Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-07-21

~ My relative came TO Cnatnam
| to enlist In a cavalry regiment II a
cavalry regiment would have him; If
not. to take King Georges shilling
from any corporal or sergeant who
would put u bunch Of ribbons In his
hat. His object was to get shot. but
he thought he might as we'll ride to his
death as be at the trouble of walking.
My relatives Christian name was
Richard. but he was better known
rs Dick. He dropped his own surname
ON the road down and took up that Of
DOubledick. He was passed Is Rich
ard Doubledick, age twenty-five height
FIVE foot ten. native place Exmouth.
which he had never been near In his
life. There was no cavalry in Chat
ham when he limped over the bridge
here with half shoe to his dusty feet.
30 he enlisted into a regiment Of the
line and was glad to get drunk and
forget all about 1t.
You are to know that this relative Of
mine had gone wrong and run wild
His heart was In the right place, but it
was sealed up. He had been betroth-
ed to a good and beautiful girl whom
he had loved better than sheer per-
haps even he-believed. but in an evil
hour he had given her cause to say to
him solemnly: Richard. will never
marry another man. will live single
for your sake. but Mary Marshalls
lips"-her name was Mary MARSHALL
never address another word to you
on earth! Go, Richard! Heaven for
give your This finished him. This
brought him down to Chatham. This
made him Private Richard Double
dick. with determination to be shot.
There was not more dissipated and
reckless soldier In Chatham barracks
In the year 1799 than Private Richard
Doubledick. He associated with the
dregs Of every regiment, he was as sell
dom sober US he could be and was con.
stantly under punishment It became
clear to the whole barracks that Pri-
vate Richard Doubledick would very
soon be fogged.
Now the captain Of Richard Double
dicks company was young gentle
man not above FIVE years his senior.
whose eyes had an expression in them
which affected Private Richard Dou-
bledick In very remarkable way.
They were bright, handsome. dark eyes
what are called laughing eyes gener-
ally, and. when serious. rather steady
than severe-but they were the only
ones now left in his narrowed world
that Private Richard Doubledick could
not stand. Unabashed by evil report
and punishment, defiant Of everything
else and everybody else. he had but to
know that those eyes looked at him for
a moment. and he felt ashamed. He
could not SO much as salute Captain
Taunton In the street like any other
officer. He was reproached and con.
fused. troubled by the mere possibility
Of the captains looking ut him. In his
worst moments he would rather turn
back and 60 any distance out Of the
way than encounter those two hand
some. dark. bright eyes.
One day. when Private Richard Dou-
bledick came out Of the Black Hole.
where he had been passing the last
eight and forty hours and In which re-
treat he spent good deal Of his time.
he was ordered to betake himself to
Captain Taunton's quarters. In the
stale and sQualid state Of man just
out Of the Black Hole. he had less
fancy than ever for being seen by the
captain. but he was not so mad yet as
to disobey orders. and consequently
went up to the terrace overlooking the
parade ground, where the officers quar-.
tiers were. twisting and breaking In his
hands as he went along bit Of the
straw that had formed the decorative
furniture Of the Black Hole.
Come inr' cried the captain when
he knocked with his knuckles at the
door. Private Richard Doubledick pull
ed Off his cap. took step forward
and felt very conscious that he stood In
the light Of the dark. bright eyes.
There was slight pause. Private
Richard DOubledlck had put the straw
in his mouth aud was gradually dou-
bling 1t up into his windpipe and chOk-
ing himself.
"Doubledick." said the captain. do
you know where you are going TOT"
ITO the devil. SIR" faltered Double
dick.
EYES," returned the captain. "And
very fast"
Private Richard Doubledick turned
the straw Of the Black Hole In bis
mouth and made q miserable salute Of
acquiescence.
"Doubledick." said the captain. "since
entered his majesty's service. a boy
Of seventeen. have been pained to
see many men Of promise going that
road, but | have never been 80 pained
to see q lAan determined to make the
shameful journey as have been. ever.
since you Joined the regiment. to see
you"
Private Richard Doubledick began to
find a Aim stealing over the floor at
which he looked, also to flnd the legs
Of the captains breakfast table turn
ing crooked. as II he saw them through
water.
II am only a common soldier. sir"
said he. 1T signifies very little what
such a poor brute comes to-"
"You are a man." returned the cap
tain. with grave indignation. "of educa-
ton and superior advantages. and II
you say that, meaning what you say.
you have sunk lower than had be-
lieved. How low that must be leave
you to consider. knowing what ! know
Of your disgrace and seeing what l
see"
"l hope to get shot soon, SIR" SAID
Private Richard Doubledick. "and then