SIR WILFRED LAWSON AS A "MASHER."

Temuka Leader, Issue 2044, 10 May 1890, Page 3

SIR WILFRED LAWSON AS A "MASHER."

Sir Wilfred Lawson’s remarks at Kjrkby Stephen the other day, that he was “ net such a fqo| afl he looked,” a London Star correspondent of Sir Wilfred’s personal appearance a quarter of a century ago, and an amusing incident arising therefrom. The teetotallers of a northern city wore holding a great demonatration, at which Sir—then Mr— Wilfred was to speak. At that period the Permissive Bill champion in the House was somewhat of a dandy. Mr Lawson was to travel yiq Manchester, and the h o n ora ry secretary of the demonstrating association, a young man who had never seen Mr Lawson, took a cab to meet the trfdu from, Cottohopohg. He vyatqhed afl the passengers alight, npticed one gentleinan with pegtop \yhfakers, who easily raised his hat and di«~’ lery carefully ; a down th- • parting .« • middle of his hair. Such a I toff,” of course, could not be the witty M.P., and the secretary returned to the place of meeting. Here he was

I met by the president of the assoeia--1 tion, who inquired where Mr Lawson was. “He has not come,” replied the secretary. Then, spying behind the president the masher he had noticed on the platform, added: ‘’At least, I did not see any gentleman alight whom I should take to be Mr Lawson.” ‘‘ Allow me to introduce you to Mr Wilfred Lawson,” and the president stepped aside and brought the secretary and the masher face to face. “Now tell me,” said Mr Lawson, “ why when you saw me on the platform—for I saw you noticing me —you did not think I could be Mr Lawson?” “You had better not inquire, and 1 much prefer you should not,” said the secretary. “Now you have excited my curiosity, and will greatly oblige me by telling me exactly what you thought when you looked at me,” persisted Mr Wilfred. “ Pray do not ask me, for X honor you too much to run the risk of offending you,” pleaded the poor secretary. But to no purpose, for Mr Wilfred avowed he should not and could not fairly be offended at anything the young official might say, “ Well,” said the secretary, driven to desperation, “if you will know you must, I did not think it possible that a gentleman of your la-di-da appearance could be the champion of the Permissive Bill movement, and a leader of men.” Whilst the perspiration rolled down Ihe face ot the secretary from vexation, the tears trickled dovyn the cheeks of Mr Wilfred with laughter.