By the way, when the battalion was asked to volunteer, the men only raised one point. They didn't trouble themselves about the work or the risk of it, but they wondered whether anybody really _would_ look after their homes and dependants when the excitement had died down a little. Their scepticism may be due to a certain music-hall comedian who used to declare as follows:--"And if, gentlemen, this glorious old country of ours shall ever be involved in war, I know, I say, gentlemen, that I know, there is not a man in this hall to-night who will fail to turn out and see the troops off." But to-day things are different, and these boys of ours, a noisy, troublesome and magnificent crew, need have no fear about the homes they leave behind them. Yours ever, HENRY. * * * * * Illustration: HOW WE SAVED THE HARVEST AT SLOSHINGTON-ON-SEA. * * * * * "WANTED.--Girls to sort nuts." _Advt. in "Liverpool Echo."_ The object is to find if there are any without grease on their hair. * * * * * Illustration: THE TRIUMPH OF "CULTURE." * * * * * Illustration: THE MISFORTUNE OF WAR. _Tired Tim._ "'ERE, I DON'T ARF LIKE THE LOOK O' THIS, BILL." _Work-shy Willy._ "NO, MORE DON'T I, MATE. CUSS THAT THERE KAISER!" * * * * * FELINE AMENITIES. Thanks to the courtesy of the Editor we are able to publish the following selections from the stories about cats sent in for the prize competition organised by _The Scottish Meekly_. The first received a complete edition of the sermons of Dr. Angus McHuish, the second a mounted photograph of Sir Nicholson Roberts, and the third a superb simulation gold pencil-case. THE LIFE-STORY OF A WILD CAT.