WOUNDED IN BATTLE AND ELSEWHERE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8351, 24 June 1905, Page 3

WOUNDED IN BATTLE AND ELSEWHERE.

A much-scarred veteran occupied 1 I geat in a tramcar, and opposite" to him sat a•• benevolent-looking' •• old gentleman who gazed with seeming interest on tho rugged face, and at length! said: — . - "I think, my friend, you are th« possessor of some exciting experiences." . "I should just think so, sir, r«plied the warrior. "This gash across my brow, this seam dbwn my cheek, and this cloven chin each <Sost xnor* than one life in a hand-to-hand fight." "Dear me," said the ojd gentleman; " I can quite believe it. And how did you come by that deep inden- , tion on your nose?" The warrior hung his head ana seemed unwilling to reply. "Come, now, Joseph,"- said his better half, who was, seated beside him, "tell the gentleman how you got that one." "You keep quiet, Maria," snarled the" warrior. ■" I won't," snapped Maria ; "it fairly riles me to hear you bragging of the marks you got from the nasty, dirty Arabs, while you ignore toe most noticeable of 'em all — the one I gay« you when I hit you with the fireshovel." The warrior looked very uncomfortable, and the old gentleman looked a* if he deeply sympathised with him.