The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1912-05-24

commissioned officers ball and been
sought for as 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 regi-
ment. 1t was decided that he should
pay another official visit to Mrs.
'O'Reilly and warn her Of the imprinted
rules and regulations again. 1t would
be sin and disgrace to have Kitty
marry outside the regiment 1t would
be going against precedent and estab-
fishing a dangerous principle. The
sergeant donned full uniform and made
his way to the laundry II was busy
day again with the laundress, but she
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"
ITS about Kitty" he replied. Shes
of marriageable 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.
81 would not"
well, there's Abel, Baxter Clinch,
Carter and Davis to start with. They've
all got wives"
otis SOL"
Then there's Davenport, Enright,
English, Franklin and Farmer. All OF
them get drunk when they can and
haven't cent laid by
"Pm agreeing with you"
81 could go on and mention all the
others, but which one would you pick
out for Kitty's husband?"
mot o blessed one OF the whole
lot"
And who of the corporals?"
81 can't say"
Then come down to the privates.'
"rhey are shamefaced lot to pick
husband from"
Does the regiment expect Kitty to
marry one of the officers?"
1T can't expect I'll"
"Then will Mr.. Sergeant Thomas j.
Brady tell me II Kitty O'Riley, the
handsomest girl for ten miles around
Srt oh nd nj hntnU
born In barracks and of her mother
being a laundress to this day. has
got to live and die an old maid to
obey the rules and regulations Of the
service2"
"I'll be hanged II she hasi"
Three months later there came
rumors that Kitty the Kid was en-
gagged to merchant In the town, and
the regiment bowed its head in sorrow.
At the end of six. report came to the
fort that she had been duly married.
The regiment went into mourning.
Sergt. Brady was seated In his Office
with humility In his face when Kitty's
mother was announced. On this oc-
casion she was paying him an official
visit.
you have heard tho news7" she
asked.
He bowed.
Gould Kitty have done anything
else under the circumstances"
He shook his head.
And will the regiment take any
action in the case?" asked the
caller.
"It has done that already, Mrs.
O'Riley. 1t was bound to do 1t. 1t has
held a meeting, and
Whereas, There was no one In the
Fourteenth regiment good enough to
/ become the husband OF Kitty the KID;
and
whereas, The aforesaid Kitty was
not to blame for that and did not
want to live as an old maid; there
fore
Resolved, That she was entitled
to bust the rules and regulations and
marry where she could and wanted to;
and
"'Resolved. That If there is the devil
to pay generally and the service goes
to the dogs, the said Kitty is not to
BIO held to blame-not by darn
sight,"