Jeunesse Doree Under Arms.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 218, 16 December 1880, Page 2

Jeunesse Doree Under Arms.

The plight of the jeuncsse done, forced by the conscription out of the ease and indulgence of civil life into the rough discipline of the camp, is a topic much illustrated. Two young men, in the singularly beggarly fatigue dress of the French fantassin, are at the corvee. The hand-barrow, which answers for them to the galley of the antique slave, is laden with spoil from the stable where they are plying pitchfork in small imitation of the labor of Hercules. Says one, “ Are you ready, my dear Baron ?” “As you please, my dear Viscount.” And with this mutual notice they bear off their burden. Says full private the Count Vielleroche to Corp. Le Tailleur, both being reservists called out for exercise, “ Now, Corporal, there’s a good child, and give us an easy time of it.” “ But, Private Vieilleroche, do you presume to suggest his duty to your superior officer ?” “ Oh, no, Corporal; only I shall pay you that old bill, and intend, the moment training is over, to order ten suits cash down.” “ O, mem , Monsieur le Count; in that case —”• It is, perhaps, the Count and an aristocratic comrade we meet sallying forth, lunettes on nose, treatise under arm, from the sails dc theorie. They produce emblazoned cigar-cases, and prepare to light up. The Brigadier, passing, observes and resents this display. “ People ought at least to have the decency not to swagger with such machines before comrades who are hard pushed to beg, borrow, or steal a pipe of canteen tobacco.” Monsieur is Count meets the rude thrust with the soft answer that turneth away wrath. “En verite, ’tis annoying, Brigadier ; perhaps you would do me the great favor of accepting one ?” Brigadier, promptly responding with action suited to the word : “ What I said, you know, was not for myself, gentlemen ; and, after all, it would be a pity to waste stuff like this on clods who would not knowhow to appreciate it.— Tinsley's Magazine.