Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 April 1895 — HE WAS A “BUFFER.” [ARTICLE]

HE WAS A “BUFFER.”

Sang Froid of a Typical English Sentry While on Duty. A certain popular general takes delight in talking to young soldiers especially when he is not recognized. One day a Lancashire recruit was posted as a sentry on the General’s quarters. One of the servants gave him something to eat A moment later, a short, elderly man, attired in a tweed suit and gaiters, with his billycock over his eyes, came up. “What dost ta want heer?” said the sentry, “Oh. I belong here,” said the stranger. “And what are you doing, eating, sentry?” “Naw, I’m not. If tha had been two minutes later, I wud have been fair on to job tha knaws.” “What have you got—bread and ham?” “Naw, guess agin.” “Bread and beef?” “Nay, it’s not; guess agin,” said the sentry. “Well, then, it’s bread am) mutton.” “Eh, tha’s reet. Wull tha ha a bit?” “Thanks, no,” said the stranger. “But as you don’t appear to know me, try and guess who I am.” “Eh, tha’s a’ reet. Tha’s general’s groom.” “You’re wrong; try again.” “Well, tha moight be the general’s butler.” “No, but you are getting nearer.” “Eh! thow moight be th’owd buffer hisself.” “Right,” said the stranger. “I am the old buffer himself.” . “Eh!” gasped the sentry, shaking violently, and holding out the food. “Howd this while I gie thee a chuck up (‘present arms’).” The genral turned away to hide a .smile he could not suppress at the sentry’s confusion. A few days later, at his inspection, the general said he had met men at different times and places who failed to recognize him, and hoped it would not occur in future. Our Lancashire lad, who expected to get severely punished, was heard to say: “He’s not very big. but he is every inch a soger, tha knows.”