An Awkward Mistake.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 3, Issue 55, 29 January 1883, Page 2

An Awkward Mistake.

It is not generally known that four thousand of people, were executed when bur men marched on Belhi during tht Mutiny ; and one grim story, the grimmest I know, illustrates our mode of terminating our connection with the Sepoys. A certain officer held an improvised court, where he spent day aftar day m ordering executions. The' proceedings ran semewhat as ollows :— " A native wa« led m and. a a soldier said simply, ' Native. . Taken m arms.' The president of the Court then said (m a lingo which I can't spell), 'All right, take him out." Then the unhappy wretch was hustled through another door, with his hands held bach and his neck forced forward. Some strapping Sikhs were waiting outside and a blow from a eta war shot away the head of the victim of English justica. fho body was lugged off and pitched down a dry well. While dor amateur judge was despatching man after man m his comprehensive way, a messenger arrived with a note. The note said : " Dear-— — What sickening work this is ! When you have done come and have some dinner with me. I have some venison and I can ' promise you both wine and ice." Th» officer crumpled up the note and said dreamily (m the same unspeakable lingo), " AH right take him out." ; The two friends had a' capital dinner, and enjoyed their iced champagne very much. When coffee came the host said,- " Well, I'm glad you turned up., Of course you must have had my note, or you would'nt be here^ But by the waj, old fallow, rather an extraordinary thing happened. My bearer hasn't come bach !'* The guest started, gasped-— and remembered. Probably no messenger was ever so scurvily rewarded for carrying an invitation to a good dinner It was useless to look for the poor follow down the dry well, so, let him reposa there.