“Oh, be jabbers,” said the Irishman; “sure it’s I that don’t know a word of German.”
“But,” said the sergeant, “I know you can learn in a short time. The king knows every man in the guards. As soon as he sees you he will ride up and ask you how old you are; you will say, ‘twenty-seven years’; next, how long you have been in the service; you must reply, ‘three weeks’; finally, if you are provided with clothes and rations; you answer, ‘both.’”
Pat soon learned to pronounce his answers, but never dreamed of learning the questions.
In three weeks he appeared before the king in review. His Majesty rode up to him. Paddy stept forward with “present arms!”
“How long have you been in the service,” said the king.
“Twenty-seven years,” said the Irishman.
“How old are you?” asked his Majesty.
“Three weeks,” said the Irishman.
“Am I or you a fool?” roared the king.
“Both,” replied Patrick, who was instantly taken to the guard-house, but pardoned by the king after he understood the facts of the case.—Judge’s Magazine.