Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1883 — How Old Franz Lost His Gun. [ARTICLE]

How Old Franz Lost His Gun.

Col. Frizell, coming down from Hawk’s Nest one night after midnight, to consult with Gen. Cox, then in commadd at Gauley Bridge, found the sentinel on duty in front of headquarters asleep. The guard was a grim-looking German. He was leaning against the fence post, standing on the steps by which the fence was crossed, and was fast asleep. Tbe Colonel, coming from the front, was much provoked by this unsoldierly conduct, and proceeded to take the gun from the mad. This he accomplished, the sentinel waking with a start as the gun was fairly in the Colonel’s hands. After rubbing his eyes he looked at the Colonel with stupid astonishment and then commenced a tirade of abuse, accompanying his language with such gesticulations as vastly amused the officer. Watching his opportunity the frantic sentinel snatched the gun from the Colonel’s hands, and bringing it to full cock and letting it drop to a charge, yelled, “Sergeant mit the guard,” “Corporal mit the guard,” in such tones as rouse'd headquarters and brought the officers of the guard to the post. As soon as the sergeant reported, the German proceeded to state how the man before him had rode up on horseback, refused to give the countersign, and had tried to take his gun away from him. -That he believed he was “one dam rascal,” etc. The Colonel had been taken by surprise, and the assurance of the man. dumfounded him. He* soon said, however, “I found this man asleep on his post and took his guqfrom him.” He was interrupted by the German, “You take my gun ven I was aschleep; ugh. How I git my gun now, say? How I git my gun now ? I was bin a soldier twenty long years ago, and no man ever take my gun. You was been dreamin’ now. How I git my gun, say ?” The, Colonel eontemplated the frantic actions of the man for a time, and said finally: “Oh, hang it! keep your gun,” and passed into headquarters.—-Chi-cago Inter Ocean.