Okaramio.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 45, 1 July 1890, Page 2

Okaramio.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

I have not much news to report, business and everything else being quiet—no improvement in the timber trade, orders scarce, and prices low. Mr C. Inman is displaying a little enterprise in the way of opening up a new industry, he has gone to Nelson with one ton of mineral as a test sample, for making paint. We can but wish the above-named every success ’with his undertaking, as it will employ a number of hands if it turns out all right. I hope to be able to give a full report of this undertaking in my next. The la grippe is still in our midst. I fell across my old friend Mrs Grundy this morning, she was full of news intermingled with trouble; she informed me that she had been very bad with the gripp, and said, Mr Reporter, let me tell you that when I came to live here, I thought I had got into a Christian country, and amongst kind neighbours. I have just been at Death’s door, and, to tell you the truth, not a soul camo near me. It

was very hard for an old woman of 70, and, what made matters still worse, no less than three Ministers of the Gospel passed my very door, but never came near to offer up a word of prayer. I thought, well, they must think that poor old Mrs Grundy has no soul, or no desire to go to a better place. Well, Sir, I was no sooner reported well than six of my neighbours dropped in to see me. Well, thought I, this is strange, so to set their little flappers going, I, like a good Christian woman, gave them a drop of the crater, and made them afternoon tea, and when I explained how bad I had been, some of the tender-hearted ones tried to shed tears, and all wished they had known I had been so bad, and what they would have done for me. But, Sir, this old woman has seen too much of the milk of human kindness with the cream taken off. Of course, I must not tell you all that was said that afternoon, but I will say this, every bit of scandal was on the board, and we attended to everybody’s business but our own. Of course, it was the small drop of crater that did it. But, wait a bit, Sir, I attended divine service the other Sunday evening at the school-room. Yes, and the first time for over ten years, two Ministers were present, but the younger one conducted the service. I took them both to be good Christian men. We had only eight candles amongst fifty people, and they were stuck into small pieces of wood about four inches square, and mine, being a small piece of candle, burnt down to the wood, and set it on fire. In never was in such a fix, it burnt my fingers, and my heart went pitter-patter, and I puffed and blowed until all the wind was out of my body to get the thing out, in fact, my, life was in danger. The good lady that plays the organ was almost, in the same fix, and she reminded me of one of the foolish Virgin when her oil was done. We had to sing a hymn called “ The Wandering Sheep,” and we did wander. I was singing the wrong verse and put them all out of time and tune, we got all mixed up, and now Mr Reporter I do not intend going to service again until they get some good lamps. lam only a poor old woman, but if you come round with a subscription list my half-crown is ready, and the person who will not give to a good object like this ought to sit in darkness all their lives.

I must also tell you that the ladies are talking about getting up a coffee supper and musical entertainment for replenishing the Sunday school library. Now this is a good object, and the ladies may count on Mrs Grundy’s assistance, but we must all pull one way, I mean the right then it will be a success. I know it is hard to get the ladies to go hand in hand, but if they will only leave the helm to Mrs Peace all will go well. Now, get these things on the way, Mr Reporter, then I will give you some more news. Okaramio, June 27,1890.