YE BOLD VOLUNTEER.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 29, 16 July 1892, Page 726

YE BOLD VOLUNTEER.

And in these days it shall come to pass that the young man who is a clerk in a bank or insurance office, and who taketh for his wages each week shekels of gold and silver to the amount of ten simoleons, including them that are punched, becometh discontented with bis lot. For he taketh counsel with himself, and saith privily unto his soul: • Lo now, wherefore go I clothed on with checks and with stripes and with pants-to order-in-four-honrs, the while my comrades are like the rainbow, yea, as a stereopticon are they !* And he goetb out into the streets, and he watcheth the young men of the City Guards and Permanent Artillery, even them that are wont to march in procession in raiment of red, and in raiment of white, and in raiment of gray, with brass and silver and nickel thereupon, yea, verily, even in the similitude of soldiers and of men of war. And h>s heart is filled with envy, and his breast with longing ; for he is seized of a strong desire to array himself like unto these. And he saiih once again unto himself : • Lo now, what is life if so that I may not wear upon my breast a badge of blue and gold with a number thereon !’ And he goetb about, and he taketh counsel of his friends, and maketh application to join a company of the O. Battery, and them of the tribe of the Bang-ups. And when he hath heard the price of the luxury, he is much astounded and wondereth greatly. For there be dues of gold and silver imposed upon them, even according to the gorgeousness of their raiment. And if upon a holiday the young man who playeth soldier goetb not forth with the other young men who likewise play soldiers, then is be mulcted in simoleons of gold and silver. But by and by the young man taketh comfort unto himself and he saith: • Verily, now will I arm me with the philosophy of the Dontcareadimeites. And I will let the does of gold and of silver take care of themselves ; yea, they may pay themselves, an they be so minded.* And be joineth the regiment; and for a month hedrilleth like onto the busy bee and paradeth the streets. But at the end of that time be is seen no more in the drill shed ; neither in any part of the armoury. Neither payeth be his dues ; saving only to his washerwoman. And at the end of another month there cometh unto him a centurion of the guard and demandeth payment. And the young man telleth him to go about for a sardine. And in due time cometh the R. M., who goetb not about for a sardine at any man’s bidding. And verily I say unto yon, the end of that young man shall be vanity and vexation of spirit, and likewise Mt. Eden Gaol. Selah.