“It Was the Gat!” (H.M.S. Pinafore).

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 923, 5 March 1881, Page 4

“It Was the Gat!” (H.M.S. Pinafore).

Some irrepressible practical joker played off a trick upon the Editor of our contemporary, the other morning. The funny one procured two cats, and put them in a sugar mat, the mouth of which was carefully sewn up. The “ inimitable Snyder!” was just entering his office when he noticed the parcel, which had been carefully placed against the editorial door, and stooped down to examine the address attached. Being somewhat short-sighted, be had to put his rubicund cornucopia somewhat close, when suddenly—“ sphit, sphit,” and a claw, of anything but velvet, was protruded, and for a moment, it seemed that the ornament of his sunset-like countenance would have been disfigured. (Could it be ? — Printer’s D.) He could not for the life of him make out what was the matter. There was his name written in bold letters, but what the mysterious bag contained, he could not tell. However, being one of those who are, as Shakespeare has it, “ Of good round belly with fat capon lined,” and seeing visions of some cheap and yet toothsome present, he determined to investigate. Carefully taking it into his office, he cautiously proceeded to open the mysterious hamper — and then behold, a la Pinafore, “It was a cat!” No, no, we are wrong, there were two cats, which immediately clung to their benefactor, as if to thank him for their release. For one brief moment he fondly imagined they were rabbits, but by a tremendous mental effort and a strong exercise of vision, he saw they had long tails and short ears, whereas rabbits are just vice versa. Such presents as these, we are credibly informed, he in future will decline to receive, and will, for some time to come, regard with suspicion, if sent to him ; a brace of pheasants, a pair of ducks, or in fact, anything in the shape of eating. Of the other thing he will take his chance. There was no maiden in despair on the occasion, as before stated.