I wonder whether there was murder in the heart of the grim old warrior
at the recollection. Of course that would not be strange, for many a
time officers have been actually shot in action by their own men.

Here is a perfectly true story, only neither the men nor the officer
need be specified.

A colonel who had grossly mismanaged the regiment knew his fate was
sealed.

So when the men paraded for the engagement, he said:--

'I know you mean to shoot me to-day, but for God's sake don't do so
until we have won the battle.'

This was greeted with a cheer, and he came back safe to be decorated and
to play whist at his club as badly as any member in it.

I am not sure that cards ought not to be considered part of every lad's
training. If a man goes through life without touching a card, he
probably loses a good deal of innocent amusement, and debars himself
from much pleasant society. If he learns to play when grown up, he may
find it a costly and unsatisfactory branch of education. But if he is
taught to play reasonably well as a boy, and is shown that excellent
games can be had without gambling--I do not consider an infinitesimal
stake, in proportion to his means, gambling--he will have an extra
amusement made for him and a relaxation after his day's work.

A near relative of my own gets his club cronies to play bridge with his
son, aged eighteen, and pays his losses, in order that he may be