A SMART CHILD.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 502, 24 March 1880, Page 2

A SMART CHILD.

Tub following sample of the smartness of colonial children as a whole, ami Timaru children in particular, we can vouch for, A gentleman, whom we will call Mr A., was taking a constitutional walk along one of the suburban roads of this town the other day, when ho noticed a girl about ten years old ahead of him. On overtaking her he found she was examining the ground very carefully, and crying as if her poor little heart would break. Being of a sympathetic nature, he enquired the cause of her distress. “ I—l—l’ve 101-01-ost a shil-il-lil-ling,” she sobbed, “ and muth-thuth-thuther will whip mo when-eu I ge-get homed’ “ Uh, is that all,” exclaimed the gentleman ; “ well, here’s another shilling, now you’re all right,” and, without waiting for thanks, passed on. A few moments afterwards he was overtaken by his friend 13., who immediately informed him he had been acting the good Samaritan. “ How’s that ?” asked A. “ Why, I came across a youngster who had lost a shilling and was afraid to go home because her mother , would whack her, so 1 gave her ha!f-a-' crown to balance her cash.’ “ The dnece you did,” replied A. “ Well you were an ass. Why I've just advanced her a shilling on the same account.” Then you are as big a fool as me,” exclaimed IS. “ I vote we go and hunt her up.” “No Tin hanged if I do” ejaculated A. “That child deserves to live. .She ought to have been a he, and then she would have made a tirst-class bank clerk or laywer, or some other business man. By Jove next time I meet her I’m lunged if I don't give her another shilling for her smaitness,” Bv

did not see the matter in the same light as his friend, and at first threatened to follow the child ; then to acquaint the police; afterwards to write to the papers, and finally, but not least wisely, to go home to dinner and think over it. The trick played by the child was undoubtedly a •cunning one, and, as far as oik knowledge goes, almost, if not quite, an original one. —Tiinaru Herald.