'MR CORPORAL.'

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3164, 19 August 1881, Page 4

'MR CORPORAL.'

It is related during the American Revolution the corporal ofaliltlo company wa* giving orders to thoso under him relative to a piece of timber, which they were endeavoring to raise up to the top of some military works they \rero repairing. The timber went up with difficulty; and on this account the voice of the little-great man was often heard in regular vociferations of 'Heave away! There she goes ! Heave oh P An oiScer, not in military costume, waa passing, and asked the noncommissioned officer why he did not take hold and render a little aid. The latter, aetonished, turned round, with all the pomp of an emperor, and said, 'Sir, I am a corporal!' 'You are, are you ?' replied the officer. 'I was not aware of that!' and, taking off his hat and bowinsr. the officer said, 'I ask your pardon, Mr Corporal. , He then dismounted and lifted till the perspiration stood in drops on his forehead. When the work was finished, turning to the corporal, he said, ' Mr Corporal, when you have another such job, and have not men enough, send for your Oommbnder-in-Chief, and I will come and help you a second time.' The corporal was thunderstruck. It was none other than Washington who thus addressed him.