SUCCESSIVE CONSTANCY

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 6, 6 February 1908, Page 37

SUCCESSIVE CONSTANCY

General Sir Alfred Horsford, once in authority at Aldershot, believed in an army of unmarried men, and invariably turned a deaf ear to privates who were in love and who wished to take wives. When. Horsford was in command of- a battalion ,of the rifle brigade, says Sir Evelyn Wood in his recent entertaining volume, ' From Midshipman to Field Marstial,'' a soldier came up to him for permission to marry. 1 No, certainly not,' was the curt reply. 'Why does a young man like you want a wife ? ' 1 Oh, please, sir,' said the soldier, ' I ha/ye two rings (' good conduct ' badges) and five pounds in the savings bank; so I am eligible, and I want to marry very much.' • ' • 'Well, go away, and if you come back this day year* in the same mind, you shall marry.. I'll keep the vacancy.'

On the anniversary the soldier repeated his request. 1 But do you really, after a year, want to marry?' 4 Yes,., sir ;. very much.' . - - , „,. - In spite of himself, Hoisford was visibly "impressed. , "Serjeant-major,' he said 1 , 'take his name down. Yes, you may marry. . I .never believed there was so " mu6h constancy 'in man and" 1 woman. Right - face. ' Quick march.' At the door the man turned. 1 Thank you, sir,' he said gratefully. clt isn't the same woman.' '