CHRISTENING UNDER DIFFICULTIES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 164, 12 July 1881, Page 4

CHRISTENING UNDER DIFFICULTIES.

A good story comes from tlie other side. A respectable coupls (station hands) somewhere in the interior of N. South Wales, had raised a large family, but as their location was in a very out of the way part ofthe district they had never had a visit from a clergyman, and, consequently, no opportunity of having the children christened. At length the Rev. Mr. made his appearance at the out-station, and great was ths consternation amongst the young folks when they heard that they were to undergo the process of christening. Most of the inaugural ceremonies in this world of woe with which they were familiar had been of a painful character. The girl had often handed the branding iron to her father, and seen the hides of the little calves frizzle. She had held the tender lambkins when their tails were amputated. The terrors of the stockyard now acquired a new significance. The operator, however, having arrived, the head oT the family insisted on the business being gone through. The mustering was no easy matter, but at length all were rounded up. The eldest boy was the first to submit to the ordeal, which he did philosophically, remarking subsequently to the head stockman that it was all "rot." When it came to the eldest girl's turn she was nowhere to be found. At length her feet were observed sticking out from the big bush chimney, from which position she resolutely declined to budge. A stockman present suggested "leg-rop-ing " her. The hint was at once taken, the girl's feet were lassoed by her brother, and she was pulled down and put through, her brother offering to sit on her head if necessary.