THE VICTORIA CROSS.

Evening Star, Issue 11663, 23 January 1902, Page 7

THE VICTORIA CROSS.

Some little time ago we wevo going from Whitehall to St. James's Park (says a writer in an English paper), and pas.«ed through the gateway betweeen two mounted Horse Guards. Just in front of us was a rather short and elderly man, very plainly dressed and we were surprised to notice one of the fine-looking Guards, who was pacing backwards and forwards on foot, salute this unpretentious-looking individual. He happened to bo going the same way we were, and preceded us across the wide square leading to the park. As he ueared the other side of the square he met an officer (wo cannot give his rank) with about six soldiers under his charge, and we wove greatly interested when this officer called upon his little band to salute this—to us — mysterious stranger. Our curiosity was bow fairly roused, and we went slightly out of our way in the direction he was taking. We asked a policeman who he was, but he could not tell us, and we were equally unfortunate in one ox two. other inquiries. We kept a short distance behind the gentleman, and soon he met a single soldier, and this man saluted in the approved fashion, as the others had done. In each case the salute was returned as the stranger passed on. Now, we^ thought, was a chance for us, so we retraced our steps and overtook the soldier, and tusked him who the gentleman was he had saluted? "I don't know who he is," answered the soldier, "but he wears the Victoria Cross." We never knew the honor of that distinction before. He was a man iu plain clothes, with a much-coveted decoration on his breast, who enjoyed the proud distinction of being saluted by every soldier he met; officers, who know nothing of the man, and who had never seen him before, paid the highest military mark of respect to the simple Maltese cross he wore. We knew then why it is that of ail the prizes men ia the arm? and navj cavefc thexe is iwoa

more eagerly nought, or more dearly loved, than the simple cross in gun metal, bearing the grand inscription, "For Valor." Wo can understand now how it id that our brave soldiers and kilors have gone into the deadly breach, and through literally showers of bullets have fought for the Jove of country and honor, upheld through all their dangers by the hope- that some day that simple Maltese cross, devised by the late Queen, would be conferred upon them by His Majesty's own hand. The man is justified in feeling proud who has this unique testimony to his dauntless courage resting on his breast, and who enjoys the distinction of having the decoration recognised by every man wearing the King's uniform—-whatever bis rank—who sees it. During ouo of the hottest of the spells of hot weather (says 'Truth') a baronet came across three workmen engaged on a job on his estate. One of them remarked on the dryness of the job. The heat had perhaps extended itself to the baronet's temper; at any rate, he turned away with the reply. "If you are thirsty, you know where too well is. You will find a pail there." Ab ho thought over his remark a little later it flashed across his mind that he had given orders for three bottles of champagne to be put into the pail and lowered into the well to cool for dinnor. He hastened to the we'd and discovered—-three empty bottles. What he said this time is not reported. His Name.—A little boy who was asked his name answered: "Well, they call meJimmie for short, but my maiden name is James."