The Countryman Scored.

Otago Witness, Issue 2623, 22 June 1904, Page 77

The Countryman Scored.

Some time ago General Budde, the Minister of Railwa}'* in Germany, was travelling incognito to Hamburg. A countrymau entered his oompartmient, an-d at once proceeded to light an eno;inou-5 and rank cigar. The General remarked to him that the rules of the road prohibited anyone from smokingin a compartment without the consent of the other occupants. The smoker did not seem to understand, and continued to exhale fumes like a small volcano. Upon finishing his fii'tt cigar he immediately lit another. The General, by this time thoroughly vexed, exclaimed, "I am well acquainted with the rules of tho road, because I am the Minister of Railways!" At the same time ho handed hig caird to the smoker. The- latter condescended to cast a glanos at it, stuck it in his pocket — and went on smoking.

When the train stopped the countryman silently got out. The General by- this timewas overcome wUh ang&r. Calling- one of the station officials, he told him to go to the countryman and learn his name, as he intended to have him arrested. Asked his name, tlhe smoker or the big and rank cigars pulled from his pocket a card— that of General Budde— and handed it to his questioner, who, upon glancing at it, at onoo gave most respectfully the military s.aluto. Afterwards, returning to the General, hesaid: "I believe, my dear sir, that you would do well not to must about tha; man breaking the rules of the road. You couldn't arrest him, anyhow, seeing as it i,s the. Minister of Railways himself!" Tim General did not insist.