Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-09-14
THE EXEMPTION BOARD
VIEWED BY SHAKESPEARE
Present Day Situation Interesting
Compared To Time of Henry
VIII.

1t is interesting to compare the
racy sets about the work of select
ing her sons who are best fitted Tor
service in the cause of liberty, with
the manner of determining exemp-
tions from military service Gas
Shakespeare describes the scene) in
the time of Henry w. Justice Shall
low and Sir John Falstaff would not
be welcomed on an American eXemp-
ton board, but IL is perhaps Gu
ri0us fact to recall that they did hear
claims for exemption on the grounds
of dependent relatives and physical
infirmity-claims which did not al
ways hold water.
Where's the roll? asks Justice
Shallow. . Let them appear as
/ CALL letsthem do so, let them do so.
Let me see; where is Mouldy|
Mouldy-Here. ant please you.
Shallow-What think you, Sir
John? "A good limbed fellow; young.
strong. and of good friends.
Falstaff-ls thy name Mouldy?
Mouldy-Yea. ant please you.
Falstaff-Prick him.
Mouldy- . My old dame will
be undone now for one to do her hus-
bandry and her drudgery; you need
not to have pricked me; there are
other men filter to go out than !.
1t was Bullcalf who presented to the
exemption board plea for, exemption
on the ground of physical disability
Shallow-Peter Bullcalf o the
green!
Falstaff-Yea, marry let's see Bull
calf.
Bullcalf-Here, sir.
Falstaff-'Fore God, a likely fell
! low! Come. prick me Bullcalf till he
| Bulicalf-O Lord! good my lord
captain
Falstaff-What. dost thou roar be-
fore thou art pricked?
/ Bullcalf-O Lord, sir! ! am a dis
eased man.
Falstaff-What disease hast thou?
Bullcalf-A whoreson cold, sir. a
cough. sir. which | caught with ring
| ing in the kings affairs upon his
coronation day. sir.
| Nor was Bullcalf satisfied with this
attempt to secure exemption. Those
who remember their Henry W. will
recall the fact that both Mouldy and
Bullcalf also attempted to escape
service by bribery. 1t was this final
straw which led Falstaff to a dis
agreement with Justice Shallow
When the time came for deciding
Svho should go soldering, Falstaff
asks Justice Shallow to state his
choice. and among the four chosen
the justice selects both Mouldy and
Bullcalf. Falstaff abruptly breaks in:
Falstaff-Mouldy and Bullcalf; for
you, Mouldy. stay at home till you
are past service; and for your part
Bullcalf. grow till you come unto It;
will none of you.
Shallow-Sir John, Sir John, do not
yourself wrong; they are your likeli-
served with the best.
Falstaff-Will you let me, Master
Shallow, how to choose man? Cai
for the limb, the thieves, the stat
ure. bulk and big resemblance of n
mani Give me the spirit, Master
Shallow.
Among those who will present
themselves before our exemption
boards the percentage of Mouldys
and Bullcafs will. we believe and
hope. be very low.
There are man men who not only
have the right, but whose duty 1t is
ito claim exemption. Such men mus
never be confused with the Stacker.
who felt the force of Shakespeare.
satire.
i Yet in guarding against such q
confusion we will do well also to ac
cept the burden OF Falstaff's final ad
vice: GiyS us the spirit This /,
} sounder advice than that which W.
are accustomed to expect from tn,
fat knight.