Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1912-08-16

the KID Tor aWnlle. fOT WeehS anu
weeks It was debated IN every barrack
as to whether she would marry out or
he service when she married. and the
consensus of opinion was that 1t wouh
30 a smirch on the regiment II she did.
When the subject had been worn
:hreadbare It was dropped. and 1t was
Jour years later when 1t was revived.
Meanwhile the defiant Widow O'Riley
married teamster, but continued to
serve as laundress, while the Kid con-
tinued TO improve In looks and smart
ness unit lat 1e she was belle.
She had been sent to school In the
town, and she had passed some time
with relative In the east who was
fairly we'll OF, and the raik and file
of the Fourteenth had come to look
upon her as q goddess. One evening.
after the girl had attended the non.
commissioned officers ball and been
sought for as a partner and admired
and praised on all sides, the old fear
was revived. Caste forbids a commits
STONED officer marrying the daughter OF
an enlisted man, and the orderly ser
geants who held consultation were
agreed that Kitty was too handsome
and too much of lady to throw her
self away.
Sergt. Brady was still with the regt
ment. It was decided that he should
pay another official visit to Mrs.
OReilly and warn her of the imprinted
rules and regulations again. 1t would
be q sin and disgrace to have Kitty
marry outside the regiment. It would
be going against precedent and estab-
fishing dangerous principle. The
sergeant oonned full uniform and made
his way 10 the laundry. It was a busy
day again with the laundress, but che
wiped her red hands on her apron and
stuck out her elbows as before and
saluted her visitor with:
I'm listening to you. sergt. Brady"
"It's about Kitty" he replied. She's
OF a manageable age. She's hand
some and smart and lady. She's
away from US much of the time Of late
years, but she still belongs to the COM
pany and the regiment. Is she to
marry inside or outside Of it?"
would you have Kitty marry be-
meath the rank of sergeant" asked the
mother.
II would not"
well, there's Abel. Baxter. Clinch,
Carter and Davis to start with. They've
all got Wives"
"'Tis sol"
"Then there's Davenport. Enright,
English, Franklin and Farmer. All OF
them get drunk when they can and
haven't cent laid by"
'Tm agreeing with YOU"
Il could go on and mention all the
others, but which one would you pick
out for Kitty's husband?"
Mot blessed one Of the whole
lot"
"And who Of the oorporals?'
II can't say"
"Then come down to the privates.
"They are a shame-faced lot to pick
husband from"
docs the regiment expect Kitty tc
marry one Of the officers?"
ut can't expect It'll"
"Then will Mr.. Sergeant Thomas ]
Brady tell me If Kitty O'Riley, the
handsomest girl for ten miles around
this fort, and not ashamed Of being
born In barracks and Of her mother
being laundress to this day, has
got to live and die an old maid tt
obey the rules and regulations Of the
serytoe?"
"I'Fbe hanged II she hast"
Three months later there came
rumors that Kitty the Kid was en-
gagged to a merchant in the town, enc
the regiment bowed its head in sorrow
At the end Of six, report came to thu
fort that she had been duly married
The regiment went into mourning
Sergt. Brady was seated in his oflc&
with humility in his face when Kitty
mother was announced. On this oc
easion she was paying him an offlcia
visit.
You have heard the news2" sh'
asked.
He bowed
Gould Kitty have done anything
else under the circumstances"
He shook his head.
"And will the regiment take AM
action in the case?" asked thu
caller.
1T has done that already, Mrs
O'Ailey. It was bound to do 1t. 1t hal
held meeting, and
Whereas, There was no one In thu
Fourteenth regiment good enough II
become the husband OF Kitty the Kid
and
Whereas, The aforesaid Kitty wa
not 70 blame for that and did no
want to live as an old maid; there
fore
Resolved, That she was entities
to bust the rules and regulations ant
marry where she could and wanted to
and
Resolved, That If there ia the dew
10 pay generally and the service goe
70 the dogs, the said Kitty is not t