CONVERTED.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 5 June 1914, Page 7

CONVERTED.

There are many amusing stories told of soldiers who try to escape church parade. The following incident is true, and occurred at a certain military depot, where a number or recruits were temporarily stationed. On the first Sunday an old sergeant was ordered to ascertain to what religious sect each man belonged, and to see that he joined the party told off for that particular form of worship. Some of the men had no liking for church, and declared themselves to be atheists. But the sergeant was a Scotsman, and & man of experience. "Ah, weel," said he, "then ye hae no need to kape holy the Sabbath, and the stables biae na been cleaned oot lately." And he ordered them to dean out the stables. This occupied practically the whole day, and the men lost their usual Sunday afternoon's leave. Next Sunday a broad smile crept over the face of the sergeant when he heard that the atheists had joined the Church of England. The train had stopped, and the old lady put her head out of the window and inquired of a young railway porter what it was -stopping for. The young man was inclined to be facetious. "Engine out late last night," he remarked, with a smile, "so she's got a thirst on her this morning ; they're givin' 'er a drop o' water." "Sure it's water ?" queried the dame. "If you'll wait a minute I'll inquire whether they're givin' 'er port wine," he grinned. "Never mind, young man, don't trouble," came the answer. "I thought, perhaps, bj the way we've been getting along, it was sloe gin."