“AN INCIDENT.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1892, 19 October 1918, Page 3

“AN INCIDENT.”

A staff officer (three stars) journeying on the Welling!on-W anganui express sat on one seal (in lirslclass carriage) with both feet planted in the centre of the seat adjoining (across the carriage). In the same carriage were a few soldiers just returning home from the front, including two who were looking after a comrade who was sadly injured by shellshock. The two former were standing, as there were no seals available. The stall officer ahuve referred to sat observing those hoys without seats —no doubt considering it infra dig. to allow a private to sit near him. This was too much for a civilian occupying the same carriage, so he Availed until the (rain had run some disfance, Avhon he asked the officer if he had paid for an extra seat for his fed ? Gelling no reply, Ihe civilian again pul the question, Avhen the officer condescended lo reply; “Why? Do you Avanl it ?” To which the civilian replied: “Oh, no! But then* are some soldiers in the carriage who Avould like to sit doAvn. ’ Ihe slab' officer then slowly removed his big feet from off Ihe seat, and actually had his dignity injured by one of the Avounded man’s comrades (a private) occupying the seat; but it avus noted the officer never once addressed one Avord to the returned man who had been fighting our battles in France. And the stall officer had not been out of Ncav Zealand; verb sap! —Wanganui Chronicle,