FICTION IN BRIEF.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2466, 18 February 1893, Page 4

FICTION IN BRIEF.

MEG THREGOLD

[By Florence Warden.]

( Concluded.)

nad recovered altogether I had momentary gleams of Intelligence, during which I knew that 1 was being carried along by two men, one of whom was Corringham, and the other Zech Thredgold, while Meg herself was walking by my side. When the doctor saw me he declared that i had sustained a compound fracture of the right ankle, besides breaking my right arm. But I didn’t care. The more there was the matter with me the longer it would be before I could leave the dearest spot on earth to me —Zech Thredgold's little house on the moor. However, when I did leave, I took the charm of the place with me. Meg never had cared for Sebert, she said, and never intended to marry him. "But I thought,” she added, with her prosaic North-country caution, “ that you being so much younger and better-looking, and having so much the prettier manners, 1 was perhaps letting myself be led away too much by the eyes. And so I thought I wouldn't jump at you, but would wait a lit Be and see how you turned out.” " And are you satisfied now, Meg ?” She wasn’t going to spoil me by two much effusiveness. She just looked at me out ol the corner of her eye and said “ Yes.” Sebert Corringham gave us a wedding present more fit for a duke and duchess than for a poor artist and his wife. The recovery of his child—for little Wallie proved to be indeed his son—softened his rough nature, and made a happy man of him. The boy’i delicate health was now his only trouble He took the child about to warmer climate: when the winter came on, and whether or sea or land the one constant attendant oi father and son was Ruff, the collie. Forwc all felt that there would have been no loving father’s arms, and no comfortable home foi the outcast, if it had not been for tb< fidelity and sagacity of Wallie’s chum. HOW THEY DANCE IN ITALY. In Italy when the country men and womei dance together, the first thing they do is tc toss off their shoes, if they wear any. P. man dess not go up to a girl and ask if sh< will dance, but he fixes his eye upon hei from a distance and nods. She nods it return, and then both kick off their shoes advance towards each other, and begin tc dance. The dance, besides being an inces sant up-and-down of steps, represents alsc quite a little love drama in gestures, and it: success depends on the cleverness of the dancers in expressing the mimic scene. The man courts, pleads, beseeches, runs aftei his partner, tries to clasp her waist and kiss her all the time he is dancing, without ever pausing. The girl, of course, denies, laughs shakes her head, and escapes her partner till at last, the dance finished, she rushes tc her place and resumes her shoes. SOME BIG BANQUETS. The largest public banquet ever held in tht country was that in the Waterloo Rooms in 1532, on the occasion of the passing o the Reform Bill. It was attended by ovei jo,ooo persons. Mr. Balfour, when Chief Secretary foi Ireland, was entertained at a banquet ir the Waverley market, Edinburgh. The numbers in attendance far exceeded those attending any public banquet ever held ir Scotland. Mr Gladstone has on severa occasions been entertained at banquets wher more than 1,000 guests assembled. At the banquet given at the opening of the Roya Albert Dock, in June, 1880, there were 50c waiters, 100 cooks, 4,000 dishes, 24,000 fork; and spoons, 12,000 knives, 12,000 glasses and 15,000 plates. The dessert consisted c: 5 cwt. of grapes and 2,000 baskets of strawberries, in addition to other fruit, and the tables and table-cloths extended to a mile and a half. HOW TO TEACH A DOG TO READ, Sir john lubbock has a dog which often astonishes visitors by showing them that he is able to read. This is how the knowledge was imparted to him. Sir John experimented first with a terrier, but did not succeed. He got on better with a black poodle named Van, however.

First he took two pieces of cardboard about ten inches by three inches, and had the word " food” printed on one ; the other lie left blank. The card with ** food” on it lie placed over a saucer containing bread and milk, and put the blank card over an empty saucer. Van’s attention was called to the saucers over and over again. In about ten days he began to distinguish between the cards.

Then his master put the two cards upoa the floor, and signalled to Van to bring one of them to him which he readily did. When he brought the blank card Sir John threw it back with a gesture of impatience; but when he brought the one with “ food” upon it he was given some bread and milk. In a very few days he knew the cards apart very well indeed.

Then some cards were prepared with " out,” “ tea” “ bone” “ water” printed upon them. More cards had words put upon them to which the dog could attach no meaning, and they were mixed up with the others. It took Van a little time to recognise the words “out,” “tea,” " water,” etc., but at last il asked if he would go out, he produced the card with the word upon it from the lot placed higgledy-piggledy on the floor, and brought it to his master, quite as though hfc understood he was preferring a request that would be granted. TOO MUCH FOR THE BISHOP. In a volume of reminiscences recently published, the writer, a clergyman, narrates an amusing dialogue between himself and Doctor T'ait, then Bishop of Loudon, and afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, whom he had applied foy holy orders. He was charmed with the bishop, he says, so grave, kindly, and courteous, but neither the young candidate’s reverence /or the officf nor his respect for the man resifflifjj.ng birr, from asking one embarrassing question. The bishop gave me a private examination as was his wont in all such cases.

"I propose,” he gait;, "to have a little talk with you about the lessons for to-day,” 1 bowed and waited for the talk Jo begin *• What are the lessons for to-day ? “ said thG bishop. I felt nonplussed, but thought best to he quite candid. “I don't know wnM they are, my lord In point of fact. I never read the lesson; for the day.” ” You never read the lessons for the day ? ‘ exclaimed the bishop, in a rather horrified manner. “ What do you read then ? ” “ I find it more convenient, my lord, instead of following the selection of the lessons, tc take up some book of the Bible and work through it.” The bishop looked relieved.

” And a very good plan, too,” said he

“ However, in the present occasion, 1 rather wish to speak about the lessons. What are they ?” •• Will you allow me to remind you that 1 have just said that I did not know them ” and then, retorting the question upon himself, 1 said, “ What tire they, my lord ? ” The good bishop broke into a gentle laugh. “ Why, really, my friend, you have the advantage ot me. I don’t know them myself. '

Here is a hint which may prove useful to persons afflicted with the impediment of stammering. If the sufferer will always fill his lungs by a strong inhalation before he begins to speak, he may very readily cure :he most obstinate case.

Mexico has a population of 10,000,000 of whom 0,000,000 are of unmixed Indian blood, and 2,500,000 of mixed blood. The former are to all intents and purposes as they were three and a half centuries ago, when Cortes led his band of adventurers in triumph through the land. These Tlaxae dana were never subjugated, but became Hernando's allies against the Aztoca.