Not a Patriot.

Te Aroha News, Volume 1, Issue 47, 26 April 1884, Page 5

Not a Patriot.

"Is patriotism a crime?" sternly demanded Charles Barnaby, as he looked his Honor in the eye. "Well, that depends." " I have been incarcerated in these dungeons for defending the fair name of my country ?" " As how to which ?" asked the Court " Last evening as I sat in a saloon reading the Declaration of Independence a rulHan walks up and spits on the sacred document !" " He did !" "Yes sir; and he called George Washington a liar, and Thomos JeiFerson a chicken thief !" "S' death!" "And he said that all this country was good for was to raise yaller dogs, freckledfaced girls, and bow-legged mules ! Could a patriot stand that ? Why, sir, I'd have got up and tackled him if he had been as broad across the back as the top of Mt. Vesuvous !" "Prisoner, who gave the honour of this country into your keeping'/" " Nobody, sir ; but I'm a patriot." "You may be or you may not be an idiot. It is none of your business what any one says about America. If she can't take care of herself you are not called upon to take a hand in." " Must 1 stand by and see tho sacred Declaration spit upon ?" "You might fold it up and put it in your pocket.'' "Never ! I'll go for my country, right or wrong ! I'll live or perish with her ! Come on, ye traitors !" " 1 don't see 'em coming, "said his Honor, as he looked around. " Charles, you are sent up for sixty days."