HE WANTED TO GO TO BED.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11397, 14 April 1899, Page 6

HE WANTED TO GO TO BED.

A returned volunteer from the SpanishAmerican unpleasantness tells a good story of a comrade, a wealthy German, who in a fine spirit of patriotism had enlisted as a private. He proved a good.one, but the"exacting duties of camp .life soon grew irksome. One night he was detailed to stand guard over an ammunition waggon. It was a chilly night, and rain was falling. To and fro he plodded in the mire until his patience was exhausted.

" Corporal of der guard " he roared. No attention was paid to him, and he called again. Then the corporal approached him. "Dake my gun," he said, "and vatch dees waggin a leedle vile. I vant to go mid speak mit der colonel."

The corporal demurred, but the German insisted, and finally the good-natured "noncom " took his place.

Up to the colonel's tent the German hastened. The colonel was there. The private saluted.

"Colonel," he abruptly inquired, :'vot'B dot vaggin of aromynition down by der end of der camp vorth?"

The colonel knew the German intimately. In fact, Louis, as everybody called him, was a general favourite, and highly regarded by all who knew the story of his personal sacrifice. " ' .''■.'■

"What's it worth?." repeated the smiling officer. ■

"Yes, vot's it worth? Is it vorth five hoondred dollars? "

" More than that, I guess,"' said the colonel. "Is it vorth a tousand dollars?" "Yes," said the colonel. "I should'sayits value is just about that amount."

"Den," said the German, "I'll gif you my cheque for yon tausand dollars, and you lev me go back to mem tent unr! go to bet."

— In the reign of Edward 111 all the brewers and bakers were women, and when men first began to engage in the occupations it was thought so strange that they were called " men brewers" and "men bakers."

— A club exists in Vienna, the members of which are pledged to marry a poor girl. If, by chance or design, a member marries a rich girl, he is fined £WO, which sum is bestowed on some respectable but impec"-" couple engaged to be married '" *~ .