Old Mumble on the Fire-bell

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 24, 7 August 1888, Page 2

Old Mumble on the Fire-bell

« I have not heard of the Fire Brigade having yet christened their late acquisition in the shape of a big bell, but as all musical instruments of that class are supposed to be of the masculine persuasion, I will make use of the personal pronoun of that gender in saying my little say about this new arrival. I must not forget that I'm writing on rather a " high" subject, and that it is a very *' weighty" matter too ; still I think it is not too " hard" to say something about. My description of Ben, or Tom, or whatever his appellation is, or is to be, must of necessity be rather an anomalous one, for I'm sorry to say that while he has a few good features in his character, he has at the same time too many vices to enable me to pronounce him unqualifiedly perfect. True, he has already reached an '* elevated" position, which I believe he intends to maintain. We may feel assured that all his actions will be on the "square," and he will do no business but of a " sound" nature. His voice will never be heard till occasion requires, but he will then insist on being heard and obeyed. He will always prove a friend in the presence of a great enemy. So far, then, his character is good, and has some " ring" about it. Yet, to be truthful, I cannot but describe him as a high-headed, hard-skinned, iron-hearted, hollow, openmouthed, long-tongued, loud-talking, stuck-up piece of goods, and though he has a loud howling voice when he uses it, he is that lifeless and stupid he will always haye to be aroused whei most needed, and in fact will never speak at all unles he's " tolled." I maintain, therefore, that his character is altogether a very strange and contradictory one. The fact is I reckoned him up as soon as I saw his face, and came to the conclusion that he deserved to be " hung'" But I must not say any more about him, or I shall offend his bellship, for although his " temper," I believe, has not yet been fully tried, I happen to know that his " metal" is already v up." So much for the bell himself, and let me hope that whoever goes up that ladder to make him talk will not forget the manhole, and fall through and break his neck. In conclusion, it seems the contractor for building the bell'p house could not do the job without the aid of another big "Bell." This is a fact, and it just shows " Watts" in a name. Old Mumble. |