Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 December 1897 — His Own Trumpeter. [ARTICLE]

His Own Trumpeter.

A witty retort was made to the colonel of a regiment on one occasion by an old Quaker aunt to whom he was. complaining. He was an unpopular officer, filled with a sense of his own importance, and most overbearing in. his manner to his inferior officers, whodisliked him heartily in return, and in consequence shirked their duties whenever opportunity offered. “I have a most unsatisfactory set of men under me,” complained the young man, standing before the little old Quaker lady in a pompous attitude. “I am practically forced to do all the work which should be done by them a great part of the time. I am my own major, my own lieutenant, my own ensign, my own sergeant.” He stopped and frowned upon hislistener. “And thee is thy own trumpeter, also, William, I fear,” said the old lady* with a twinkle in her eye.