Reminiscences of St. Patrick’s Day.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 127, 24 March 1894, Page 2

Reminiscences of St. Patrick’s Day.

(By Jon* Winn*. Mokun)

Whilst limiting last Saturday on a few St.Patti *k’e Day*” g me by ong ago, mi •ii ud reverted to one. I looked up an 1 diary kept by ms in mv old in itarv Uys and looked it up accordingly. 1 itid by that old, tune faded a:T*ir— yellow vith age and much faded —that what is 1 »re stated occurred just fifty years iin »e, I think ao.n • of your readers may >j interested in it. To an old soldier it enll recall the tune when the 1 ash was in constant use, a punishment parade, an 1 its accompaniments being of frequent oc currence. although at the time 1 *peak of unlimited flogging was done away with 0.10 hundred and fifty lashes being the maximum. Well, on this pirlirular day I was a full private in a crack light in fanlry regiment just returned from India after over twenty years service in that country. There were tu toy old soldiers came home, but of the original ones who went out eight only caiue home. They carried one to feur medals, as their service entitled them to. On the first 17th of March on landing, we were quartered at Deal and W timer on tho Kentish coast. I no number of Irishmen was great, outnumbering those of other nationalities, out each and all were looking forward to the day, and meant to enjoy it thoroughly. Money was not very scarce, as most of the men had money coming to thorn from the voyage, and an allowance from the Last India Company, who then governed India. W’hen the day broke all hands were roused by the strain of the buglers, who paraded round playing “ Patrick’s Day” and “ Garrv Owen.” The canteen was soon full and a good many healths to

“ Auld Ireland” were drank. 1 may mention that everyone expected there would be no parade that morning, ah had been usual on the day, unless absolutely necessary. There was a great scarcity of shamrock, but a small sort of trefoil was a good subsume, and nearly everyone mounted a sprig, mostly in the biasorjniiicnt of the cap. Things got pretty hot by ten o’clock, when to everyone'consternation, orders were issued for an undress par ole at eleven. It was a com man.ling officer's parade, so all hand shook tliemselvei together to the best 01 their abi it v* with sundry objurgations igainst this departure. Amongst the officers commanding companies was 011 splendid officer Brevet major, an Irish man himself—a four medal man much iked by his men, but an inveterate stutterer eonid give his word of coin oand in tii- ranks all right, hot hat! In the company was a fine old private, Pat M-Mihon. also a four mod i man, an enthusiastic lover of his country —and its whisky. Of the latter Pat had quite his sh ire, but he was an old stager, mil cou d a'ways c irrv his own and pa: >1 another's, ho on parade he was as good a i another. Pat was in the front and th mjor was walking along inspecting it •Vilen lie gor to Pit he looked at him up ind down S»m • iittlo imp showed him tile shamrock. “ P.i pu pull that wee wee wee-weed out of your cap,” said he.

diid Pat: “No, M ijor; I shall not p.i-pu pull that wc wee wee weed out of ip.’ Everyone who hoard the answer was thunderstruck, knowing what a crime n ■ had committed. The Major wonp irple and repeated the order, with th same result. “Take him to the guard room,” was the order. As he was noi drunk, he was brought again before the Major after parade, who signed the crime, thus referring him to the colonel, anothei old fellow almost in his second childhood, who felt it his duty to refer this crime to court martial, which was according y summoned to sit in an hour's time. Ini mediately after the court, orders wensounded for another parade at 3 o'clock, with the ominous words " The medical officer will bo pleased to attend ” concluding, which meant punishment parade to flog poor McMahon. At 3 o’clock the parade assembled ; that glorious institu lion “ the triangle” fixed ready ; a clean towel spread on the grass, and on it about a dozen tempting-looking “ cats,” with a canteen of water by the side in case Pat should be silly enough to faint. Hollow square was formed round the machinery, the prisoner brought forward, and the proceedings of the court martial were read, sentencing him to corporal punish ment of 150 lashes to be administered in the usual manner. The prisouer stepped to the front. He had a long way from a resigned look. I thought he looked daggers. ‘ Strip, ’ says the bugle major, whilst his assistants were loosening the straps to tie the prisoner up. Off came Pat’s coat, his braces were tied round, and his shirt comes off to bare his back. The Major was very near him in his place. Before hiding his face as Ins shirt came over his head, he looked bard at the Major and said, in a tone of voice everyone heard, “ Major, how many Patrick s Days have passed since I carried you wounded out of action on my back ? I got more than one knock, but I got home with | you.” “ Pat, you scoundrel !” roared the Major, “ Wha-wha-what did you mock mo for *?” “ Who could help it,” said Pat, “ When he ealled old Ireland's emblem a wce-wee-wee-weed !” I could see tears rolling down the Major's face. Pat look another step and put up his hand to be strapped up. The old Colonel, who had fought with, and knew every old soldier, took a pace or two to the Major who lifted his sword in salute. Immediately the two regimental majors rode up saluting the Colonel in a peculiar manner. “ Yes, yes,” said the old fellow, blubbering something to the Adjutant, and roaring out, “ officers fall out,’ a command instantlp obeyed. “ Put vour coat on and go home to vour barracks, McMahon,” said the Major. “ More power to your Major,” says Pat. and retired. The cheering which took place as the men were dis missed was good to hear. The old Colfnel has been dead for many years. The Major was drowned a few years after in Belfast Lough whilst bathing. The verv regiment has altered its name. I was then the 31st Light Infantry, afterwards Prince Albert’s Light Infantay, now known j as the 2nd Somerset. Over 40 yearf must have passed since I left it, since which time, strange to say, I never came acroi one who had belonged to it.—l am Ac., March 19th, 1894.