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Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 43, 9 March 1878, Page 3

* Efere is a, pathetic story which appeai-3 to 'be told m- good faith, concerning MrWillkim Black, the- novelist. While staying at Qbau, lost snintnej^ ho^felfc inclined !for a swim one . n>orning f and selecting the quietest nook lie could find along the beach, lie laid his clothes carefully under a rock, jandi proceeded, to enjoy his sea bath. : Presently, a young lady witli one of his: Own novels uv liand,, came walking along the beach, andi absorbed, and. unconscious, sat herself down close by the, unseen- garments.. Poor. William Black' did not know, what to '■ do. He made a. npise witli the water, . bobbed up and dbwn, and toned by every modest means m his power to indicate that •he was m the -vicinity, and: not iv full dress. Be was a-liamed to stand up andsshouti and 1 hardly, ventured, indeed to show more ; than, the top, of. his head.. So absorbing, however, was his own story that he could not attract attention. He had nevier before 1 wished that his literary jjovvot was. less, but iattihat moment- his fondest hope. was. that ihq had writte.niat least one-dull; chapter m That isi'sh became an inspira- ■ taon^aj) ambition), a desire begot m agony, when presently there aame along that way a short-sighted) sportsman carrying a guii, . who. seeing something stiungely acting m. the water near at- hand, thought it must be {tame of some kind or oilier, and present el ! His gun to shoot ._ Mr Biack oauld not stand 'this; Forgetting the l;idy with one of his own novels m hand, he start la -1 both belaud, tho sp/>itsman, a3 uinginj* himself bolt : upright, ha lifted his arm* abova his head, and, 'cried, with pathetic rapidity, "Bray don't shoot : please "don't shoot! I'm a man ! Fmamin .'.l'in a man !" The lady by the sea. shore took the hint and disappeared..