The Daily Missoulian., 1917-08-12
Shaw's Newest Satire Hits
War Romantics in Keen Way

The war, not as it seems IN France.
but as |, reacts IN England Is the
subject Of Rnrnard Shawa latest
farce. "OTlahcriy, V. g." Is published
In the August number OF Hearst 's
Magazine II shows Shaw at his best.
punctnrnG romantic faneios yet for
ever proving that reality is fine enough
and brave enough To meet the human
hunger which creates romantic fan
cies.
The business of recruiting is pic
tnred first in the play. ptlahcrty
wearing Victoria cross, has come
from the front TO meet his mother and
To help IN a recruiting campaign. lie
Is chatting as the play opens with
General Sir Pcarce Madigan. described
as IAN eldrely bnronct in khaki. beam
ing with enthusiasm" This Is II por-
ton of the initial dialogue:
oFlaherty trclaxins)-rm thankful
TO YOU. Sir Pearce; but | wouldn't have
any one think that the baronet OF my
native place would let a common sol :
dfer like me sit down in his presence
without leave.
Sir Pearce-WeE, you're not n com
mon soldier. DFlaher;y. you're a very
uncommon one. and I'm proud to have
you for my guest here today.
uFlaherty--Surc. | know, sir You
have to put up with a lot from the like
of me for the sake of recruiting All
the quality shakes hands with me and
says they're proud to know me- just
the way the king said when he pinned
nc
I'm standing here. sir the queen said
to me: Il hear you were born on tho
estate of General Madiean." she says.
and the general himself tells me yo,,
We're always a fine young fellow"
"Bedad, man. | says to her, If the
general knew all the rabbits | shared
On him, and all the salmon ! sna,ched
on him, and all tho cows MIXED on
him. he'd think me the finest orna =
insnt for the county jail he ever sent
there for poaching."
Sir pearc" Naughlng) wei
come to them all. my lad. Come Che
makes him sit down again on the gar
den seat. sli down and enjoy your
holiday. CHe sits down on one of the
iron chairs; TIA" one ut the d0Orl'as
side Of the pOrch).
oFlaheTty Holiday. is it, rd give
five shiIlnss to be back In the trenches
for the sake of a little rest aud quiet
| never knew what hard work was Till
l took To recruiting. What WAS the
standing on my legs ali day. and the
shaking hands. and the making
speeches. and-what's worse--thn lis
tening To them. and the calling for
al f1,4 L inc T..
salnting the flag till I'm stiff with it,
and the listening to them playing God
Save In" King and "Tipperary." and
the trying to make my eyes look moist
like u man in "A picture book, I'm that
het that hardly get a wink of sleep
| give you my word. Sir psarcc. that
l never heard the tune Of "Tipperary'
in my life till came back from Elan-
derst and already it's drove me to tina,
pitch of tiredness of it that when q
poor little innocent slip of a. boy IN
the street the other night drew him
self mp and salutcd and began whis
Ting 1t at me | clouted his head fol
him, God forgive me.
Sir Pearcc tsoothincly)-Yes, YES
| l know, | know. One does get fed ur
| with it: I've been dog g-tired myself OF
| parade many a time. But still, yor
know. there's n gratifying side to it
| too. After all. he Is our king: ant
it's our own country. isn't 1t?
OFIaherty-Well. sir, to you thai
have an estate in it. 1t would feel like
your country. But the devil n perct
vof 1t ever I owned. And as to thu
king God help him. my mother woa!t