LOCAL & GENERAL

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 November 1913, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL

On page 4 to-day appear ar 1 icleseutitled "Baleigh's Lost Ex pedition," and "A. Dramatic Ad venture.'" An old writing desk was sob for a few francs the other day a an auction in Toulouse, France While the new owner was cxamin ing the desk he discovered a sec-re drawer, which upon being openc* was found to contain .£4OO in coil and notes.

An amusing story of llie subtle knowledge (it' fcmiiiine character displayed by a Greek sergeant is related by M. Andre Tudest|, the speeial correspondent: in Maceduuia of the ".Journal." A sergeant in command of a detachment of Greek troops wliicli occupied a Turkish village issued a proclamasion ordering the Turkish women now subjects of a Christian nation, to cease wearing the veil out of doors. Xol the slightest nolice was taken of 1 lie order. The sergeant then tried another form of ' persuasion. He announced j hat a public ball would be held in the village square to celebrate •lie entry of Ihe Greek troops. \II ihe inhabitants were ordered d attend. The ball began, and he Turkish women peered timidly through their veils as the Greek ~•;is;sll< girls of the village danced ■.villi the soldiers. One by cmc !he Turkish women pulled olf their veils, and shyly accepted il;inee partners. Since that day not a single veil has been seen in ilie village, and the morning after i!h ball a deputation of Turkish omen asked the diplomatic sergeant to repeat the festivities next evening. A uni(jue instance of mother instinct came under the notice of an Itanium resilient the other day (says -the Mail). His_ cat had caught a young blackbird, and the mother, noticing the hapless plight of its offspring, attacked thecal with some ferocity. Surprised.nt the suddenness of the attack, the cat- took refuge in an out house without losing grip of its prey. Undaunted, the mother bird followed, and it was not until the young bird had been rescued thai the mother bird desisted in its attack. The young blackbird'some time after was again captured by the cat, from which its mother once more essayed to

rescue it, renewing the attack willi much vehemence, but without success. The next morning, strangely enough, the cat was still being followed- by the blackbird., who had been joined in her at-

tacks by her mate. Both birds, the moment the cat issued from the house, would swoop down over her back, the result of the strange onslaught being apparent by the disappearance of patches of fut from the cat.