A VETERAN SOLDIER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1558, 18 September 1886, Page 3

A VETERAN SOLDIER.

The fint claim to be considered by the Old Soldiers Commission will be that of Thomas Moody, formerly Sergeant in the Imperial forces. This veteran, who is sixty years old, has had a career of exceptional interest. He enlisted in the Indian Army in 1848, and served for ten years. He was present at the battles of Moodkoe, Ferozeshur, Sobraon, Ramnuggur, Ghillianwallab, and Goojerat, and received the Sutlej and Punjaub medals. He then volunteered into the 13th Light Dragoons for the Crimean War, and took part rot only in the operations along the Danube, but in the battles of Alma, Inkerman, Tchernaya, and other engagements. He was in the “ Charge of the Six Hundred," and, though wounded, was fortunate enough to be present at the crowning episode of the w ar, the fall of Sebastopol, These services procured for him the Crimean medal with four clasps, the medal for distinguished conduct in the field, and also the French and Turkish war medals. On parade at Portsmouth Moody was congratulated by the Queen on wearing more honors than any other man on parade that day. He then volun? teered to the 3rd Dragoon Guards for India, and fought through the mutiny until discharged on a pension of a shilling a day, on account of his wounds, with another medal added tp his already numerous decorations. Notwithstanding bis arduous experience of active warfare, Moody enlisted in Sydney, whither he had emigrated, when a call was made for goldiera to serve against the Maoris in New Zealand, and was appointed to the 2nd Waikato Regiment, At the termination of the Waikato war he received a grant of land in that district, which he quitted to join the forces on the outbreak of the later Maori wars. He was present at a number of engagements ; n various parts of the North Island, and, in all, eetved twelve years m the colonial forces. The veteran trooper has now preferred a claim to [have his original grant (which, in some way, he seems to have lost) reftpjred tp {lim.

THE QUAKER AND HIS PRISONER. One of the “ boys ” n ow hanging out in Deuoii was nabbed in Pennsylvania a few mnn'lis Hgo for some swindling game, and was locked up in » country jail pending examination. He was the only prisoner in the building, and he hadn’t been in there fifteen minutes before he (cittbat an hour's work would let him out. It was a tumble-down affair, built half a century ago, and the turnkey was a young Quaker. As he received hia prisoner he said—“ I think I shall place thee on thv honor not to escape.” “ All right,” replied the prisoner, “I wont to stay right here and see this case through.” He had the run of a corridor and an open cell, and about two hours after supper be had no trouble in wrenching a couple of bars off the corridor window. W dtisg for the jail to get quiet he lifted he sash and climbed out on'the sill for a irop to the ground, but at that instant he lieard a voice from beneath him saying -‘ On second thoughts I concluded that thy honor might not be as good as ray vigilance. Get thee back or I will blow i.»y head off.” The prisoner not only “ g-1 back,” but the old crib held him s'fnly until he was taken into Court.