SERVANT-GAL-ISM.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 75, 29 March 1880, Page 4

SERVANT-GAL-ISM.

«• Asmodeuß " in the New Zealand Mail writes ; as follows : — Yet another instance of eervant-gal-iam. My horsey chum would say sbe was " an upstanding filly '■' of rakish appearance, and as her mistress — or, I beg her pardon, as the person whom she condescended to help, Baid — she swept through (he house as though it belonged (o her. Sbe was in fact, overpowering in more senses than . one, and' her presence .filled that domicile. Now, I am a proper BobemiaD, and whilst I confess to the tastes peculiar to that much vilified class, amongst other weaknesses a partiality for skilfullyprepared "blends," my occupation occasionally wafts me to five o'clock drum?. It was at one of these that my hoßteßB l a lady rather small for her age, thus poured her troubles relative to her irrepxeesi.blejbelp, into nay, sympathetic ear : " Dear^l^r- Asmpdeuß, you. know everything, and yet I don't think you quite understand, what I have suffered from that wornao.^ In vain I tried to establish authority over her. You should bave seen her look of dignified astonishment when I ventured to complain of diriy ; plates and balf-clfeaned knives,; and I am free, to confess that at last I really stood Tin awe of lier. My poor Tom, who, ybu know is a nervous creature, was even worse than., mjself, and one 1 day so far forgot, himself as to address her her as * Maam.' I wanted to give her warning, but was really afraid to, and goodness knows wbatj might have happened,, lor 1 :began to thick that my place was the kitchen, hera the parlor, when -luckily the last straw was put on, and weTgave way I One7P i o rn i D g she got up and; having lit the kitchen fire, sent flp ; ;her u oomplimeQtß ; , by , cay little Maod,o^ho ,will not stay in bed after dayligM, l that she was" much iodis■po]ieia^rio f a;^ oinjaßt:.;'g(o.,.''l;p0 injaBt : .;'g(o.,.''l;p \bed J again. Fan'c^ j WbaVii* state '.^e^were !in, t I rushed down ( t^ f getbrqak.faat, found all last night's tea things dirty,., and the kettle empty^ on the^fire.^ Bear Tom, aB-ueuai, made himself useful—we enquired after her health. Would she have some medicine ? Not she. And fioi'we -got pur breaKfast; I r cleared, away and washed up, and was on the point of sending Tom for the doctor, when her ladyship appeared, declared she was much better, and that she would take a little breakfast if I'd make her a cup of tea. -This, MrAsmodeus, was more than we could bear, and at our united and earnest request — you know,myTom, he would not hurt a fly — she consented to accept * a week in advance/ and leave the house, but Dot without a reference. We dared not refuse her that."

JVetus). When the train came in, the constables on duty formed an opening through the crowd opposite the entrance, so that there should be no hitch or stoppage of any kind, and it was naturally expected that the Pastor would avail himself of this lane. It happened, however, that the carriage which he occupied was not guile close to the place, and co the Pastor and those wbo were with him pushed through the crowd> passed out into the passage, and had entered a cab and were being driven off while the majority, of those present were awaiting bis appearance. At this stage, the Rev. Father Larkin, wbo bad travelled in the same carriage, came through the opening, and the impression became general amongst those to whom tbe genial priest was not known that he was Pastor Cbiniquy. Any doubt that might have been felt on the point was removed by a railway official, who took in the situation at a glance and wickedly whispered, loud enough to be heard by those around, " That's the man." And thus it happened that many people left the station without seeing tbe object of their curiosity.. It is said that when the circumstance waß mentioned to Father Larkin he fully appreciated the joke, goodhumouredly remarking, " You see what a fine presence does."