The Reason Why.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 91

The Reason Why.

He held his •elbows pressed close to his •sides, his open hands were stretched out straight in front of him, and he was regarding them intently. The conductor stopped the car for him, und, as he watched him ascend the steps carefully, he wondered why some people had to suffer so in this world. By-and-bye he went up for the fares. "'Sc-use me, old chap," said the man with •the oitstretched hands, "sorry to bother you, but you might take your fares out •of my ticket pocket, will you?" Sorrowfully the conductor did so. "Thanks," said the passenger; "you're a •good sort. I say, I wonder if you'd do me another good turn? There's 'baccy and ■cigarette papers in my pocket,, and I'm pininsr for a- smoke. Would you mind doing the needful?" The soft-hearted conductor complied. '"Must be an awful affliction," he said, as lie rolled the cigarette. "How do you undress at nights?" "Eh? Oh, like everyone else, of course!" "Oh, nothing to do with me, of course: but do you have to get people to feed you? And then about blowing your nose? My .word, but it must be awful. Had it from ibirth?" "Have I had what from birth?" ""Your infirmity." "What infirmity? I'm not infirm." "But what's the matter with your arms? "Sou don't mean to say that you've been making a. fool of me—that you can use ■*em?" "Of course I can vise 'em, though Ive no doubt my holding 'em like this strikes -yon as peculiar. But to tell the truth, my wife asked' me to get a box exactly this size, and I daren't move 'em till I've got it. t s right, make a blackguard of yourself, if you like. "Whatever you say -can t be worse than what my wife would say v I 'brought ihe wrong size."