THE RIVAL BUSMEN.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 91, 17 July 1908, Page 5

THE RIVAL BUSMEN.

[By " Hangatiki Poet."]

I went to Te Awamutu by the Royal Mail Express, And the flanges screamed against the curves like a wild pig in distress : And the engine puffed and snorted, like the Hangatiki band, And there were bottles everywhere—l guess you'll understand. Banana skins and orange peel were lying on the floor, And broken corks and paper bags were piled against the door. But this was nothing to the mortals that were sitting round about, A menagerie, it seemed to me, must have busted out. There were sick men old and lcary, Eyes all black and bleary, Voices thick with beer, And the babble as they stuttered, And the curses as they muttered, Was an awful painful thing to hear. We stopped at several stations, and then with whistle shrill The train slipped into Te Awamutu, panted, and stood still. I looked along the platform and saw a man get out, And instantly two busmen had circled him about. They seized his arm with frantic grip and roared in either ear, While the poor man did vibrate with passion and with fear. For each busman wanted him to travel as his fare, And so with angry hate they at each other glare. Now busman No. 2 did hiss, " Hey Mister, come with me," And tugged and twisted at his arm and kicked him on his knee. Then busman No. I did growl and pull the other way, Until the object of dispute was howling in dismay. And then with cruel, sickly tear the victim's arm came out, Aud busman No. 2 let off a most exulting shout. He took the arm and threw it in his waiting omnibus, And then rushed back to rave, to quarrel, and to cuss. The poor old victim bowed and said " Oh Lord, Thy will be done," And then his other arm came off as fare for No. I. Then each one seized a leg and split him right in two, And each busman took a half and to his bus withdrew. Then these two rivals seized their reins and drove towards the town, Each satisfied that he had done a deed of great renown.