SHORT WAR STORIES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1901, 9 November 1918, Page 4

SHORT WAR STORIES.

A RAKE PLEASURE. Apropos of General Omiraud. who has just accomplished such wonderful work on the Western front, Sir Harry Brittain relates a little incident which illustrates the regard in which the general is held by those who are under him. Some short lime ago Sir Harry was General Oouraud’s guest at. his headquarters, and at dinner one evening asked a member of the personal stall: what length of seivire he had pul in with the general. “Twelve years," came the immediate reply, “mais pas de service, donzze ans de honhctir." This affectionate regard by ids staff is backed up by the absolute devotion of every man in that army before Chalons, and has meant much towards the great victory which General Gouraud has gained. EVERY GFNGE TELLING. The German is nothing if not thorough. A German and a Swiss were discussing efficiency. The Swiss said ;■ "This is my idea of crticiency," and produced a picture. It represented an exceedingly stout woman engaged in rocking the cradle with one foot and operating a fanning device to keep the baby cool with the oilier fool; she was reading a hook held in a rack while she knitled, and a( the same lime sang a lullaby. The German looked at Ihe picture and snorted disdainfully. ''Good heavens, man," said the Swiss in astonishment, “what else on earth could she do?” “Veil, she weighs maybe a couple of hundred pounds,” said Ihe German. “She could he (impressing cheese hv silling on it, couldn’t she?” • ‘ A SHREWD SOLDIER’. it was (he general's inspection day, and his remark was heard all over the square. “Splendid!” he exclaimed, as F Company passed the ilagstaff. “Did. you hear that, Bill.’'' said our hero, just after passing the saluting base. “You slam! fast in the ranks after* parade,” snapped a sergeant (who was nearer to the speaker than he thought) “for talking during inspection." A ext day lie was brought before the adjutant at Hie orderly-room. “Frivate So-and-So, you are charged with talking in Ihe ranks during an inspection parade. What excuse have you to offer?" “Veil,” replied the ranker, “as we were passing the salnting-polo I heard the general remark: ‘Well done, lads! Splendid!’ and. of course, nie being elevated over hearing such praise, remarked: ‘Yes, and you've got the smartest ollicer in the whol.e army to thank tor making us splendid, and that's our adjutant!’ ’’ “Er—l say, Sergeant, dismiss this man at once, and don’t bring such frivolous eomphiinks before mo again!” “ '