The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1914-09-09

there, close TO MIN. ever at MS size,
firm as rock, true as the sun and
brave as Mars. would be certain to be
found while life beats in their hearts
that famous soldier. Sergeant Richard
Doubledick.
Eighteen hundred aud five, besides
being the great year Of Trafalgar. was
a year of hard lighting in India. That
year saw such wonders done by a SER
geant major who cut his way single
handed through solid mass of men,
recovered the colors Of his regiment,
which had been seized from the hand
of a poor boy shot through the heart.
and rescued his wounded captain, who
was down and in II very jungle of
horses hoofs and sabers-saw such
wonders done. | say, by this brave ser.
geant major that he was specially
made the bearer of the colors he had
won. and Ensign Richard Doubledick
had risen from the ranks.
Sorely cut up in every battle, but al
ways REINFORCED by the bravest of men
for the fame of following the old col
ors. shot through and through. which
Ensign Richard Doubledick had saved,
inspired all breasts-this regiment
fought its way through the peninsular
war up to the investment of Badajos
in 1912. Again and again it had been
cheered through the British ranks until
the tears had sprung into mems eyes
at the mere hearing of the mighty
British voice so exultant i'm their valOr,
and there was not a drummer boy but
knew the legend that wherever the
two friends, Major Taunton. with the
dark, bright eyes. and Ensign Richard
Doubledick. who was devoted to him.
were seen to go. there the boldest
spirits in the English army became
wild to follow.
One day at Badajos-not in the great
storming. but in repeling hot sally
of the besieged upon our men at work
in the trenches. who had given way
the two officers found themselves run
ming forward. face to face, against a
party of French infantry, who made
a stand. There was an officer at their
head encou. aging his mrn--a coura-
geous, handsome. gallant officer of FIVE
9nd thirty. whom Doubledick saw hur-
riedly, almost mOmentarily. but saw
well. He particularly noticed this off
Ger waving his sword and rallying his
men with an eager and excited cry
when they fred in obedience to ges
ture and Major Taunton dropped.
1t was over in ten minutes more and
Doubledick returned to the spot where
he had laid the best friend man ever
had on a coat spread upon the wet
clay. Major Taunton's uniform was
opened at the breast and OH his shirt
were three little spots of blood.
Dear Doubledick." said he. II am
dying"
"For the love of heaven. nor ex-
claimed the other, kneeling down be-
side him and passing his arm round
his neck to raise his head Taunton.
My preserver. my guardian angel. my
witness! Dearest. truest. kindest of
human beings! Taunton! For Gods
Saker'
The bright. dark eyes-so very. very
dark now in the pale face-smlled
upon him. and the hand he had kissed
years ago laid itself fondly on
his breast
Write to my mother You will see
home again. Tell her how we became
friends. 1t will comfort her. as it com
forts me-"
He spoke no more, but family signed
for moment towards his hair as il
futtered in the wind. The ensign IN
derstOOd him. He smiled again when
he saw that and. gently turning his
face over on the supporting arm as If
for rest. died. with his hand upon the
breast in which he had revived a soul
No dry eye looked on Ensign Richard
DOubledick that melancholy day. He
buried his friend on the field and be-
came lone, bereaved man Beyond
his duty he appeared TO have but two
cares in life-one. to pre-
serve the little packet of hair he was
to give Taunton's mother; the other, to
that French officer who had
ton fell. A new legend now began to
circulate among our troops. and it was
that when he and the French officer
came face to face once more there.
would be weeping in France.
The war went on. and, through it
went the exact picture of the French
officer on the one side and tue bodily
'eality upon the other. until the battle
)f Toulouse WAS fought In the re-
-urns sent home appeared these words:
Severely wounded. hui NOT dangerous.
y, Lieutenant Richard Duublrdick."
At midsummer time in the wear 1914 |
Lieutenant Richard DOublcdick. now n
soldier seven and thirty years
If age. came home Ia England inya.
ided He brought the hair with him.
lear his heart Many II French officer
lad he seen since that day: many a
ireadful night. in searching with men |
Ind lanterns for his wounded. had he |
French officers lying disabled. |
'ut the mental picture and the reality |
md never come together
Though he was weak and suffered |
Iain. he lost not nm hour in getting |