Storyteller.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 17, 22 July 1893, Page 13

Storyteller.

A WILY SELECTOR. “ Will Honeycomb,” in the Duhbo Dispatch, tells the following story —- Old Bluegum, who has a forty acres selection on Shorthorn’s run, up in the Ranges, was not a persona grata with either the sqhatter or the police. As a consequence, he w r as so keenly watched by Shorthorn, and so regularly visited by the solitary trooper, who represented law and order in the locality, that whenever Blueguxn’s harness cask wanted replenishing, and there was a bullock in the killing yard, that “ trap ” was sure to arrive, just promiscuously, as they say in that part of the country. The trooper prided himself on being a dead shot with the rifle, and was very vain of his prowess. One day he arrived at Bluegum’s, and he looked suspiciously at the two bullocks which were in the yard. Just, as he was about to examine them Bluegum came upon the scene. “ Going to kill ?” asked the trooper. “Yes, sergeant,” replied Bluegum, who knew that his visitor was only a senior constable,, but had sufficient knowledge of human nature to be aware that the subtlest flattery you can offer a policeman or a soldier, is to lead him to believe that you think he is of superior rank. - “And,” continued Bluegum, “as you’re the crack shot of these parts, just bring one .of the bullocks down with your rifle.” The policeman asked which one, and receiving ,no answer, for the selector pretended not to hear him, thought the biggest and fattest; —a fine roan, 800 weight if-a pound —was the one. He fired, and down fell the bullock, dead as Julius Caesar or any other hero, who has been buried for 100 years or so. As the beast dropped, Biuegum yelled out, “Hot that one;” but it was too late. '‘Why, what’s the matter ?’’ said her Majesty’s representative, “ Matter,” replied the, selector; “Why, you have gone and shot a bullock of Woolbales. We’ll both be lagged to a certainty.” But that case never came before the court. The trooper helped' to skin the bullock, and afterwards assisted to eat it. In fact, since that day, Bluegum has not been looked upon as one of the dangerous classes by the police, and when WoOlbale mentions his suspicions, to the trooper, the latter laughs them off, and hints that after all the devil is not as black'as We is painted.