Friday, June 13, 2008

The Military Salute

1895

The military salute required in almost all civilized countries is nearly the same. Perhaps in Germany, however, the regulations are somewhat more stringent. A soldier on meeting the emperor has to stand still, face about and remain with hand raised for from 12 to 20 paces before his majesty approaches and for the same distance after he has passed. In Belgium an officer has to do the same thing for the king and subalterns for generals, though ten paces only are required for the latter case. Soldiers carrying anything so that their hands are quite occupied salute with their eyes — that is, they turn their heads in the direction of the person coming and going. French officers raise their caps to each other, but the privates do as the privates in other armies do. — London Standard.


Costly Business

"Looked here, mister, kin yo' tell me whar dey git marriage sustificates?" inquired an old colored individual of one of the bailiffs at the city hall the other day. The bailiff steered him toward the clerk's office. When he appeared before one of the gentlemen who issue the small slip of paper so requisite to the eternal happiness of a pair whom Cupid has visited, he repeated his request.

"Yes, sah; she hab a funny name; but, Lor, I don' know how she spells it," he said in answer to the clerk's question. "I alwa' jes' call her Luc fo' short. Do yo' wan' to know her age? She's jes' 25. I'm 65. Dat's a little discrepshon in our ages, but it don' matter. What money I makes I get at de top o' telegraph poles — dat is, I'm a lineman."

After venturing these remarks the old man stopped a minute to renew his supply of oxygen and then inquired the fee.

"Dat's purty strong, mistar. It's a purty costly bizness, dis her' gettin married, even when I'ze gwine to git a young an han'som' bride," said the old man as he fumbled in an aged purse and laid three quarters, two dimes and a nickel before the clerk. — Nashville Times.

No comments: