Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 July 1901 — KITCHENER CAN UNBEND. [ARTICLE]

KITCHENER CAN UNBEND.

The British Commander Not Always the Stern Soldier. Most stories represent Lord Kitchener in a somewhat stern light. Here is one which shows that even the modern “man of blood and iron" can unbend. During the last Soudan campaign Kitchener was accompanied bya telegraphist, to whom he took the nearest approach to a fancy his, stem nature would allow. After Khartoum the telegraphist heard that his mother was ill and in want at home. He applied for his discharge, to which he was entitled. Kitchener sent for him, and demanded to know why he wished to leave. The man explained. “Don’t you think you could help your mother without going home, sir?” asked Kitchener. “I’d rather go home, sir,” replied the operator. “Oh, very well,” said Kitchener, closing the Interview abruptly. “You know your own-business best. That’ll do.”

The day came for the telegraphist to leave; and he went to bid his chief good-by. “Ah,” said Kitchener, “you’re a fool to go. I would have given you a good post had you stayed. I’m very busy-good-by.” The man saluted and was retiring, when Kitchener called out: “Here, just take this note to the paymaster for me.” The note w'as delivered, and the bearer was walking away when he whom the irreverent subalterns call “Shovelpenny” called him back. “I’m to give you this, by the General’s orders,” he said. “This” was equivalent in Egyptian money to a £lO note. It was characteristic of Kitchener that he would not lift a finger to urge the man to stay, and that he did not want to be thanked.