CUPID'S LETTER-BAG

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1997, 26 November 1888, Page 2

CUPID'S LETTER-BAG

(.FROM OUR PABI3 OOBKEBPONDBNT,) The " Cologne Gazette " tells an amusing story of the strange dieoovery a grenadier made during the laat week's manoeuvres. - They had been told off to reconnoitre for the enemy, and on his way through a field he Btumbled over a leather object wnich be picked up and brought to his corporal, ' who pronounced it to be a dress improver. On closer, inspection it turned oat to contain a lnrge number of billets doux oh tinted paper, written apparently by a student tv a lady m the.fr north of Bdriln. Tke oorporal, who was himself a etudent going through hiß (< one \ year's' service," tipped the, man, and kept' the " improver. ''. On the return to Berlio he called on f' the lady/ and had the good luck to find her alone ; but what yr&s his Burprise, she was a Bchool girl of tender years. Naturally under tho circumstances, ho hesitated to give up his find, and hinted that the parents ought to be told ; but tha fair on* was so importunate ju her ; entreaties that be fioally softened, "Papa and mamma bava no idea of •Benno'fl, existence ; please give it; back, you'll drive me to Buicide, she said m the most piteous way. " I haWno plac* to put his lettersso eafeas the "improver," but I Ipst it last Sunday when talking with mamtra and papa.. You oan't belive the anguish I have suffered from the thought that some naßty sneak, and not an honorable man, plight find it " Flease, pieaee, do give me my '' improver?'" She wae pretty, and the corporal could not refuse any longer, and gave m the quita forget his presence, kiseed the letters madly, and put the "improver "baok m its old place, laughing and cryirg for very joy. : . .. ; r-he was too absorbed to thank the soldier, whoi however, was plentifully rewarded by gettibg a good story to tell at mess.