A WILY VETERAN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue V, 30 July 1898, Page 134

A WILY VETERAN.

The ‘Regiment’ recalls an amusing incident which occurred after the battle of Leipsic. On that occasion the English Government despatched a rocket brigade to assist against the French, and Captain Bogue, a very deserving young officer, lost his life when in command of it. After the defeat of the French, Leipsic became full of a mixed medley of soldiers of all arms and of all nations; of course, a great variety of coin was in circulation there.

A British private, who was attached to the rocket brigade, and who had picked up a little broken French and German, went to the largest hotel in Leipsic, and, displaying an English shilling to the landlord, inquired if this piece of coin was current there? ‘Oh, yes,’ replied he, ‘you may have whatever the house affords for that

Photon. f»i/

K. W. Saunders.

money; it passes current here at present.’

Our fortunate soldier, finding himself in such compliant quarters, called about most lustily,and the most sumptuous dinner the house could afford, washed down by sundry bottles of the most expensive wines, was despatched without ceremony. On going away he tendered at the bar the single identical shilling which the landlord had inadvertently led him to expect was to perform such wonders. The stare, the shrug, and the exclamation elicited from mine host by such a tender may be more easily conceived than expressed. An explanation, much to the dissatisfaction of the landlord, took place, who quickly found, not only that nothing more was likely to be got, but also that the laugh would be tremendously heavy against him. This part of the profits he had a very Christianlike wish to divide with his neighbour. Taking, therefore, his guest to the street door of the hotel, he requested him to look over the way. ‘Do you see,’ said he, ‘the large hotel

opposite? That fellow, the landlord, is my sworn rival, and nothing can keep this story from his ears, in which case I shall never hear the end of it. Now, my good fellow, you are not only weloome to the entertainment, but I will instantly give you a five franc piece into the bargain, if you will promise, on the word of a soldier, to attempt the same trick with him to-mor-row that succeeded so well with me today.’

Our veteran took the money and accepted the conditions, but, having buttoned up the silver very securely in his pocket,he. took leave of the landlord with the following speech, and a bow that did no discredit to Leipsic: — ‘Sir, I deem myself in honour bound to use my utmost endeavour to put your wishes into execution. I shall certainly do all that I can, but I must candidly inform you that I fear I shall not succeed, since I played the very same trick on that gentleman yesterday; and it is to his pai-ticular advice alone that you are indebted for the honour of my company to-day.’