The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-07-23
By CHARLES DICKENS

entered his majesty's service, a boy
of seventeen. ! have been panied to
see many men Of promise going that
road, but have never been so panied
to see a man determined to make the
shameful journey as have been, ever
since you joined the regiment, to see
you"
Private Richard Doubledick began to
find film stealing over the floor at
which he looked, also to find the legs
Of the captains breakfast table turn
ing crooked. rs if he saw them through
water.
Il am onl: common soldier, sir"
said he. 1T signifies very little what
such poor Hrlte comes to-"
You are man." returned the cap
tain. with gr We indignation, "of educa-
ton and su, rrior advantages, and il
you say tina meaning what you say.
you have ST * lower than l had be-
lieved. How low that must he leave
you to cOnsit ~. knowing what l know
Of your dist<r,ce and seeing what
see.''
II hope to get shot soon. sir" said
Private Rich ,'d DOubledick. land then
the regimen and the world together
will be rid o. me-
The legs OF the table were becoming
very crooked Doubledick. looking up
to steady his vision, met the eyes that
had so strong an influence over him.
He put his hand before his own eyes.
and the breast of his disgrace jacket
swelled as if it would fly asunder.
II would rather" said the young cap
tain. "see this in you, Doubledick. than
would see 5000 guineas counted out
upon this table for gift to my good
mother. Have you mother?''
II am thankful to say she is dead.
sir.''
III your praises" returned the cap
tain, "were sounded from mouth to
mouth through the whole regiment.
through the whole army, through the
whole country, you would wish she
had lived to say, with pride and Joy.
He is my SON."
"Spare me. sir" said Doubledick.
''She would never have heard any good
of me. She would never have had
any pride and Joy in owning herself
my mother. Love and compassion she
might have had, and would have al
ways had, know, but not-spare me,
sir! am broken wretch. quite at
your mercy!' And he turned his face
to the wall and stretched out his i'm
ploring hand:
my friend began the captain.
God bless you. sir"' sobbed Private
Richard Doubledick.
"You are at the crisis Of your fate
Hold your course unchanged little
longer and you know what must hap
pen. know even better than you can
imagine, that, after that has happened.
you are lost. No man who could shed
those tears could bear those marks"
II fully believe it. SIR in low.
shivering voice said Private Richard
Doubledick.
But man in any station can do
his duty" said the young captain, land
in doing it can earn his own respect.
even If his case should be SO very I'M
fortunate and so very rare that he can
earn no other mans. A common SOL
der. poor brute though you called him
just now, has this advantage in the
stormy times we live in. that be al
ways does his duty before host of
sympathizing witnesses. Do you doubt
that he may so do it as to be extolled
through whole regiment. through a
! whole army, through whole country!
Turn while you may yet retrieve the
past and try
II will. l ask for only one witness.
sir" cried Richard, with bursting
heart.
Il understand you. l will be n
watchful and faithful one"
have heard from Private Richard
Douhledick's own lips that he dropped
down upon his knee, kissed that Off
GERS hand. a.ose and went out Of the
light of the dark, bright eyes an al
tered man.
In that year, 1899. the French were
in Egypt, In Italy, in Germany-where
not? Napoleon Rcnaparte had like
wise begun to stir against us in India.
and most men could read the signs of
! the great troubles that were coming
on. In the very next year. when we
formed an alliance with Austria
against him. Captain Taunton's regi-
nent was on service in India. And
there was not finer noncommissioned
officer in it--no. nor in the whole line
than Corporal Richard Doubledick.
In 1901 the Indian army were on the
coast Of EUpt Next year was the
YER q tie presentation of the short
lpeace anA they wets RECALLED 4 had
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