A BARBER INCOG.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2657, 26 September 1881, Page 2

A BARBER INCOG.

SECOND EDITION

The San Francisco “ News Letter ’ is responsible for the following little story : —’“Mr John Hoesch of the Health Office, is seldom taken in by outward appearances, although nothing stronger than tea is ever taken in by him inwardly, but he got sold so badly lately that the event is worth recording. A distinguished ■ looking gentleman walked into the Health Office recently carrying an ulster, a valise, a pet dog, two umbrellas, and the smallpox. He was magnificently dressed in the best baggy English style, and the pink of perfection from his side*whiskers down to his watch-chain, studs and flac-bot-tomerl shoes. * I believe there’s some awfully beastly thing the matter with me, by Jove,,’ he remarked, ‘and the fellows at my hotel told me you know (o come here and enquire about it.’ Mr Hoesch bowed very low, for he felt he was in the presence of a true British swell. ‘ Pardon me, my Lord,’ he said : ‘ Excuse me, your Grace, but it is my sad duty to inform you that you are suffering from smallpox, I will telephone for the ambulance, ray Lord, at once;’ With many apologies for the scanty accommodation, his Lordship was put in the outhouse until the ambulance came, and remarking to Hoesch that he was ‘ wather a jolly sort of fellow,’ he entered it, Mr Hoesch assuring him that his valet and effects would be sent out to him from the Palace Hotel. But it was rather annoying next day to find that the illustrious personage was a New Zealand barber, and that having the disease very slightly, he was engaged in shaving all the other patients at two bPs a head. A fact.” Query—could this have been the lamented George North ?