THE VANISHING RUPEE.—A Cry from India.
A Colonel laments the disappearance of the Rupee, and shows how, whenever he had a step up in his Regiment (each time growing in importance and having more calls on his purse), the Rupee at once took a step down, decreasing in importance and reputation.
| As a “Sub,” free from family
ties, With constant “fivers” from the Pater, The Rupee I thought a goodly size, Though once its value was much greater. | Raised to Captain’s rank, it so
fell out I fell in love with the Station belle,[1] Got spliced; the Rupee, at once, no doubt, In spite, not in love, but value fell. |
| Children came, money went, all U
P, I thought, when promotion brought more pay (What luck!); but that slippery Rupee Decreased more visibly from that day. | Cramming! Schooling! Bills by
every post! But now, as Colonel, I think I see My way; but I count without my host. Vanished, like a ghost, has the Rupee! |
By this I do not mean the Barmaid who presides over the stale buns at our Railway Refreshment-room; I refer to the prettiest girl at the Military Station where I was quartered.