Page 3 Advertisements Column 1

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1926, Page 3

THE TALE OE 32 EARTHINGS

95 Xiuiuiui l ‘XOCIKO'L

A sad blow was dealt to the national savings campaign yesterday, and by a public official too. Four alert Brixton boys had painfully accumulated a little store of farthings. It had not been easy; it took some time and determination, for as a farthing centre Brixton is not so good as might be generally thought. Southwark is Ivetter, it seems, and Berntond-

However, the Brixton boys lind stored no 32 farthings and decided that the time had come for profit-taking. Accordingly they got on an omnibus.

Presently the conductor cavne along and everything seemed to favour the financial operation. He was not one of those curt conductors who say nothing but “Fezpliz!” to a. boy. “ Now. my merry lads,” ho said, cheerily. “ how much?” “ Four tuppenies. please,” answered the hoys’ spokesman and proffered the 32 farthings. The conductor’s countenance fell and his bluff, hearty manner changed. “ Now then, now then,” said ho. “what’s this? I don’t want these.! What d’ye take mo for—a rat’s meat shop?” And the young economists who had no other realisable assets about them had to get out of the omnibus. They stood awKle in thought, and then one with insight suggested trying a tramway-ear. He was right, too, for though the conductor had that faraway look some tramwav-car conductors acquire, yet he took the farthings and only asked his young fares, “On the rocks, aren’t you?”