MOTHER TOOK HIM HOME.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11215, 22 October 1914, Page 1

MOTHER TOOK HIM HOME.

.' Montreal,' August. 22. A largo woman, with a multitude, of ch'iu,% strode pa&fc the sentry' 5 who stood on guard at the entrance to one of the local armouries. The sentry stuttered arid protested, but he. was new to guard duty and what to do when in the cas«* of a. lady, a determined lady with ample lines, ho was not, certain. It was doubtful if he could have stopped her, anyway. Eight into the lonely centre of the immense floor she. walked and then stood and looked around. Evidently fihe- was {searching for someone. Her eyes fell on a young man who stood talkI ing to on of tho recruiting sergeants. "Toiumie! Tomniie ! You conio out of this placo at onco." The youth turned in a startled way and then backed tip. The woman advanced and took him by the ear, calmly, with ho undue show of emotion. She had a firm hahd, and, though; loth, Tommio was forced to go. Then the sergeant stepped in. - " Madam, s ' said he, "this young man has'enlisted and now he c&uawl do us he wishes or as you w\:;k Ha has to obey orders from his ofheera." ".Unlisted!" said the woman. "Sinew when have you bad to take children? Fifteen years old the boy is and no more, aud— -" turning fco him who was evidently her offspring, " won't you catch it when I get you koxua! Wanting to fight the Germans 1'? T.b* scorn in these last words, tho biting sarcasm, cannot.-bo expressed. ■'-'+ ■ " Yotrd better come up andfbe the pfflcer coEunandmg," said tie sergeant. These- the boy's papers, vers looked up. He bad sworn that he was niner' teen'years of age, was five sewn mokes in height, and weighed 142 pounds•..:■'* I can't believe that this hpr is duly fifteen,' < said the: major, "Tl'o gives his age as nineteen. You'd better bring down the family Bible." And, sure enough, half an hour Jat<*r the woman was back, bugging a hug*' Bible, built on tho same proportions 'a.* i herself. There was nn entry at ilvm back. The hoy was only fifteen. MotluM I took him homo mid hi-s ik»i»c ijfl ; struck off the lists.