A BASE DECEIVER.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3870, 27 July 1891, Page 2

A BASE DECEIVER.

Notwithstanding the advance of civilization, and the gradual decay of old and time-honored customs and institutions, the real old-fashioned anndown-swagger continues to scatter himself abroad, and, as of yore, prey upon his fellow man. Not long since one of him arrived by easy stages at the secluded village of Alfredton, and, having lain perdu until the hour when it is customary to take the evening meal, he showed forth, having first assumed an air jaded and sorrowful, calculated to impress the ordinary mortal with the idea that he had tramped many weary miles on slender rations. He was also burdened with a swag—for bulk a "ery king of B wags—a swag which the above mentioned O.M. would at onco conclude must contain a bush camp travelling outfit of the most complete type. Such were the thoughts of the two guileless maidens, who, from their domiciliary edifice, watched the laboured approach of the artfully sorrowful one. "What an awfully big swag that poor dear man is carrying," remarked one sympathetically. " Suppose we ask hiro to rest and have some tea. He does look so fatigued." Then the fatigued travel ler drew sufficiently nigh for them to ask him timidly whether he would sojourn and refresh, and almost to their surprise he consented, remarking (with a ring of pride in his voice) "that he couldn't abear acceptia' of oharity, he couldn't, but seein'ashow whoit was as arsked him, and as how he hadn't had a meal for i three days (three days is the orthodox period) he didn't mind if he did," which being interpreted meant that in a very few seconds the bulky swag reposed against the door post while its erstwhile bearer polished o2 the good things provided ad lib by the fair sisters. Having seen him fairly started they left him in the hands of their maternal parent, and went forth again to watch the evening fade. Said one, " Look at his swag, no wonder the poor man is tired and hungry. T don't believe I could lift it if I tried." She tried, and found it astonishingly iight. The cause was soon apparent, for with that natural curiosity (inherited from Mother Eve) arouseed the fastenings were hastily undone

and the bundle was found to contain nothing but hay—hay loosely stuffed in. The imaginary bush camp outfit vanished from their minds, with it (perhaps, alas, for ever; their simple faith in man, and they are not now anxious to pxtend chunks of solid sympathy to the next weary wayfarer who m»y happen to oome along.