YOUNG LADIES AT A PREMIUM.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 139, 6 October 1870, Page 7

YOUNG LADIES AT A PREMIUM.

" -32gles," who has gone over to the " Australsian, has the following humorous remaks on a recent event, in a late issue of that paper : — Apropos of distribution of those 4,000 cards for the ball amongst some 50,000 willing recipients, there is a story current on 'Change. A merchant of Flinders lane, of unimpeachable reputation (he has been known to carry round the plate in cburch, drives his carriage, and bears about him other indisputable marks of respectability), received invitations for himself and his wife. Mrs — was ill, and could not accept, and as a young lady from Hobart Town was on a visit to them, it was proposed that there should be a tr.mstei 1 of the entree to the fair Tasuianian. (Parenthetically 1 may say that the presence of pretty and agreeable Tasmanians, in a certain circle in Melbourne, is its normal and agreeable condition.) To accomplish the required changes in the invitation, Mr — called at the office of Mr Fitzgibbon, the town clerk, who, of course, safely bestowed inside a locked door, and invisible beyond a mountain of pasteboard. Whilst patiently waiting an audience, the Mayor emerged from the town clerk's room, and Mr — , not being familiar with Mr Amess's personal appearance, inquired if Mr F. would soon be disengaged. The Mayor : Very busy, indeed, sir ; hasn't a moment to spare. What is it you want? Mr—: The fact is, I want him to introduce me to the Mayor. I have received an invitation to the ball for myself and my wife. My wife is ill, and I want to take a young lady instead, who — The Mayor (interrupting) : Why, your'e the thirty-second married man who has made a similar application during the last twenty-four hours! You all want your wives' tickets changed for tickets for young ladies. Take your wives, gentlemen, take your wives ! Need I say that Mr — , who was unprepared for this awful implication, beat a precipitate retreat, hastily follow by an honorable and gallant member of the Upper House, who had been waiting to prefer a similar request.