THE ETERNAL FITNESS OF THINGS.

Observer, Volume 5, Issue 124, 27 January 1883, Page 308

THE ETERNAL FITNESS OF THINGS.

He was an old Auckland identity. He'd been connected with, the Colony, in fact, for many years, and of course had amassed not a little of the "filthy lucre." Gradually, however, he fell ill, doctors were summoned, but of no avail, and finally he toot a ticket for the realms above, his soul travelling ti little quicker, let us hope, than an Auckland train. There were not a few to deplore his loss, and a great many assembled to follow his remains to their last resting-place, — more perhaps by reason of the cabs and carriages provided free, gratis, and for nothing. Amongst those drawn to the residence of the deceased, out of curiosity, were some of oar young men about town, and one of them, seeing an empty cab, conceived a brilliant idea, and beckoning to two of his chums, in they jumped. Owing to a delay, chiefly on the part of the M.0., who wanted to see their cards, but of course received none, the cortege started, and all went as doleful as a funeral bell, until theliearse was ascending a hill. Just here, our friend in the cab espied walking along the footpath a member of his rowing club, and as this member had been very dilatory in attending practice for a race tbat was then eventuating, the cab was stopped, and out jumped the mourner. In an excited voice he exclaimed — "Here, what the deuce do you mean by not coming down to the sheds at night — there are all us fellows waiting for you, and you never come. How do you expect we are to win ? You had better come down to-night !" The traveller was, of course, too astounded to speak, and what shall be said of the mourners. Eyes, red with weeping were hastily thrust out of carriage windows, and as hastily thrust back again. The driver of the hearse, too was in a state of excitement. Thinking that Milner Stephen had arrived, and was about to effect one of his " miraculous cures," on the inside passenger he pulled up, also, but was doomed to disappointment, and had the melancholy satisfaction of seeing our friend regain his seat in the cab, and once more the procession was on the inarch. The cabman 7t,earst-\\hile, is patiently waiting for his fare, and declares the whole affair is too grave to be called a joke. We undertaJce to say so too ! but the boys at the sheds call it a cab-i-tal yarn.