THE STORYTELLER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7915, 2 September 1905, Page 4

THE STORYTELLER.

A Slalioii Rouse&lMt. (Continued). "Well, I ain't dom' too bad," grinned Strong Lad. "No, lie isn't doing too Irad," grumbled Mainstay ; "but his work was. Nothing was properly done. Strong Lad wasn't worth Ms rations, and at last Mainstay folded his arms, and asked him what he was good for. "I dun'no," be said. "You ought to be booted oft the phiee," wmt on Mainstay. "As soon as the boss gets back I'll tell him so." i "Right," said .Strong Lad; "don't I think I was ever cut out for this iob, BiHy." "You wasn't," sco?''d Mainstay. "All you seem to cart about is that inouth-organ, and taking tickets in Tatts—wastin' good live bob you ..ever earned." "Fight," answered Strong Lad ; "perhaps I'll strike it one of these days." One morning came. Strong Lad rode into the township for the mail, : and came back with a strange smile upon his face, i "Take it from me, Pollivy' sajd Mainstay to the cook, "that there : young cove is goin' .balmy, all right "No goin' about it, he's there all right," said Pol lie. "Milk was late this morning. Boss didn't have his r milk and rum ;no chops cut for breakfast, and' I had to go out and bruise wood for my kitchen fire— Jon't mind a bit o' graft, But ui< is a little tit too much." Just then the Strong Lad entered the gitchen. "Keep goin' " he grinned ; "I can stand it tow. I've won £6OOO in i'atts, an' if Ginger'll have me I'm >;oiiig to matry lu-r, so that's all ■ Jght, eh ? Bit of all right, eh ?" And straightway he offered himseli ;o Ginger, and asked what sire would iike to make her "liappv, properly." "Klufty, traifin' dresses, like thtf ■nissus wears in the evening, pearls .ound me neck, an' a noo hat every Saturday night," said Ginger, and he Strong La. took the contract. When he told his mistress of his ,ood fortune, and of how he and •iinger were going to share it, she niiled. "You are very young, indeed ; but . hope you will tie happy." "Well, me an' Gnrgerjs goin' to liance it. We ain't had too much lappiness doled out to u» so far, mum, and you can't begin to be hap'V too young," said the Strong Lad turdily—wherein luiked true philoso;'hy' _