Slightly Mistaken.

Otago Witness, Issue 2051, 15 June 1893, Page 50

Slightly Mistaken.

An odd story comes from the north. A regiment quartered in Scotland had among them an expert gymnast, who taueht his brother subalterns how to walk across the barrack-room on their hands. While thus eDgaged the other evening, the door opened, and the colonel, a stern disciplinarian, entered the room, looked attentively at the inverted company, shook his head gravely, and departed without uttering a word. Extra parade duty next morning was the least punishment expected for this breach of discipline. Some days passed, however, and no notice being taken, it was thought an apology and explanation should be offered by the prime instigator of these unsoldierlike movements. A reference being made to the memorable night, the colonel amazed the intending apologist by exclaiming : "Hush, my dear fellow, I would not have anybody know it for the world. The fact is, I had been dining out with an old brother officer, who had served with me in India, and, 'pon my life, I had no idea the wine could have had such an effect upon me ; but, when I looked in to see if you were all right in your quarters, I could have sworn that I saw you all upside down ! "