SHORT WAR STORIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16300, 5 August 1916, Page 5 (Supplement)

SHORT WAR STORIES.

IT FIRED THE CHARGE. he.v the British were storming Badajoz the Duke of Wellington rode up, and, observing an artilleryman particularly active, inquired the man's name. He answered, "Taylor."

"A very good name, too," said the Duke. " Cheer up, my men, our Taylor will soon make a pair of breeches in "the walls !"

At this sally the men forgot theijr danger, a burst of laughter broke from theni, and the next charge carried the fortress.

NOT ACCORDING TO REGULATIONS. A subaltern, more noted for the value of his work than for his fondness for doing it strictly according to King's Regulations, was doing forward observation officer in a front line trench, or thereabouts, when a general officer, " complete with staff as fitted," happened along and stopped to watch him at work. The next shot from the battery fell short, and the F-0.0., intent on his job and not noticing the brass hat, shouted down the 'phone: "Cock her "up a bit. Bill!" The general, though seriously perturbed, managed to restrain himself sufficiently to ask the somewhat abashed sub. whether it was the custom in his brigade of artillery for an F. 0.0. to tell a battery commander to " Cock her up" when it was desired that a little extra elevation should be given to a gun. <tf SPOOFING THE SISTER. , Private Johnson was convalescent, so the "Sister" thought a little corrective sarcasm wouldn't hurt him. She said : Esprit de corps is very nice and proper, but you cany it too far. According to you, your regiment surpasses every other. Do be more reasonable. We have some of the ' Blankshires' in now, and what do you think One of them, who has been fighting at the front, has a glass eye. " There is a fellow in ours," said Johnson, reflectively, "has two." "Now, what did I say? You're incor- ] rigible," said she huffily, as she walked j away. j

"Wait a minute. Sister," said the private, grinning. " I'll behave. In fact, I was just going to tell you that they were both left eyes, and he always wore one in his pocket."