RECRUITING EXTRAORDINARY.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 60, 26 July 1884, Page 2

RECRUITING EXTRAORDINARY.

Frederick of JPrussia had a mania for enlisting gigantic soldiers into the Royal Guards, and paid un immense I'ounty Lo iiis recruiting for gel ting 1 then!. Olio day a recruiting sergeant It ippeiied to spy a iTiborniau who w.ip at least 7ft. high ; ho .iecu>ted him in English, and proposed that he 1 should eidisfc. The idea of a military 'ife and a large bounty so delighted Patrick that lie at once consented. " But," said the sergeant, " unless you can speak German the king will not #ive yon so much." " Oh, be jabers !" s.iid the Irishman \ "shurej it's I that don't know a word of German." "But/ 5 said the sergeant, " three words Mil Ie 1 sufficient, and these you eiiri learn in a short time. The king knows every man in the Guards. As soon as he &r«p, you, he will ride up and ask how oid you are : you will say '27'*, next how long have you been in the service ? you must reply ' three weeks ;' finally, if you are provided with clothes and rations : you answer * Both.' Patrick soon learned to pronounce his answers, but never dreamed of learning the questions. In three weeks he appeared before the king in review His majesty rode up to him. Paddy stepped forward with " present arms." " How old are you ?" said tne king. " Three weeks," said the Irishman. " How long have you been in the service ?" asked his majesty. " Twentyseven years." "Aml or you a fool ?" roared the king. " Both." replied Patrick, who was instantly taken to the guard-room.