Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 104, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 September 1903 — Fairly Good Excuse. [ARTICLE]

Fairly Good Excuse.

Colonel Mills, superintendent of the West Point Academy, has a reputation for sternness. A subordinate off on a furlough sent him this dispatch: “Will not report to-day, as expected, account unavoidable circumstances.” The tone of the message was not at all to Colonel Mills’ mind, and he wired at once In reply: "Report as expected or give reasons.” Within an hour the following message came over the wires, dated from a hospital In New York: "Train off—can’t ride; legs off —can’t walk. Will not report unless you insist.” The colonel did not Insist— Boston Transcript