Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1899 — “Not the General’s Cow.” [ARTICLE]

“Not the General’s Cow.”

“Tommy Atkins”—the slang name of the British private—is not noted for his politeness, but for his obedience to orders. Years ago In a seaport town in England a general and an admiral were neighbors. The general’s house was fronted by a grass-plot, on which he pastured a cow. One day his wife complained to him that the supply of milk was falling short The sentinel accounted for the deficiency—the public trod down the pasture. Thereupon the general gave orders that no human or other animal except his cow should be allowed on the grass-plot He added that If this rule was infringed the sentinel should be flogged. Soon after, the admiral’s wife, in haste to keep an engagement, took a ( short cut over the plot, disregarding the sentinel’s order to keep off the grass. “Common soldier, don’t you know who I am?” ejaculated the offended lady. “All I know Is that you’re not the general’s cow.”