Evening star., 1928-05-10

tCharles Dickens. 1s12'1S70,, was q
c'"x.a Rnxa SSer &a. Se THo rIfM,.S e Twe
etc Tn' HSF ere and bs
sociates in the Picswck Club
The Plckwickians attended q MILL
tary review at Rochester. They took
their places In the front ranks of the
great crowd of interested onlookers
But before they were aware of It. the
Pickwickians were caught In the midst
OF the military maneuvers, with rather
astonishing results, to be described In
the following paragraphs.
We are in capital situation now"
said Mr.. Pickwick. looking round him.
The crowd had gradually dispersed
from their immediate vicinity. and they
were nearly alone.
Capital" echoed MIR. Snodgrass and
Mr.. Wrinkle.
What are they doing now2" inquired
MIR. Pickwick, adjusting his spectacles.
"I--I-rather think" said Mr.. VIM
kle. changing color--"I rather think,
they're going to fire"
Nonsense" said Mr.. Pickwick
hastily.
'I-I--really think they are" urged
Mr.. Snodgress, somewhat alarmed.
~
He had hardly uttered the word, how
ever, when the whole half-dozen regi-
ments leveled their muskets as II they
had but one common object. and that
object the PickwickianS, and burst
forth with the most awful and tremen-
dous discharge that ever shook the
earth to its center, or an elderly gentle
man off his.
It was in this trying situation, ex-
posed to a CALLING fire of blank car
tridges, and harassed by the opera
tions OF the military. fresh body Of
whom had begun to fall In on the op-
posite side, that Mr. Pickwick displayed
that perfect coolness and self-posses-
sion which are the indispensable ac-
compartments of q great mind
He seiZed Mr. Wrinkle by the arm
and placing himself between that gen.
tleman and Mr. Snodgrass. earnestly
besought them to remember that. be-
yond the possibility of being rendered
deaf by the noise, there was no imme-
diate danger to be apprehended from
the firing.
"But--but--suppose some of the men
should happen to have ball cartridges
by mistake" demonstrated Mr. Wrinkle,
pallid at the supposition he was HIM
self conjuring up Il heard something
whistle through the air now--so sharp
close to my ear"
I'VE had better throw ourselves on
our faces, hadn't we?" said Mr.. Snod-
grass.
mo. no--it's over now" said Mr..
Pickwick. His lip might quiver, and
his cheek might blanch. but no ex-
preston of fear or concern escaped the
lips of that immortal man.
Mr.. Pickwick was right: the firing
ceased. But he had scarcely time TO
congratulate himself on the accuracy of
his opinion. when quick movement
was visible In the linc-~~the hoarse shout
OF the word Of command ran along It,:
and before either Of the party could
form guess at the meaning of this
new maneuver the whole of the half
dozen regiments. with fixed bayonets.
charged at double-quick time down
upon the very spot on which Mr.. Pick
wick and his friends were stationed.
Man Is but mortal. and there Is a
point beyond which human courage
cannot extend. Mr.. Pickwick gaZed
through hts spectacles for an instant
on the advancing mass and then fairly
turned his back and--we will not say
fed. firstly, because 1t Is an ignoble
term, and. secondly, because Mr.. Pick
wick's figure was by no means adapted
for that mode of retreat--he trotted
away at as quick rate as his legs
would convey him--so quickly. indeed,
that he did not perceive the awkward
ness OF his situation, to the full extent.
until too late.
The opposite troops, whose falling
In had perplexed Mr.. pickwick a few
seconds before. were drawn up TO repel
the mimic attack OF the sham hesiegers
of the citadel. and the consequence was
that Mr.. Pickwick and his two COM
panions found themselves suddenly in
closed between two lines OF great
length--the one advancing at a rapid