FROM SOUTH

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 169, 18 July 1903, Page 5 (Supplement)

FROM SOUTH

Some time ago there was published an order of Lord Kitchener's forbidding columns on the march to carry pianos ..and" harmoniums. A curious and true story (says the " Globe ") has just come from the front, showing the necessity of the order. Two columns happened to meet- one another on the veldt.

Said the commander of one to the commander • of/the other. "Tell me do you happen to want a piano ? " " No," replied the other, "I can't say we do. We have seven, it's more than we know what to do

with."

Apropos, a Yeoman tells a story in a contemporary, of a professional visit paid to an empty Boer farm. In the sitting-room, the party came across a piano to which a pathetic note was attached, entreating them not to smash it as it was a present ■g&rjaequently a souvenir which was much valued:—'- -._ The hard-hearted" """"Yftoman, of course, promptly proceeded " tC search it,- and found it crammed with gunpowder and caps. Perhaps the piano would have been better described as a percussion instrument

A good siege story from Ladysmith is quoted by the " Isis." An officer who was organising a concert to keep up his men's cheerfulness hoard of a sergeant in the Gordons who was said to be a performer. He found the said sergeant, and asked him to contribute his services. The sergeant was very sorry,, but said he "couldn't." "Why," said the officer ; "you do play something, do you not?" "I did, sir." "Well, what's your instrument" "The bones, sir—but I've ate them !