VARIETIES.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2229, 10 May 1880, Page 3

VARIETIES.

A Gentleman. —An American strolled into an. English commercial inn, such as is reserved'for commercial travellers or “drummers ” only. The parlors of such inns arc patented to this nomadic class. The American found the parlor empty and sat down in it and ordered a glass. In a few minutes a man entered, tipped his head, and said curtly ;' “ What line?”

“ Line p” inquired the American, “ I don’t understand you.” The man stared at our friend an instant and exclaimed, with a countenance between resentment and awe : “ I heg pardon! But you are a gentleman !”

“ I hope I am,” replied the American “Here, here! Landlord landlord, I say ! Turn this person out! He’s a Gentleman ! A Maine skipper pointed out to an ancient darkey, whoso trick it was at the helm, a certain star to steer by. In luffing to meet a squall .that came up rather savagely, the old darkey lost sight of his star. lie hurriedly aroused the skipper, shouting, “Gimme anodcr star, capting ; I’se sailed past that first one! ” They arc telling, in London, a story of a well-known stock-jobber, who gave his wine merchant an order, irrespective of price, to get him some 1820 port wine. At a late country banker’s sale, some sold for 2'l guineas a dozen, . The stock-jobber forgot that he had given the wine merchant the order, and scut his confidential clerk to represent him. The two bid against each . other; the clerk gave in at last, and the wine was knocked down to the wine merchant, who told thcjjjohber, on delivering it, that he could have bought it for half the price if some fellow hadn’t run him up.