CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 21, 23 June 1885, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

A GRIM JOKE. . T ) THE EDITOR Oit' THE STAND* III) Sir, — This is the way thoy se . . him. Solomon Abrahauiß wr. i a Coup cillor bold, and Solomon Abrali ::i : was sore troubled ; he was ! and st-ll is .sick and faint-heart, and ten : ot hus followConncillors, mighty men m argument, and jocular with all, descended from their pedestal and exalted him — even him. — Aye ! like Haman of old, they exalted him — " forty cubits higli." They had no pity for th© "thing at the end of a string, and there he dangled, whilst amongst themselves they enjoyed the grim joke. The stationery man held the string, whilst thus they delivered themselves : — " Our attention has been directed m an article winch appeared m the Manawatu Standard of the 20th inst., the writer of which is evidently trying to mislead the public. In the article referred to the writer is trying to make the public believe that tbe majority of the Councillors did not approve Cr Abrahams' action m opposing the payment of an account sent m by Mr Hawkins. For the information of the public, we, the undersigned Councillors wish to state that we did approve of the action taken by Cr Abrahams, m opposing the passing of the account referred to." At this juncture an unnamed witness of the ghastly joke ejaculated "which account?," i and a strange sepulchral echo answered, "Park's !" — At this the patient at the end of the string struggled violently, but alas ! m vain; for the whole conclave m one | burst of playful mirth struck up the wellknown yankee serenade, "We'll hang little Sol on a sour apple tree," and the crowd took up the refrain merrily. As an oyo- witness to the jovial .scene I noticed some strange lacial 'ionfortioiiK by the holder o: the string, but by this time m the distance might be seen approaching the peace officer of the district, and a general stampede was at once ' commenced, not however before, the ringleader of tho jovial party had shouted the words, "Cut him down, Mungo, cut him down, seven pounds and seven pence is your reward, tako it without scruple and do your duty ;" and\straightway bo- : tore the guardian of the peace abovenamed arrived on the scene, the patient was released from his perilous position, and the jovial crowd of Councillors re tired off the pedestal hastily, and have not ceased their hilarity since. The Jack Ketch of the party has remained a prey to the direst qualms of conscience ever since the episode, but has no; apologized, so ha says. The patient, however, it is; hoped may recover, as is the earnest wish/ of yours &c., „. Gr. F. Hawkins.