"OWING BILL"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 79, 27 December 1917, Page 7

"OWING BILL"

Ho lived at Orepuki. While working on a stook; he Heard his • country calling, so went bounding down the hill. Ledgers closed behind him, His creditors "can't find him"; He "owed" all Oropuki, so thoy called him "Owing Bill." He walked to Invercargill Without a bite or gargle, For ho hadn't got a "stiver"—his assets stood at "nil." The Sergeant's kind eyes twinkled And two "half-sovs." bosprinkled The palm of "Owing William"—one just HAD to lend to Bill. For William had the muscle, And hungered for the tussle To defond* his country's honour and if necessary kill The foes who'd kill his "oobbors," . Creato heart-broken "sobbors" In homes round Orepuki—ONE was very dear to Bill. And don't deem Bill a rotter, A debt-evading plotter; He'd pay up as he got it—then invite you to a "gill," The glasses keep on filling And spend his latest shilling Till all cash was LIQUIDATED, then borrow more, would Bill. Through camp routine they raced him, Then on a troopship placed him; He dreaded not the Germans, but ho did

dread being ill. Billy's was the loudest chcor, Heard by thousands on the pior; "A cheer for old Now Zealand — 'guess I owe her that," said Bill. Next he u;on a D.S.O. (Of course, he couldn't miss tho owe. ) He'd SAID ho'd do his darndestseems ho did it with a will. Owing still to friends a fow, Paying off a score or two, He gave the Prussians' all ha owed— put "paid" to THEM did Bill. Then ho disappeared; two years, Not a lettor came-and fears ; And lines of trouble furrowed loving faces on (ho hill. The old farmhouse grew quiej;, His folks (though they'd deny it) Were mourning him in secret as one doad and gone—poor Bill. By Father's face so troubled, Poor Mother's load was doubled, Her loving lioart was breaking; looking from the window-sill She'd watch and call for ' Willie, While Dad spoke of our Billy - Names called him in his phildhpod when riot big enough for Bill. Sweet sympathy unbounded, Tho little home ■surrounded! Oropuki dropped tho "Owing and spoke of him as "Will"; Of good points sang the praises, Weak spots consigned to blazes, By gallant deeds he'd proved himself a MAN—had poor doad Bill. One lunch-hour to the stableFeed timo-thero camo a cable. While tho father's fingers trembled, the mothor's heart stood still; Afraid to look inside it, Half-dazed they stood beside itThoy KNEW it camo from ALLEN mid confirmed the death of Bill. Ono long pause—thon one big shout Brought all Oropuki out To "wonder whats the matter at the farm upon tho hill." Tho cablo was a snorter, It couldn't well be shorter"Got V.C.— broke'—in London—Will you send a 'tenner'?—BlLL." BARRIE MAESCHEL. Wellington, 26th December, 1917.