble achievements of
Henry Hawkins in the mines of Tour
nay"
II am afraid" answered that 1t does
not But what was this achievement"
Il am a brave man. sir. or perhaps l
should say l was brave man, and it
would i'll beft me to speak of my deeds
of daring; but from what you say, str,
know that l must have been forgotten,
and perhaps the world will as soon forget
nv lack of modesty in telling you. The
fact is, sir, if 1 had known earlier how
soon the world forgets l would have had
a good deal more fun with the lassies OF
Alnwick, and lived a good deal longer,
too, l make bold to think.
Dying to my mind was a cheap price
for such distinctions, but to win such a
thing the act had to be comitted under ,
the very eyes of the great duke him
self. otherwise, some superior officer
would claim the credit. Well. the chance
came at Tournay. You know what ter
ribIe siege it was, sir. l have no doubt
that the awful carnage there put stop
to war forever
NO" said 1; there have been many
wars since
You do not mean it,!' he continued.
why. they blew us up from below, and
blew us down from above, and blew us off !
into eternity from all sides. Those ac-
cursed French engineers sank pockets of
gunpowder in the ground everywhere and
a brave man had no chance at all
There have been many deadlier con-
trivances introduced in war than mining
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