THE BANDSMAN’S BADGE.

Northland Age, Volume VIII, Issue 25, 9 February 1912, Page 2

THE BANDSMAN’S BADGE.

She was a dainty, sweet young thing, and she had come down to visit her brother at the barracks. Her relative being on duty, his chum, in the band, undertook to show her round. Of course, she asked a lot of questions. "Who is that ?” she inquired pointlug to a colour-sergeant. "Oh, he once shook bands with the King,” said her truthful cavalier ; "that's why he wears a crown on his arm.” Then they met a gymnastic instructor, wearing' a badge of crossed Indian clubs. "Who might he be ?” asked the lady.

"That’s the camp barber,” said her companion,; "‘can’t you see he’s wearing his scissors ?” Then a number of stars on the cuff of a veteran, each indicating four years’ service, aroused her curiosity.

"He’s the batalion astronomer,” explained the'escort, gravely; "most useful man—guides us home by the stars when we’ve lost ourselves on night manoeuvres.” } "How interesting !” said the maiden. Then, noticing , his bandsman's badge, the representation of an ancient stringed instrument, she exclaimed shyly : “I suppose that thing on your arm means that you’re the regimental lyre ?”