FROM THE VALLEY OF THE JORDAN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 116, 10 February 1919, Page 4

FROM THE VALLEY OF THE JORDAN

(By Sylvius.) His inuch-creased khaki tunic, 6corchcd complexion, and newly-arrived look proclaimed hiin a freshly returned soldier. He was blue at the points, and gave an occasional shudder as he leaned on his stick at fv busy corner, searching for somebody to 6ay '"Oher" to. Sensing the man's loneliness; and fancying* that he might be shy at asking '■civvies" questions that might cause n gnu, I stopped alongside, and carelessly said '"Cher, Digger!" Hβ 6«id; ' "'Cher!' But I ain't no digger! "Haven't you been on active service?" "Kight enough I have—but all active service men ain't 'Diggers.' I'm from the 'Oly Land." "Then the soldiers from Palestine are Dot called 'Diggers'? "Certainly not they ain't—Diggers are the blokes in France. We was mounted men. Rode from Gippo (Egypt) up to Jericho, yes, and into the Valley of tho Jordan." "Some ride!" "You've said it, mate—when you've seen and felt the Valley of the Jordan, the Bible can't give you inauy points. When I 'ears them Fisk Jubilee Singers sawin' out 'Holl, Jordan, Roll/ I'll throw

things at 'em!" . "What's the matter with the Promised Land?"

"Look now, mate, if you promised me the 'ole of the Valley of the Jordan for a home, I would , tell you to rub it in your 'air. It was 'ell—that's what it was. Don't make no error. Wot with the 'eat, lor luinmie! An' the flies, an' the fever. 'Jer.ry,' and 'Jeru,' and Lud ain't so bad, but the Valley of the Jordan—it brings on a relapse to think about.it (and he shivered)." "It's a good job you landed back here in tho summer."

"Summer! If a only a rumour. We've all felt as how we've been in cold store since we'vo' beon 'omo. I guess this 'ere old war's twisted yer seasons, or else they've got their dazzlo paint to work, and aro palming this off on yer as summer. I don't know 'ow the others are doin', but if this weather's goin' to last I'm goin' to sit in a 'ot bath till the winter comes. Then I'd go and pick daisies. There's me cob'jer Jim. Hey, Jim. Well, solong, matey. Just goin' along to have a Turkish bath. I want tor 'get broke to this olimate gradual like!"

And away he went with Jim, wliosb uniform was just' as much creased, but ho had one leg less than the man from tho Valley of tho Jordan.