PATRIOTISM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1613, 21 September 1916, Page 4

PATRIOTISM.

There is n (file story, or sketch, in “Punch.” It is entitled “The Birthday Present,” and the scene is the breakfast room in one of “the stately homes in England.” It is the eighteenth birthday of the third and youngest son; his two brothers went In the front some time before. The mother is the first to enter the room, and she notes two official envelopes among the correspondence awaiting her husband. She is in anxious suspense for some minutes, but he comes at length, and the letters are opened. She Watches his face, and reads confirmation of her fears. “Dead! . . . which"? Oh,

Hurry, not both?” Rome moments of silent agony, and they hear steps on the stairs and a voiee singing. The boy is arrested by the sight of the strained faees; lie notices the official papers. “Bad news, dad?”

There was no answer. He had not expected one, for he read the truth on the face that never lied. He stood very still for a brief mo- . ment, his head up —characteristically—his face a little pale. Both brothers!

Then he breathed deeply and turned to his father in expectation. “You are eighteen to-day, boy, yfin may apply .for your commission.”

There was a cry, quickly, stilled from the mother, and the boy said very quietly: “Thank you, dad; of course I must go now.” Then he went to his mother and kissed her, and was not ashamed to cry. It was his father who broke the silence.

“May God grant you many returns, many happv returns of the dav!”