WANTED TO BE A "MASCOT"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2850, 15 August 1916, Page 6

WANTED TO BE A "MASCOT"

A BOY SCOUT'S ENTERPRISE.

"Woll, sonny, what is your business?" said a recruiting officer at the Town Hall yesterday afternoon, when a bright-faced, intelligent-looking lad advanced timi3ly into the office.

"Please, sir, I want to enlist?" said the boy.

"Oh, dear," said Captain Barclay, "you want to enlist, do you? Well done! But I'm afraid 1 you're a little too young. How old arc you?"

"Thirteen,, sir I" said the lad." "And what did you. want to go as, eh?"

"A mascot, sir. I knew I wasn't old enough to be a soldier, but I thought 1 could go as a mascot." "Arid whit put that thought into your head?" "I see a lot of men loafing about, a« if they don't care which side's going to win," said tho boy boldly. "There's tho right spirit, gontlcmonl" said Captain Barclay. "If tho' men who are shirking only had tho spirit of this boy! Ah, well! And what's your name, boy?" "Harold Clarence Sarlot, sir."

"And where do you live?"

"13 Normandy Street—just by tho Newtown Post Office," returned the boy, who then, suddenly remembering an argument that might hotp him, said: "I was a hoy scout. I was in one lot, but it's changed mow, and I'm in the Salvation Army's Boy Scouts!" , "Good, very good! said tho Chief Recruiting Officer. "I'm sorry wo can't take,you, but I'll enter yowr name on my books in red ink, as one under age." So the lad was given, a number, and his name was duly placed on record as one who wished to enlist in any Reinforcement, and under the heading of branch of service was written the word "mascot." - Further, Captain Barclay filled in an enlistment card in proper form, and initialled it. "There you are, my boy. You may live to to proud of that—don't lose it!" "No fear of that, sir. Good-bye!' And the youngest would-be recruit to offer himself for service, drew himself up stiff, saluted, and with flushed cheeks and shining eyes left the office.