HE WOULD SPEAK.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2463, 9 February 1881, Page 4

HE WOULD SPEAK.

The other night, when a certain club had gathered in its hall, a member announced the serious illness of one of the officials. A second member at once moved to the platform and said : “ Gentlemen, —No one can regret this sad news more than I do. It seems to me that the occasion calls for a few remarks expressive of sympathy and condolence. I do not wish to occupy your valuable time, but I feel it a duty to say of the ailing brother .” Here a member came up stairs and announced that the person was dead. He had just heard the news on the street. “ Yery well, then,” continued tht speaker, “ remarks eulogistic of his many virtues are certainly in order after this announcement, and I can go ahead without fear of transgressing upon the time of the club. We all knew the deceased. We were all familiar with his many noble traits of character. A brother has died, and a king has fallen. It will be long ere we ” Here another dilatory member put in an appearance and announced that the person referred to was not dead or even ill. but was in perfect health. Without the least change of countenance the speaker continued : —“ That being the case, I deem it my duty to indulge in a few remarks on the happiness we all must feel at knowing that our dear brother still lives. Life is but a span, and man cometh up like a flower and is cut down. The familiar faces beside us to-day may rest in the grave to morrow. Death comes so silently and swiftly that tered the hall, having been detained beyond his usual time by some occurrence on the street. The speaker didn’t seem in the least put out, but waved his hand around the room and said “ I certainly am not trespassing on the valuable time of the club when I say that we all rejoice to see our brother here. I am now more than ever convinced that I should indulge in a few remarks. I will go back to the beginning, and ” But the club rose as one man and choked him oft’, and the meetng opened for the despatch of business. “ American Traveller.”