A MATCH FOR A SCOTSMAN.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 16, 26 February 1918, Page 2

A MATCH FOR A SCOTSMAN.

The taciturnity of the Scots is proverbial, and is maintained in the trenches. A lady who gives her experiences at a Y.M.C.A. hut somewhere in 1 France, says they frequently pointed to the articles they wanted to buy without vouchsafing a word. She always humoured them, and business was transacted in complete silence on either side. It is rather an achievement to outwit a Scot, says the “Globe,” but she is able to say that once at the tobacco stall she forced a dour-looking sergeant to speak. At the time matches were extremely scarce, and in order to make them go round it was the rule only to see one box to each man. Jock pushed two tickets toards the narrator and pointed to the matches ; and, she continues, “I gave him one box and returned the second ticket, which he thrust vehemently at me again, and again I returned it in silence. This was too for him, and he burst into

speech. ‘Twa matches.’ ‘Oh, you aren’t dumb, after all,’ and his stern face broke into a broad grin while I explained why his demand could not he sranted,”