REPLY TO "W.B.S." VIEWS ON NOLICENSE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 192, 20 September 1909, Page 2

REPLY TO "W. 8.5." VIEWS ON NOLICENSE.

By H.l'.

The wind blew o'er my house with surly sound; The roof iron rattled, and tins rolled round. No rain-drops fell from Heaven, tbo' the night With wind was weird, and the starry light, Together with the moon, cart shadows strange. I left rny bed. Away upon the range, Like rotten fangs with dirty whisky stained, The charred trees stood, by tempest torn and maimed. It was a night when spirits love to lurk, And all one's vilest passions set to work. 'Twas this had led me forth: for I had heard That sometimes on the bill, when wild winds stirred The matted scrub, a bottle had been seen, Which sparkled 'mong the growth of waving green. And some had told me if I could but taste Its soothing contents, I should straight be placed .On level with the Gods. I scarcely thought, That I should find the prize so many sought. My virtue languished 'neath the wicked light: My itching throat seduced me from the right:. My lust for liquor throbbed in every vein, And 'neath its yearing conscience ceased to pain. With eager step and parched out-hang-ing tongue, I forced my way the tangled growth among. Torn, bleeding, footsore, and with bloodshot-eyes, I sat to rest upon a little rise, Lo! There before me in a fairy dell rti3 long sought bottle lay. and cast its spell, With sickening soothing o'er my helpless soul, And rung its knell with sad and mournful roll. Ye Gods: I struggled! but old Satan brought A copy of a paper he had bought And held it fore my eyes. When I looked hard I saw a letter by Te Kuiti's Bard. And, as I read, new light began to break. * "This Bard wants liquor for the .Maoris' sake." 'Twas thus I spoke, and Satan said, "Tis well, We value much this article in Hell: And pleased I am, in Kuiti town to find, A man whose writing so reflects my mind." Decided now, I took old Satan's arm: "W. 8." assured there was no harm. | And thus we walked to where the bot- j tie lay, With light resplendent on a bed of clay. I drew the cork and tilted up the neck, But ere I drank there came a sudden check. An angel floated down from Heaven's dome. In terror wild old Satan f'ew for horr.e: But tho' with horror ai ike < kners. He risk<vi hi.- life the article to seize. Deeming, i; 0 douhi the letter of a" r < worth As .showi.- : ;/ !".'.• w his cause was loved on earth. 5 The an^'f ■'■ v.v-;.r. My hands grew limp i and dead. ; 1 The bottle fell, and I awoke in bed! j 1