The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-27
THE EVENING STORY.
The Adjutant's Madness.

Ine outbreak of the Anchester regi-
ment was not d very serious affair;
from what can gather. it most took
the form of breaking out of barracks
after lights out
But, explained Smithy, it got a bit too
thick, and one of the consequences was
that the guard was doubled. pickets
We're strengthened, and the ranks of the
regimental military police were, as a
temporary measure, considerably augu-
mented. I explain this for the benent
OF my military readers, who may Won
der how it was that both Smithy and
Nobby Clark happened to be together
on No. 1 post on the night of The Ad-
jutant's Madness.
I was tellin' the troops only the other
night" said Smithy, what would ap-
pen if they didn't give over actin the
billy goat.
Some Of you bloomin' recruits
SEE, think you're doin' somethin very
wonderful, climbin' over the wall an
goin' into town when you ought to be in
bed an asleep; but it's the likes of me,
an Nobby, and Apply Johnson, chaps
with twelve years service, who's got
to suffer. I'll bet you old Uncle Bill
will start doublin' the guard to-morrer'
Don't be down arted. Nobby sez'
take a brighter view of life, Smitny.'
Sure enough, next day it came out in
orders that the guard was to be doubled,
an me an Nobby was for it.
When me mounted guard, the Adju-
tant, old Umferville, came over an in
spected US.
who's first relief on Number One
post2' e SEE.
Clark an Smith. sir, SEE the ser
gaant.
g I don't want you chaps to make too
much noise wallxin' about, or shoutin','
SEE the adjutant. an I'm bloWed If is
face wasn't as red as a piller-box.
" What's the matter with Uncle BiH?'
SEE Nobby. as he was marchin' off.
81 believe 'e's frightened about
somethin',' I SEE puzzled.
Number One post is between the
back of the adjutants 'ouse and the
wall where the chaps nip over. It used
to be the coloneIs 'ouse; but when I'm
Gle Bill got married couple of years
ago, the colonel generously landed it
over, an took an 'ouse in town that
wasn't so damp.
1T was the most eXcitin' guard me
an Nobby ever did, an it was all
through Uncle Bill. You never saw
such COINS on in your life. E lodged
in an out Of is 'ouse all day long. 'E'd
start to walk across the square. then
stop, as if ed forgot something, then
walk back to the 'Ouse. then walk out
again, then stop an bite is nails an
stare most CHASTITY at nothin'.
Once as e was passin' me an Nobby
shOuldered arms to i'm. an e stopped
dead an looked at US. E didn't move,
but stood stock still for about five min
utes starin' at me an Nobby. say1n'
nothin', an me and Nobby felt quite
uncomfortable.
e Everything all right. sentry?' 'e
sez, at last.
Ives, sir SEE me an Nobby
6 Sentry e SEE, then stopped.
8" Which one, STRIP SEE Nobby, an the
officer stared
Are there two of you?' e SEE.
g Yes, sir SEE me an Nobby, an e
got very red an muttered somethin'
an walked off.
I'VE was talkin' about it in the guard
room last night when we was drinkiu'
our guard auowance-one pint man,
accordin' to regulations. All the other
chaps 'ad noticed Uncle Bills strange
ness. too.
It's drink SEE Nobby. shakin' is
cad. 'Wot a pity to see a pore young
chap go wrong, all for the sake of the
cursed Hquor-after you with that pot,
Smithy.
SEE; don't come in an pail
Did ~ sez Nobby. I must ave
been thinkin' of the adjutant.'
u think 'e's 'aunted.' SEE a chap
from "D''-a young chap.
'Auntedr SEE Nobby, scornful. Why,
there amt no ghosts after Christmas,
a Never mind about Christmas SEE
the young chap; its my belief 'e's
inert ) d SJAA4l VI OO4AANl-AAAA
follerin i'm about
DRY up SEE Nobby, shudderin',
for me an i'm was on the worst re-
lief. 10 to midnight, an to s.
when we mounted at last post
Nobby SEE to me:
Z" DO you think there's anYthin' in
that ghost idea, Smithy?"
g No. I SEE. STILL SEE, you never
know
q What's that?' SEE Nobby. pointin'
to a shadder movin' along the wall.
So I shouts:
"Alt!=who goes there?'
at turned out to be little Bobby
Burns tryin' to break out of barracks,
an me an Nobby captured i'm an
showed i'm in the clink.
Just before twelve me an Nobby
was standin' at ease. when we card a
with our arts in our mouths an there
was the adiutant in is overcoat an
I" What the dickens are you starin'
at . e SEE.
" Beg pardon, sir stammers Mob
by. I thought you was ghosti'
But the adjutant didn't seem to
ear what we said. E just walks up
an down mutterin to hisself. Bimeby
e SEE, Keep a sharp look out an
don't make too much noise-d'ye ear,
you Clark; dye ear, you Smith? 2 e
SEE, fercely.
81 Yes, sir sez me an, Nobby; an
then the adjutant went indoors.
" Drink, SEE Nobby( solemnly. Let
this be a warnin' to you. Smithy.'
"When we come on duty again at
four in the mornin the two chaps we
relieved looked scared out of their
lives.
II shall be bloomin' glad when it's
daylight SEE one of EN-; we've 'ad
an 'orrid time
sOuy SO p seq NO6bv
i" The adjutant's gone OFF is nap
per; mad, that's wot e is SEE the
chap. les bin walkin' up and down
taIkin' to is self an moanin' an
chuckin' is rams about
Nice thing, amt it?' SEE Nobby
after we was posted; If you ask me
why, ere the beggar comes again.
q What shall we do ? SEE.
.. wait till e gets violent. then bang