THE PRODIGAL.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 382, 14 January 1899, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE PRODIGAL.

Probably more sympathy has been wasted over the prodigal than over any other undeserving object in history, while it ia almost impossible to find anyone with sufficient strength of mind to risk unpopularity in defending the " elder " brother. Yet, taking the case of any average prodigal, what are the real facts. By the testimony of experience it may be accepted that he had no real cause to complain of his life at home. It was dull, of course, home life out of novels is dull; the daily tasks, what Americans would call the " home chores," were hum-drum ia the extreme, and hia proud soul revolted from them. Why should he drive the cows home, feed the pigs and chop firewood, or Bit in a stuffy office and drive a quill, day after day, all through the long year. His elder brother might do it, it was all he was fit for, but as for the prodigal himself, he was meant for better things than these, his talents deserved a wider sphere and a more appreciative audience, he would take his share of the patrimony and go out into the world to seek fame and other good thinas, and he did it. The fact that, in taking his share prematurely, he by so much reduced the family income, was a trivial matter that did not trouble him, and he probably cleared out his mother's private savings as well before his departure, for mothers are generally given to such weaknesses. So long as the money lasted he had a royal time of it. Every amusement, every luxury was to be had, and he had them, for nothing was too good for such a fine young fellow. But at last he reached the bottom of his purse, and the winter of his discontent set in with extreme rigour. His wages were lew, his food really infamous, and hia thoughts turned regretfully ti the simple but succulent maals he had had, and despised, at hom9. Decidedly it was time he returned, and if he were anything like the average prodigal he probably hypothecated some of his master's pigs to raise his fare.

There is no second volume to the proverbial prodigal ; had there been it would most likely have recorded how, when the novelty had worn off, the home-life palled on him and he raised the wind and once more went off to have a good time. The uttermost parts of the world are full of prodigals, for it is the natural paternal instincc to ship them off as far away from home as possible, with the idea that that which only growa a weed in its native soil, will develop into a choice plant in a more genial clime. Anywhere, from Singapore to Sydney, you will find the " remittance man," leading a life of inglorious ease, varied by brief bursts of dissipation when his allowance arrives. He loafs all day long at the down-town grog shanties, and swells the crowd at labour demonstrations ; if he draws a regular wage it is aa " strike " pay only. In the hot countries he does not even display this amount of energy, but dozes all day in the sun outside his wretched shanty, or marries a native wife, goes " fanti " and sinks even beneath the scum. Generally, be it said, cheerful, always lazy and thriftless, he contributes nothing to the sum of humour, happiness or prosperity, yet there is something in.the atmosphere of disreputableness which clings about him that gives a fictitious air of romance to his ragged figure. As to his being a pioneer of civilisation, the idea, to one who knows him, is absurd, for pioneers have to be made of sterner stuff than enters into his composition. If he drifts over the border, it is the belief there is a, shebeen in the distance at which he can get tick, or the prospect of a sheriff and posse seeking to make his acquaintance, that drives him on ; and his dealings with the guileless native generally result in an unpleasantly warm reception tor the next white nun who happens that way. ISo, the real pioneer is the elder son, driven from home by mortgages raised to supply the wants of the pro* digal. The prodigal is not neceß3arily without brains, indeed is ofteu gifted with a really brilliant iutellect, but even the most unintelligent of the epecies will display an ingenuity in extracting money from home that, p-operly directed, would suffice to launch him well on the way to fortune. One genial prodigal, having at last exhausted both the patieuce and the purses of his relations, called in the aid of a fellow scamp, and between them they coucocted an affecting account of his (the prodigal's) last hours and untimely death, which was forwarded to his parents. It was a most realistic effusion, and displayed an amount of medical knowledge that was most creditable to one who had spent a dozen years loafing round Sydney. The writer professed to have done everything possible to ease the last moments of hia unfortunate chum, and had denied himself absolute necessities in order to secure him Christian burial ; all he asked was that a email sum of money might be sent in order that a proper tombstone might be placed over the grave. In due course a reply came from the bereaved parents expressing their gratitude for all he had done for poor Charlie, and saying that, as they could not possibly think of giving him any more trouble, they had sent the stone itself, all ready for erection. The remarks the dead man made when he saw his many virturs imperishably inscribed on a polished granite slab were anything but complimentary. And thoueh the local stonemason took the slab off their hands at a discount, the carting charges left only a small profit for all the trouble of dyiug.—Globe.