THE FAMILY RUDDER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1257, 25 October 1884, Page 3

THE FAMILY RUDDER.

A man who was having his hair cut not long since gave the barber particular instructions not to remove a long lock that projected in a somewhat unsightly way from the front of his head. “ It doesn’t become you,” said the barber.

»• Can’t help that,” said the customer. “ Better let me take it off,” said the barber.

“ Just you leave it as it is,” said the man.

“But,” persisted the barber, “ I can’t give you a smooth, decent cut if I leave the hair so long in front, It will look like the very deuce. I can’t see what you want it left there for.” “ That’s because you don’t know what it is—you don’t know the use of it.” I know it’s a bunch of hair, and know that it’s deuced unbecoming just where it is.”

“ Yes ; it is a bunch of hair—and it is something more than a bunch of hair. It’s the family rudder.” “ The family what ?” “ The family rudder. When things don't go right at home, my wife always grabs hold of that lock of hair. She would feel lost without it. When she gets hold of that she can handle me steer me in the right course, so to speak—and when I go in the right course the whole family go in the right course, and all is well. I’ve got used to it now and don’t mind. Should I lose my hair and become bald, or should you give me a fighting cut all over, there would be no way of steering me ; I should become unmanageable, and sooner or later a total wreck. No, sir ; don’t you disturb the family rudder.”