HAD IMPORTANT BUSINESS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 378, 15 July 1911, Page 2

HAD IMPORTANT BUSINESS.

A small boy, having just arrived at the entrance gates of the Horse Guards, stopped to light a cigarette, and having done so was moving on when he espied the mounted soldier. Thrusting his hands deep into his trousers pockets he looked the imposing soldier up and down, and then familiarly shouted, "What cheer, old Tin-ribs !"

Trooper Tin-ribs responded to the salutation by growling, "Hook it, you rascal." "Who is yer a-movin' on ?" yelled the boy in a most aggravating fashion ; "is yer so cocky as to think yer the perleece ? Come down from that 'oss o' yourn, an' I'll punch yer."

The helpless sentry looked uncomfortable, and the boy, applying a grimy thumb to a very diminutive nose, danced about in. front of the irate Lifeguardsman. At length the trooper, losing all patience under the torment, shouted for the non-com-missioned officer of the guard. The boy went on : "Oh, you're afraid to take me yerself, so yer hollers for another cove dressed in a 'Stralian meat-tin wes kit. I 'aven't got time jist now to wollop the pair o' yer, as I've got wery important an' pressin' bizness to 'tend teri Good mornin', Mr. Tin-ribs." And the youth executed a timely bolt just as the clinking of spurs indicated the arrival on the spot oi the corporal of the guard.