Page 3 Advertisements Column 1

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 769, 19 May 1877, Page 3

Taking Toll.— A gentleman of an autogiopraphio turn relates how he was instructed in the custom of taking' toll, by a sprightly widow, during a moonlight slegh-rirte with a merry party. Be says : — The lively widow L. sat in the same sleigh, under the same buffalo«robe with me. 'Oh! oh ! don't,' she exclaimed as we came to the first bridge, at the same time catohin« me by the arm and turning her. vailed face towards me, while her little eyes twinkled through the moonlight. ' Don't what ?' I asked. 'I'm not doing anything.' « Well, nut I thought you were going to -take toll,' replied the widow. 'Tolll'l rejoined. • What's that ?' 'Well, I declare T cried the widow, her clear laugh ringing out above the bells, ' you pretend you don't know what toll is ?* ' Indeed I don't, then,' 1 Haid langhing j 'explain if you please.' ' You never beard, then, 1 Baid the widow, most provokingly— * you never heard that when you are on a sleigh-ride the gentlemen always — that h sometimes— when they cross, a bridge claim a kiss ard call it toll. But I oevei pay it.' I said that I had never heard ol it before ; bnt when we c»me to th< next bridge I claimed the toll and tb< widow's struggles to hold the veil orei her face were not enough to tear it. A1 aat the veil was removed, the round, rosj ./^ace wes turned directly towards mine Vond in the clear ligh of a frosty moon th