Sign of the Three Balls.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1635, 15 February 1886, Page 4

Sign of the Three Balls.

A significant and highly suggestive emblem was affixed during Saturday night m front of- the premises of a resident of the Square. The emblem con sisted of three well-grown Swede turnips, ' which were hung m the peculiar form suggestive of the " three golden balls " which traditionally comprise the sign of "my uncle." Above the emblem was an incription m bold hand setting forth the municipal position, residence, and calling of the person upon whom honour was thus sought to be conferred. Many Sunday afternoon strollers stopped to ad mire the sample of garden produce, and to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the inscription attached thereto. Some thontrht a horticultural show was being held inside, others that another greengrocer had started m business, while one more expressive and erudite than his fellows profimely exclaimed, "By the Holy Moses, here's the bloomin' pop-shop." What the proprietor's feelings were when he arrived on the scene, and saw how his good name, fame and reputation had been degraded, deponent sayeth not. The incident caused much mirth, as one after another strolled up and having first examined the " neeps " proceeded to read where they were grown, their market price, and all about them. A smile illumined the features of most of them, as having aatisfied their curiosity they resumed their Sunday afternoon occupation of ' l doing the Square." The vegetables and the inscription were not to be seen today, though a good many went to look, having heard tlie news from others.