A ROMANCE OF THE ARMY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2447, 17 March 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

A ROMANCE OF THE ARMY.

Anoil't 1 eighteen months ago a young man, calling himself Foster, enlisted in the Kind's Own Scottish Horderors at the depot at Berwick. The young soldier soon ingratiated himself into the favours of his comrades, as much on account of his frank and open manner as becausc of the money be spent so freely. He remained at the depot for about six' months, and was promoted to lancecorporal during that time. It was patent to all that Lance-Corporal Foster was in receipt of a liberal allowance, and had been born in a higher station of life than that which ho now occupied ; but further 110 one could lear •. IFe employed a, man, and paid him generously for performing some of his duties, though he, never shirked any oT those which properly belonged to the work of a soldier, lie was drafted alone with others 1o Aldcrshot, where he trot another stripe added, and became a corporal. The same conduct distinguished him here as at J'erwick, and he ag.iin beeam > a favourite. However, after iic bail risen to the dignity of a sergeant, he announced himself to be what he really was—the scion of a noble Irish family, lie lias since been granted six weeks' leave, and during tin? interval it is expected that ho will receive a commission as lieutenant. The conduct of the man is easily and ipiito satisfactorily explained. He i.s now about 2.5 years of age, and had at one time been a lieutenant in an Irish militia regiment. He, however, appears to have suff'T.d in health, for the bonelit. of which he travelled to the scmlh of France. Wlwu lis returned 11 England he was over t.ho limit of ago at which a commission for army service, cm be granted, but, determined not to be baulked, lie entered the army, as indicated, as a private soldier, lie. toh.l some of hi-; comrades at IJenvick that all lie wished for was t<> become a sergeant, and lie did not mind whether he bail a year or two to wait, for this. Foster is well spoken of by all who know him, and his pluck is not . a litl.lo admired. It now transpires that Sergeant Foster is a scion of the noble house of Massereene and Ferrard (Vis count), and that Foster is one of his names. The present Viscount is Clotworthy John Eyre Foster Skclriogton, born October 0, ISI2. The present Viscount is the eleventh in succession from the creation of the title in lliiiO. Sergeant Foster is connected will) the btilleriu family. He had a relation a captain on the staff of Lord Dull'crin, the Indian Viceroy.