A STUMP ORATOR.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 300, 27 December 1878, Page 4

A STUMP ORATOR.

"Feller citizens," said he, "I'm a hard-fisted eon of (oil. I'm a bricklayer by trade, and not a bit ashamed of it. No, sir; I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth, or cradled in tbe lap of luxury. I'm a self-made man, gentlemen." " You'd belter have let out the job,*' remaiked a voice in the rear of the hall. He scorned to notice the interruption, but proceeded. " Yes, feller citizens, I'm proud of having risen by honest industry, proud of eppearin' to solicit your suffrage as a true repiesentotive of labcr ; as one of which hae contributed to build up this community by tbe sweat of his brow and the work of his hands. (Applausp.) I've worked to raise more than half the palatial mansions, magnificent commercial structures and heaven-pointing spires which beautify end adorn oar town. (Great enthusiasm.) And here, right here, gentlemen, are the identical tools with which I have carved out my way to prosperity." Here ibe orator displayed a trowel and hammer amid deafening plaudits. ■" Pass 'em this way," said an exciied listener, evidently belonging to the working class ; let me gtze onto them relics." Tbe tools were handed to him, and he scrutinized tbem witb deep interest. "You say you work as a bricklayer ? " said he, turning sharply to the orator. "Yes." " Aud with them tools ? " " Yes eir ; these are the very tools I bought when I made my first start as a journeyman. To them I owe my prosperity." " Weli, then, I must say you deserve great credit. So doeß any man who could lay bricks with such weapons. Gentlemen ." (urning to tbe audience, "just look at 'em. It's a gardener's trowel and a carpenter's hammer ! "