A DESPERATE UNDERTAKING.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1022, 16 April 1883, Page 2

A DESPERATE UNDERTAKING.

(Fim, 21st Februaiy.) It was the midnight which- followed Wednesday, February 7th. A laden vessel arrived in the docks. Cautiously, and glancing hurriedly on every, side as if in deadly apprehension, the reporter crept to the vessel’s side and scribbled hastily in his notebook : “ The steamship Sorrento, from New Zealand, with a cargo .” Then the reporter fled hastily towards the swift steed that waited for him round the corner, for he was pursued by a muffled figure with a blue apron, wielding a long knife. . . The unhappy reporter has not been heard of since. But somehow the tidings of truth sped on ; for, seated in his most secluded chamber, and . protected by his most heavily-barred door, the editor nervously penned the glad report for press. Yes, the editor himself ; for none other on the paper dared to face the dangerous task. The writing ran thus :—“ The steamship Sorrento, from New Zealand, with a cargo of fro Then he looked up nervously, for a swift chopper was hewing its way through the wall, and in another instant he was confronted by a figure with a dark blue serge apron, light blue cotton sleeves, and a gleaming knife. . . All sub- . sequent inquiries' for the unfortunate editor , have proved vain. Yet the truth crept on. Under the cover of darkness, in the highest and most inac--1 cessible composing-room, a daring compositor ! was apprehensively setting up type. He had 1 already set up the words : —“ The steamship ■ Sorrento, from New Zealand, with a cargo of ' frozen ——” when the figure with the dark i blue serge apron, light blue cotton sleeves, j sharpening steel, and gleaming knife, stood behind him. . . The report as to the missing compositor having gone on a visit to his | aunt at the Malstrom is feared to be without 1 foundation.' > Still the good news sped on its way. The ! newsboy cautiously hurried along, ever and, • anon glancing to right and left in anxiety.- ■ His face was pale, yet he nobly sought to , fulfil his duty. Warily he unveiled to the gentle reader a paragraph in the newspaper. I It ran thus : —'“ The steamship Sorrento, from , New Zealand, with a cargo of frozen mu—— But the figure with the dark blue apron, light blue sleeves, sharpening steel hung from , a leather thong, hatchet, and gleaming knife, stood behind him, . . No hope of recover--1 ing the newsboy is entertained. Yet the message sped on until it reached the right hands. And here it is “ The steamship Sorrento, from New Zealand, with a car-go of frozen'mutton amounting to 5838 carcases; arrived in London on Wednesday, 7th February. The average rate at which the meat was purchased by the I butchers was 7fd per lb.” * But come —aha ! —let the figure in the blue apron come and do his worst 1 We have told it, and we are prepared to die in (he execution of our duty. And this is what the newspaper (which seems equally devoted with ourself) says about it:—“ The. general consumer is not likely, therefore, to benefit in the slightest degree by this welcome shipment ; but ho will gain indirectly, since every successful arrival of frozen meat from the antipodes brings nearer the day when he 1 will bo able to purchase it direct, and free from the intervention of. the übiquitous middleman.” Ah, yes! letushopcso. Meanwhile you—you needn’t, don’t you know—tell the übiquitous middleman—unless he asks you—that we helped to circulate the news. He’s a powerful person, and there’s no knowing what awful punishment on us the “ Custom of the. Trade ” may legalise.