Camp Devens, Mass.—These colored noncommissioned officers are efficient or nothing.

A newly-made corporal, recently from Dixie, was superintending the breaking up of some old cases down in the 13th Battalion today. A dark recruit was wielding an ax with vigor and with fair success. The corporal apparently couldn’t find any specific thing the matter with his work, but he stopped him just the same. “Boy,” said the dignified corporal, “boy, does you know how to do dis yere work?”

“Co’se ah does,” replied the recruit rather indignantly.

The corporal eyed him dangerously. “Sojer,” he said, darkly, “did ah evah show you how dis should be done? Have yo’ evah received any constructions fum me?”

“No,” admitted the rookie reluctantly, “yo’ nevah tol’ me nuthin’.”

“Den, man, yo’ don’ know nuthin’,” exploded the corporal, and the private meekly dropped his ax.