A HOLIDAY ADVENTURE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2139, 3 January 1881, Page 3

A HOLIDAY ADVENTURE.

[Communicated.] It was after the entertainment at Papanui, on the evening of New Year's Day. Most of the sports committee were knocked up after their labours, especially poor Mars, who had been almost übiquitous in his operations during that celebrated occasion. Wherefore Mars went home as soon as possible to roost. Arrived at the palatial residence of " four rooms and a lean-to," he prepared himself for the mantle of repose by taking a survey of the back yard—his nightly custom. It was » bright night, and Mars having taken a look round, was about to return, when something caught his eye in the far corner of the fence. It was a suspicious-looking objeot—certainly a human being, and apparently formidable. Being a plucky man, Mars at once retired into the house, got an old starter's pistol, and emerged to confront the suspected foe. Creeping stealthily towards the fence corner, from a side-track, he got within safe shooting distance, say three yards—he's a cruel marksman at that length—and challenged the intruder. Tho occupant of the corner made no reply, but moved slightly, as if thinking of escape. Being further emboldened by this, our friend advanced, with pistol in hand, prepared for the death- struggle; finally made a rush at his enemy, and having clutched him, fell to the ground, holding on like grim death. Presently Mrs Mars came along to see what kept her lord, and by the "lantern dimly burning," discovered him on on the ground struggling manfully with—An "Old Aunt Sally !" whioh had been used on the ground that very day. It was a bigger figure than üßual, and elaborately dressed, and Mars had himself taken it home, and placed it in the corner of his back yard, but subsequently forgot the circumstances. Hence the encounter above narrated. Mrs Mars Bays she will never believe that sports committees drink only soda water by Act of Parliament.