TELLING THE TALE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2396, 11 January 1909, Page 6

TELLING THE TALE.

.THE SERGEANT’S STORY

“Tal'k about a life,” said the recruiting sergeant, “my word—splendid life! A soldier lias nothing to do but stand still and walk about all day. Dear me, a wonderful life; although at times I have to put up with -little annoyances. It’s remarkable what people will do for the sako of a bob and a, drink. The other day I ivas standing at a corner —I always stand' -at the corners,' you ‘catch, ’em both ivays then—when a fine young felloAV said to me, ‘Sergeant, will I do for a soldier?’ I said, ‘I think so.’ I Avalked round him, and I noticed that he Avalked round at tbe same time. But I took no notice of that. When I got him before the doctor he said, ‘Smirks, you do find them,’ and we disotwered he’d only one arm. I’d never noticed. You see„ he kept the- arm he hadn’t got behind him. “There’s no mistake being a soldier makes a man of vou. Why, when I enlisted I stood 6ft. 4in.; of course, I don’t look that height hoav, but travelling in India makes the difference. I’ve seen Avlieu avc had to walk sixteen miles a day up to the knees in water; the legs' get wet, and out comes the sun and dries ’em up, and they shrink. “Bless you, I’ve seen a lot of service. I once remember three- of us standing at a cannon—one on each side. The uvo outside men ivere shot doAvn; I Avas never touched. I Avas underneath the cannon.

“Medals! Bless you, I’ve had a breast coi'ered Avitli medals. I had to take ’em off, the AVeight was- making me knock-kneed. But now my fighting days are over.”