1230000283349_

Example in this ebook

CHAPTER I.
SPUD TAMSON ENLISTS.

The Glesca Mileeshy was a noble force, recruited from the Weary Willies and Never-works of the famous town of Glasgow. It was also a regiment with traditions, for in the dim and distant past it had been founded by 1000 heroic scallywags from out of the city jails. These men were dressed in tartan breeks and red coats, given a gun and kit, shipped straight to the Peninsula, and on landing there were told to fight or starve.
Well fecht, was their unanimous reply, and fight they did. Inured to hardships, they quickly adapted themselves to the tented field, and early displayed a thirst
AyI waant tae jine the Mileeshy.
Which Militia?
The Glesca Mileeshy, of coorse.
Very well, come with me, and Ill get you a Field-Marshals baton, said the sergeant with glee, for this recruiter was feeling thirsty and much in need of his half-crown fee. He led Spud into the recruiting office, and told him to strip.
When did you have a bath last?
Last Glesca Fair, answered Spud, quite unashamed of his nigger-like skin.
What! Ten months ago?
Ach! thats naething; ma faither hisna had a waash since he got mairret.
Well then, whats your age?
Age! I dinnae ken!
Dont know your age?
Naw, but I wis born the year that the auld chap wis sent tae Peterheid.
Oh, what was that for?
Knockin lumps aff the auld wifes heid wi a poker.
Very well, well say youre nineteen, added the sergeant. Now, whats your religion?
The Salvation Army. Ye see, the auld chap kept in wi them, for they gie him a bed when hes on the bash.
And whats your occupation?
Cornet-player. I blaw the trumpet, an the auld chap gies oot the balloons and candy.
What is your full name and address?
Spud Tamson, Murder Close, the Gallowgate, five up, ticket number 10,005.
Thats a big number!
Ay, thats the number o fleas in the close.
Now, my lad, get into that bath and then youll pass the doctor.
When Spud emerged from the water he was a different lad. The grime of years had gone, leaving his skin pink and fresh. He looked fit indeed with the exception of his spurtle legs and somewhat comical face. However, the old sergeant wanted his half-crown, so Spud had to pass by hook or by crook. He made him hop round the doctors room like a kangaroo, and when he was just on the verge of failing in the eyesight test he whispered the number of dots in his ear. And so Spud Tamson was passed as a fullblown private into the Glesca Mileeshy.
Theres the shilling. Go home and say good-bye to your friends; but remember, be at the station to-night at eight.
A richt, sergint. Ill be there, replied Spud, as he marched proudly out of the door. Soon after, he announced the news to his now fond and proud parents.
Im prood o ye, son, said Mrs Tamson. Here, tak yer faithers shirt and Sunday breeks and pawn them. Youll get twa shillins on them. And bring back a gill o the best, twa bottles o table beer, an a pun o ham. Well hae a feast afore ye gang tae the Mileeshy, concluded his mother, as she handed Spud the articles for pawning. He blithely stepped off, and on his return was followed by all the thirsty members of the Murder Close Brigade.
Heres tae Private Spud Tamson of the Glesca Mileeshy, said Mrs Tamson, raising a glass to her lips, and giving Spud a look of pride.
Ay, hell be a braw sodger, chimed in an old wife.
If it wisnae for his legs, said Tamson senior.
Lets hae a sang, interjected Hungry Bob, another relative who was a professional militiaman. All were agreed, and Bob commenced to sing
Their caps were tattered and battered,
And jackets faded and worn,
Their breeches ragged wi crawling
When boosey and a forlorn;
Yet when dressed in the tartan
Theyre the pride o the womens eye,
Are the Rusty, Dusty, Deil-may-care,
Plucky Auld G.L.I.

To be continue in this ebook

...(*_*)1230000283349_

Example in this ebook

CHAPTER I.
SPUD TAMSON ENLISTS.

The Glesca Mileeshy was a noble force, recruited from the Weary Willies and Never-works of the famous town of Glasgow. It was also a regiment with traditions, for in the dim and distant past it had been founded by 1000 heroic scallywags from out of the city jails. These men were dressed in tartan breeks and red coats, given a gun and kit, shipped straight to the Peninsula, and on landing there were told to fight or starve.
"Well fecht," was their unanimous reply, and fight they did. Inured to hardships, they quickly adapted themselves to the tented field, and early displayed a thirst
"AyI waant tae jine the Mileeshy."
"Which Militia?"
"The Glesca Mileeshy, of coorse."
"Very well, come with me, and Ill get you a Field-Marshals baton," said the sergeant with glee, for this recruiter was feeling thirsty and much in need of his half-crown fee. He led Spud into the recruiting office, and told him to strip.
"When did you have a bath last?"
"Last Glesca Fair," answered Spud, quite unashamed of his nigger-like skin.
"What! Ten months ago?"
"Ach! thats naething; ma faither hisna had a waash since he got mairret."
"Well then, whats your age?"
"Age! I dinnae ken!"
"Dont know your age?"
"Naw, but I wis born the year that the auld chap wis sent tae Peterheid."
"Oh, what was that for?"
"Knockin lumps aff the auld wifes heid wi a poker."
"Very well, well say youre nineteen," added the sergeant. "Now, whats your religion?"
"The Salvation Army. Ye see, the auld chap kept in wi them, for they gie him a bed when hes on the bash."
"And whats your occupation?"
"Cornet-player. I blaw the trumpet, an the auld chap gies oot the balloons and candy."
"What is your full name and address?"
"Spud Tamson, Murder Close, the Gallowgate, five up, ticket number 10,005."
"Thats a big number!"
"Ay, thats the number o fleas in the close."
"Now, my lad, get into that bath and then youll pass the doctor."
When Spud emerged from the water he was a different lad. The grime of years had gone, leaving his skin pink and fresh. He looked fit indeed with the exception of his spurtle legs and somewhat comical face. However, the old sergeant wanted his half-crown, so Spud had to pass by hook or by crook. He made him hop round the doctors room like a kangaroo, and when he was just on the verge of failing in the eyesight test he whispered the number of dots in his ear. And so Spud Tamson was passed as a fullblown private into the Glesca Mileeshy.
"Theres the shilling. Go home and say good-bye to your friends; but remember, be at the station to-night at eight."
"A richt, sergint. Ill be there," replied Spud, as he marched proudly out of the door. Soon after, he announced the news to his now fond and proud parents.
"Im prood o ye, son," said Mrs Tamson. "Here, tak yer faithers shirt and Sunday breeks and pawn them. Youll get twa shillins on them. And bring back a gill o the best, twa bottles o table beer, an a pun o ham. Well hae a feast afore ye gang tae the Mileeshy," concluded his mother, as she handed Spud the articles for pawning. He blithely stepped off, and on his return was followed by all the thirsty members of the "Murder Close Brigade."
"Heres tae Private Spud Tamson of the Glesca Mileeshy," said Mrs Tamson, raising a glass to her lips, and giving Spud a look of pride.
"Ay, hell be a braw sodger," chimed in an old wife.
"If it wisnae for his legs," said Tamson senior.
"Lets hae a sang," interjected "Hungry Bob," another relative who was a professional militiaman. All were agreed, and Bob commenced to sing
"Their caps were tattered and battered,
And jackets faded and worn,
Their breeches ragged wi crawling
When boosey and a forlorn;
Yet when dressed in the tartan
Theyre the pride o the womens eye,
Are the Rusty, Dusty, Deil-may-care,
Plucky Auld G.L.I."

To be continue in this ebook

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