YARN-TELLING CONTEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1922, Page 5

YARN-TELLING CONTEST.

TWO RGTARIANS OF TITLE. The Marquis of Aberdeen and Temair and Sir James Taggart, a former Lord Provost of Aberdeen, were the competitors in a story-telling contest at a Rotary Club meeting in Aberdeen recently. Sir James opened the battle. “Once Lord Aberdeen was walking in Edinburgh,” he said, “and a drunken man staggered against him. A policeman came on the scene and said, ‘Look here, my man, you’ll need to behave yersel. Do you realise that you barged into the Marquis of Aberdeen and Temair?- ‘Am I as bad’s that!’ exclaimed the man. ‘ls there twa o’ them?* ” Lord Aberdeen, countering, said that in the old days the passing of the Royal train along the railway line attracted crowds of people to the stations. On one occasion a group had collected at a station, and a farm lad left his plough and pushed into their midst shouting, “Fit’s adee here? Fit’s a’ the steer a boot? ’ (which, translated, means: “What’s going on here? What’s all J > excitement about?”) He was told i.i somewhat rebuking tones that the Royal train was due. “Ach,” he said disappointedly, “is that a’? I thocht it wis a fecht.” (fight). Sir James told of a stationmaster who telephoned to a minister that some goods ■had come for him. The minister replied. “Oh, yes. I expected a parcei- of books. 1 will send for it immediately.” The stationmaster replied: “Very well. Don’t be long about it; they are leaking.’Lord Aberdeen told how on one occasion the Duke of Marlborough was very much interested in an emu which he had at Blenheim Palace. It was expected to lay an egg, and the duke left instructions to the steward to telegraph l]im when the event occurred. In due course a telegram arrived: “The emu has laid an egg, and, in the absence of you£ grace, I have placed it under the largest goose I could find.” Sir James was declared victor.