Kassim Pasha, when Minister of War for Egypt, was very
particular in regard to the personal appearance of his officers
and issued stringent orders that they should never appear
unshaven in public. One day he met upon the street a lieutenant
who had bearded the pasha and disregarded his orders. “To what
regiment do you belong?” demanded the indignant minister.
“To the ---- regiment, at Abasseuh,” replied the frightened
lieutenant. “Get into my carriage at once so that I can carry
you to the encampment and have you publicly punished,” was the
stern command which followed.
The young man obeyed, and the twain rode along gloomily enough
for some time, when the pasha stopt his carriage and entered an
office where he would be detained for some time on business.
Seizing the opportunity, the culprit sprang from the vehicle,
darted into a neighboring barber’s stall and regained his
post before the return of his jailer minus his beard. For the
remainder of the route the officer buried his face in his hands
and seemed the picture of apprehension.
Abasseuh was reached at last, and all the officers were
assembled to witness the degradation of their comrade, who all
the while kept well in the rear of his chief. “Come forward, you
son of a dog!” cried the irate pasha, when there stept before
him an officer with a face as clean as a baby’s and a look of
the most supreme innocence. His excellency gave one look of
blank astonishment and then, with an appreciative smile breaking
over his war-worn features, turned to the assembled officers and
said, “Here, gentlemen, your old minister is a fool, and your
young lieutenant is a captain.”--Pitston _Gazette_.
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