IMPERIAL CONTRIBUTOR.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1732, 24 April 1913, Page 6

IMPERIAL CONTRIBUTOR.

AND NAVAL OFFICER. "Of course—ah—l have, visited American and Japancso warships," said tho man who was inclined to patronise tho warship bocnuso Die was helping to pay for her, and v;ho felt that his proprietary interest entitled him to ask questions. They were silly questions, but no matter, lie askod them, and tho young naval officer to whom they, wero addressed said yea or nay with that imperburbablo British gravity which is tho admiration of all beholders. 'Indeed!" ho replied. "The—ah—efficiency, and tho—ah—discipline on the American ships is—ah>— excellent," continued tho Imperial contributor in a tono which challenged argument. "Indeed!" replied the naval officer. "And—ah—of course, the Japanese is wonderful!" The naval man looked profoundly impressed. .Had there been no one looking, tho Imperial contributor would probably have been seized by tilic slack of his trousers and heaved over tho rail. But ho did not know it—ho sailed on till tho jolt reached him. "Tell me," lie nagged, "is the—ah—efficiency as high in this—ah—ship?" and ho swept his patronising eye aloft and around. "I speak as a layman,, of course." The officer fixed ti calm cold eyo upon tho Imperial contributor and'kept it there until his victim felt his liver turn to water. Then lie spoke: "A layman? I thought so!" Then he walked away, leaving tho Imperial contributor up to his neck in thought.