And it
came to pass, that there cometh one which bore on his
shoulder, three stars, who spaketh; saying; "Bring unto
me the Sergeant Major."
And there cometh one who bore on his arm a golden crown.
Then he of the three stars saith unto him of the golden
crown; "Tomorrow at the ninth hour, parade before me one
hundred men and all that is theirs."
And the one of the golden crown answered, saying, "Lord
it is done."
And behold! On the morrow, at the ninth hour, there did
parade before him of the three stars, one hundred men,
with all that they did have, as had been promised him.
Then cometh others which bore on their shoulders two
stars and yet others who bore one star. These were
called"Subbies", which being translated from the Latin
meaneth "Small Fry" or "Little Potatoes". Then he of the
golden crown, standing before the one hundred men, cried
out with a loud voice, and did cause them to become
pillars of stone.
And behold! There cometh one which was called
"Quartermaster." This man held great power, for he
belonged to that tribe which said; "These men must
purchase from us." Thus did they wax fat in the land!
And, passing amongst one hundred men, he did say unto
this man and unto that man; "Where is this thing," and
"Where is that thing."
And they all had save one which was called. "Spudus
Murphy", and he lacked. Then he, the one which was
called Quartermaster, saith unto him; "Friend, where are
thy drawers woollen long and thy boots ankle, pair of
one?" And Spudus Murphy answered saying; "Lord, on the
third day of the week, I did thirst and had not the
wherewithal to satisfy my thirst, for I had not received
my reward. And I did take my drawers woolen long and my
boots ankle pair of one, unto mine uncle of the tribe of
"Love", and did say unto him "How many pieces of silver
for these things?" And he saith unto me, "Seven" And I
saith unto him; "Give to me that I may thirst not." And
he did trade with me. Then I took the pieces of silver
unto the abode of him that sold wine and did say unto
him; "Give me to drink that I may thirst not." And he
gave me, and I knew no more until the fourth day of the
week.
Then he of the three stars waxed exceeding wrath, and
calling two men. He placed one to the East, and one to
the West of Spudus Murphy and, turning sharply on his
left heel and right toe, he was led away and cast unto
the prison.
And on the morrow, he was bought before one which bore
on his shoulder, a crown and a star, showing him to be
above all men! This one was called CO, which, being
translated, meaneth; "Putter up of the wind." And he
saith unto Spudus Murphy; "What are these things that I
hear concerning thee? Sayest thou aught?"
Then Spudus Murphy related to him how that he had
exchanged his drawers woollen long and his boots ankle
pair of one, for silver for wine. Then he that was
called CO, waxed exceeding wrath, and his anger was
kindled against Spudus Murphy, and he saith unto him.
"Why has thou broken the laws which I have made? Knowest
not that thou has sinned? Now because thou has done this
thing, thou shalt be punished. "Twenty and eight days
shall thou labour."
Then was Spudus Murphy led away to a place where he
would hear the tick of the clock, but could not tell the
passage of time. And the name of that place was "The
House of Glass." And he was in that place twenty and
eight days.
So my friends, be not as the one, but rather as the
ninety and nine. Where thou thirsteth and has not the
wherewithal to satisfy thy thirst, wait until the day of
reward; then shall the joy be increased a thousand fold.
And now may the blessing of that great Saint, The
Regimental Paymaster, be amongst you, now and always.
Extract from the Vietnam
Veterans Federation newsletter. Queensland Sub-Branch
Inc
|