Flotsam and Jetsam.

Manawatu Herald, 28 July 1892, Page 3

Flotsam and Jetsam.

(By Motditi.)

Some time ago I was walking along the whari I met an old ac quaintance— he is a "flax hand" now, I believe— who had apparently befln having what ia known hereabouts as -" a good time" He was wearing •' a lovely pair of 1 lack eyes," one of the'ra quite closed, his hat very .much oh the hack of his beadj co^t torn ago >d deal ; it was clear,: in fact, that) he had been enjoying himself. " Hello !" said I ; * what's the matter ? " ' 'Oh nothing," said he, pleasantly; " only I was. assaulted' list night. That's all.!' " Come with me at once," exclaimed I (in my innocence), "to "Mr Thynne or Gillespie, and we will hftve your grievances put to rights in a jiffy." But he said that neither the magi 8 1 ate nor the constable cared one straw for his grievances, which' I had to admit wag probably tr ue— and that, he did not care two strap? for the pair of them, which-J tried- to explain to him was unchristian. Then be added that his little adventure had only coat him a lump not bigger than a pigeon's egg on the back of his head, a tora coat, * the loss (temporary) of one eye, and a few other inoonveniences not worth mentioning— bo that it was a mere trifle after all. " The loss of an eye a mere trifle ," I exclaimed in astonishment. " Just so," he continued with. a smile; "besides, you knowlam not on thelook out for a wife just now ; and even if I were," he went on reflectinely, — "even if 1 were, I suppose I would have to shut the other eye as well, if I wanted to get a good one. Wise jnen' always do that." Seeing it was useless just .then to reason with a. man * who could entertain' suchi heathenish opinions, I gave it up Badly and lent him at his request a shilling. I have not seen him since.

'It is a. long time now since I have given up wondering inuoh at anytHfSg, But of late I have not been oblQ.to.help wondering just a little how it comes , to puss 'hat there are bo many '.y loafers " hanging around in our little country towns and villages, "I don't refer now to the ordinary oomnion Iqm " tavern N loafer," but to <juite a different class. The ordinary, tavern loafer, I confess, I ratHer lilfe —as', a study of human nature. He is suoh a confirmed, uribhisliing, Hopeless blackguard.' Be doesn't work"; he doesh'fc want work ;he had" a quarrel with; & long-haiidled-shovel long ago/ "and a good jab ijpQt*' hie will tell you.; He isW sroudr $ -asfc Jiim "to drink, he drinks: If you don't ask him,, : ]ie/ chews cheap tobacco "arid curadg ''humanity " at large," like the Scotmiman. He doesn't seem to live anywhere in particular, but he may ttlways be found sticking, like an overgrown shoro- going barnacle, to the tar of some public house, or leaitftig -against the lamp-post or horse-trough outside, waiting for gqinF 'brie to shout. If the archarrg»lwere to sound with his trump ♦'the* crack of doom" to-morrow and .the elements were melting under thjf'fiejy blast i., this loafer would be f ojtpfc quietly, leaning against the la3t post standing, still waiting for Bomebddy to shout. But it is not this class of loafer I refer to* now — quite a different gentleman indeed ; aod he-deserves a •• par " all to binv BeJtf. dl 'iNext.week he may be satisfied " :

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«i A DRINK FOR THE GODS," so saith' the great Prophet— Mahomet, when taking nis'cup of coffee under the fig trees. ]f you would- enjoy such, drink Crease's A 1 Coffee. Sold only in 1 and 21b tinß.