A Great Overflow.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 226, 29 October 1887, Page 3

A Great Overflow.

An American traveller, while in Venice, met a mean dressed in the unmistakable " toggery " of the Mississippi bottoms. " Ah," said the traveller, approaching 1 tho Southener, " I am not acquainted with. you, but I am glad to see you, for I know you are from my country." ■" I am from Mississippi." "I knew it," said the traveller, extending his hand. "What do you think of Venice ?" " Wall, I don't reckon I oughter express my opinion now, fur I didn't git here till artor the overflow, an' hain't had a chance; to sco tho town, but as the winter 'pears to me on a stand now, I reckon it'll begin to go down putty soon, an' I 'low that when she starts she'll go down right peart. " " My gracious, man, this is not an 6verflow." "Then it's about as lively a freshet as ever I seed. In our country, when we have to paddle round the streets in canoes, we call it a putty good overflow." i{ You don't understand. This is Venice, and the water is always hore. "You don't say so! An' does the Government have to i?sue rations to all these folks ?" "Of course not. This town was builfc this way to — " " Wall, that mout be, but I call it a over- ' ;flo\v, all the samo ; but if it ain't goin'to fall enough for me to see tho town, I reckon I'd better go. This is the blamest swamp* I ever seed." — " Arkansaw Traveller."