AN AGITATOR NONPLUSSED.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2068, 9 October 1880, Page 2

AN AGITATOR NONPLUSSED.

The ordinary agitator is an individual who dislikes above everything to bo taken up too sharply. He is quite ready to die for his follow creautures, but is not at all willing to work for himself or his family. He is a microcosm of the political agitator whom the i. iberal party love so dearly, and whose vague generalities so pleasantly titivate the throat of tho orator as they roll forth in sonorous and well polished periods. The following episode in the life of au agitator is not without its moral. In Auckland the other day, a certain Garrard mounted the stump. He was the working man’s friend to the tips of his fingers; he had a carpet bag filled with papers, and was in excellent voice. Indeed, he was perfectly happy. But, alas, for the uncertainty of all human events ! Among his audience were certain employers of labour. . One of them on the spot offered to find him profitable employment. Garrard was staggered, but recovered himself. “He was not going,” he said, “ to w ork up to his neck in water for ninepence an hour.” “ But,” exclaimed his tormentor, “ I don’t want you to do anything of the sort. I will give yon three days’ work in my garden at 6s a day.” While Garrard was endeavouring to find an excuse, another employer said that when that job was finished he would give him another. Immediately our friend the agitator remembered that he had au important appointment in another part of the town, vacated his stump and left tho field to his persecutors. We have seen amongst us men of a similar kidney to Garrard, but the working man of Canterbury, at all events, has, we fancy, taken their measure. Their occupation has long ago departed. The writing of anonymous and bloodthirsty letters to city dignitaries is perchance a last resource of gentlemen, who, if they cannot exercise their role in public, unable to resist the temptation of waving the red flag under cover of a penny stamp and a false handwriting.