CLEVER MACKAY

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 87, 24 September 1915, Page 3 (Supplement)

CLEVER MACKAY

Private John Mackay was pondering over the common problem of "raising die wind.'' He was absolutely stony, hadn't even the money to buy a packet of '"fags." But as he pondered an idea of striking originality took shape, which so delighted him with its .simplicity that lie immediately put it into practice. Entering a hut, which, a-ong with hundreds of others, Kitchener has had built to protect the soldiers from the changes of weather, he called to attention the party of new recruits. " (ientlemen," he began, as he produced a highly-polished .silver watch, " l have here a watch to sell. 1 already have a wristlet watch" —here he used the conventional lie—"'so there is no t;se keeping this one. Now, what do you offer for it?'' The question was addressed to no one in particular. Save tor cries of "a halfpenny" a.na "threepence," no one appeared to lie interested. But Mac wasn t downhearted. Advancing farther into the h.it, he held up his hand. -Well raffle it, then." he suggested, st'li feigning that he believed he would get a purchaser. "Here is a pack of cards." The curds were handed over, shutfled. and with the actions of an expert card player, a recruit deposited a card in front of each of the assembled men. "Now, each man back It's card, threepence aU round, and the watch goes to the highest card.' This was done with remarkable speed, the recruits had picket-money in p!entv. and the stumer now gathered >u his shekels. 'll le cards were then turned. and the fellow who had manages to win rushed off exultant to his corner . xultantly bearing his prize. Mac de;v rted. Half an hour later Mac quietly slipped into the recruits' hut, and going over to the man who had captuied the watch, whispered:— ■ The man J got the watch Iroin is wanting it. Til very likely get into a scrape if I don't get it. I'll give you a shilling for it." The recruit quickly jumped to -i"' conclusion that Mac had stolen the wat.il, and not wishing to be connected in any wav wilii stolen propcrtv, promptly handed it rack. As Mac went oft with his ">\atch ,n io> own hut he muttered: "Thats ed the wind, anyway. '

\n A.R on one of t.lio destroyers in i t,o North Sea v.as taking orders irom his lieutenant. A heavy sou swept aero-, knocking him down and dashing him to the other side of the ship. .Tust n miracle that lie was not wanhod overhoard. The lurch of the vesso brought him back somewhere near to the oiirrinal spot. Without exclamation of any kind lie leapt to his feet. Minted Mr,artiy, and said, " Be<i pardon, sir; didn't (psito catch what you said!"