Patriotism,

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 15, 10 April 1902, Page 19

Patriotism ,

It is wonderful to what lengths patriotism will drive peopleArtemus Ward said that he was willing to sacrifice all his wife's relations in the war. His generosity has been equalled, if not sur. passed, by that of a certain lady of whom Colonel Staokpool spoke in a recent interview in M.A.P. According to the Colonel the said lady wrote this letter to him :—: —

' Dear Sir, — I hear that the soldiers in South Africa suffer very much from thirst. An old soldier in our village, who is now a total abstainer, told me that sucking a pebble is a very good thing under such circumstances. I enclose two pebbles, and shall be very pleased indeed to collect sacks full of them to send to the men in South Africa if you can make arrangements for forwarding them.'

I am sure the soldiers would prefer' the pebbles to the beer. The former wouldn't leave any brown taste in the mouth.