THE BLIND MAN AND THE PIPER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4591, 7 December 1875, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE BLIND MAN AND THE PIPER.

(From the Border Post.) In the year 1866, John Macdonald, then one of the finest specimens of the Australian digger in the colonies, was rendered blind by the sudden explosion of a charge of powder, whilst employed at the Black Hill, Ballarat. Since then his life has been pregnant of ■vicissitudes, but he managed to get along until in an evil hour he entered into partnership with a piper. It seems that Macdonald was staying at the Highland Chief Hotel, Melbourne, and advertised for a lad to guide him through the interior of the country. Herman Bateman saw the advertisement, and in glowing terms pointed out to the blind man what a “ pile” they could make if both travelled and gave entertainments in the country. This ended in Macdonald, who had spared a little money, purchasing a set of pipes for Herman. Both set out from Melbourne bound for Kiverina. There was an understanding that no music should be played at public houses, but on reaching the Goulbum this stipulation was violated. Norman struck up some favorite reels and strathspeys, and was surrounded by an admiring audience. Cash flowed in freely, and the piper knocked it down like a prince, getting blind drunk in the bargain. Poor Macdonald had no inclination for merriment, and reminded the piper of the terms of the partnership. But Norman drunk and Norman sober were two different persons. Norman drunk, was roysterous,insolent, and abusive. However, partnership was dissolved, but after Norman had seen the folly of quarrelling with his friend, and expressed the loudest contrition, he was forgiven and both proceeded to the Lachlan, when the piper again misconducted himself, and repeated the idiosyncrasies of the Goulbum. The blind man again forgave his erring guide, and matters, though not all that could be desired, stood well enough until reaching the Piney Bange last week. The piper got drunk again, blackguarded the blind man, and took the pipes with him, making towards Walla Walla- The police interfered. Norman was arrested on a charge of stealing the pipes, and brought before Captain Brownrigg, R.M., at Albury, where he was discharged. The pipes were given to the blind man, and the poor fellow was taken to Wodonga in one of the ’busses, from whence he went to Melbourne, with the firm determination of never entering into partnership with a piper, as he believed all the fraternity have a bee in their bonnets. The piper was very sorry, but Macdonald was too well acquainted with that tune as to become inexorable.