(_Second-Lieutenant Humphrey Spence, who was slightly wounded through
a lack of a proper sense of the rights of rank._)
Second-Lieutenant Humphrey Spence
Had no idea of precedence;
To him his Colonel was no more
Than any other messroom bore;
And he would try to make a pal
Not merely of a General,
But even a horrified non-com
He'd greet with "Tiddly-om-pom-pom!"
Although in other ways quite nice,
He was perverted by this vice.
For instance, once he had to tea
A private in the A.S.C.,
And asked to meet him Cathcart-Crewe,
A Major in the Horse Guards Blue.
Too frequently did it occur
That, when a senior officer
Was with him, he would up and take
Salutes from privates. Why, he'd shake
Even Sir DOUGLAS by the hand
And say, "Old chap, you're doing grand."
This sort of thing caused some distress
Among the members of his mess.
He often took the Colonel's chair;
He often flourished in the air
His water-glass (when wine was scanty),
And shouted, "Cheero, Adjutanty!"
You see, he simply had no sense
Of military precedence.
His regiment went out to France
To help a general advance.
Now in a minute they must hop
Like billy-o across the top.
Amid the din the Colonel said,
"It will be hellish overhead.
Machine-guns will let loose a jet
Of bullets on the parapet;
We'll meet a burst of rifle fire,
And, as for shells, I don't desire
To see in so confined a space
A thicker lot than we shall face.
Now, gentlemen, attend, I pray--
When we attack, I lead the way!"
Now wouldn't anyone concur,
Saying at once, "With pleasure, Sir!"
Nor with undisciplined delight
Baulk the good Colonel of his right?
Not so young Spence. The moment came,
And, heedless of the cries of "Shame!"
He never offered _once_ to wait
Until the Colonel, more sedate,
Had scrambled o'er the parapet,
But got there first--and promptly met
A bullet.... _Folk who arrogate
The privileges of the great
Must take what ills thereto attach_
(The Colonel never got a scratch).
* * * * *
[Illustration: _Distracted Wife_. "OH, ALFRED--THE POTATO-PATCH!"]
* * * * *
"KAMERAD!"
"Baby Girl, 18 months, will surrender entirely to good home."--_Daily
Paper_.
* * * * *
"The Archdeacon of Stow thought it was a good maxim not to
argue with the huntsmen while shooting the rabbits, and moved
the previous question."--_Morning Post_.
If you want a real argument with a huntsman (of the ante-bellum type)
you should try shooting a fox.
* * * * *