Illustrations

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Pride, Examples Of: Self-Importance

During the American Revolution, it is said that an officer not wearing his military uniform was passing by where a small company of soldiers were at work making some repairs on a small fortification. The leader of the little squad was giving orders to those who were under him relative to a timber which they were endeavoring to raise to the top of the works. The timber went up hard, and on this account the voice of their little leader was the oftener heard in his regular vociferations of "Heave away! There she goes! Heave ho!

The officer before spoken of stopped his horse when he came to the place, and seeing the timber some times scarcely move, asked the the squad leader why he did not take hold and render a little aid. The latter appeared to be somewhat astonished, and turning to the officer with the pomp of an emperor, said "Sir, I am a corporal! You are not though, are you?" said the pompous little corporal." "I was not aware of that," said the out-of-uniform officer, taking off his hat and bowing, I ask your pardon, Mr. Corporal!" Upon this, the officer dismounted from his elegant steed, flung the bridle over a post, and helped the laboring soldiers lift the timber till the sweat stood in drops upon his forehead.

When the timber was elevated to its proper station, turning to the proud little squad leader, the officer said: "Mr. Corporal Commander, when you have another such job and have not men enough, send to your Commander-in-chief, and I will come and help you a second time." The corporal was thunderstruck. The out-of-uniform officer was General George Washington. --Paxton Hood