FROM THE VALLEY OF THE JORDAN

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1919, Page 3

FROM THE VALLEY OF THE JORDAN

! (Dominion.) | ! His muatycj*eased khaki, scorched ' complexion, and newly-arrived look proclaimed him a freshly returned sol dier. He iva's blue at the points, and gave an occasional shudder as he leaned on his stick at a. busy corner, searching for somebody to say “ ’Olier” to. Sensing the man’s lone’liness, and fancying that he might be shy at asking “civies" questions that might cause a grin, 1 stopped alongside, and carelessly said “ ’Cher Digger!" Ho said. "’Cher! But I ain’t no digger!" ‘‘Havent’t you been on- active - service. 9" ‘‘Right enough I have—but all active, men ain’t ‘diggers.’ I’m ftt>m the ’Oly Land.” "Then the soldiers from Palestine are not called ‘Diggers. 9 ’ "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 the 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 many points. When I ’ears them Fisk .Tube lee Singers sawin’ out ‘Roll, 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 ’ome, 1 would tell you tp nib it in your ’air. It was ’ell—thats tvhat it Was. Don’t make no error. Wot with the ’oat. lor luiwnie! An’ the flies, an’ the fever. ‘Jerry,’ and “‘Jem,’ alul Lud ain’t so bad, but the Valley of the Jordan—it brings on a relapse to think about it, (and lie shivered).” “It’s a good job you landed back here in the summer.” “Summer! It’s only a rumour. We’ve all felt as how we ! yp been in a cold store since we've been ’onto. I guess this ’ore old war’s twisted yer seasons, or else they’ve got their dazzle pajnt to work, and are palming this off on yer as summer. I don’t know 'ow the | others are doin’, but if this weather’s j goin’ to last I’m goin’ to sit in a ’ot bath till the winter comes. Then I’d go and pick daises. There’s me cobber Jim. Hey, Jim. A Veil, solong, matey.! Just goin’ along to have a Turkish, bath. I want ter get broke to this cli- | mate gradual like-” AnJ'away )ip went with Jim, whose uniform was just qs inpcl) creased, hut lie had one leg less than tlie man from the Valley of the Jordan