HE CARRIED THE JOKE TOO FAR.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2683, 21 September 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

HE CARRIED THE JOKE TOO FAR.

♦ The other ilay a fruit dealer, incensed by the liberties taken by the loafers with hia wares displayed at the door, placed a half-gallon of cayenne peppers in a basket, labelled them " New Zealand Cherries," and hunt; it in a conspicuous place in front of ins stand. In a few minutes the next-door shopkeeper sauntered up, inquired how trade was, picked up a New Zealand cherry, placed it in his mouth, and suddenly left to attend a customer. The Rev. Dr. Bolly next came up, observed that the news from the East was not very encouraging, and—ah ! it was years since he had eaten a New Zealand cherry; whereupon he ate one, remarked that it was superb, wiped his weeping eyes on his coaffsleeve, supposed that New Zealand was getting warmer evey year, wished the dealer good morning, and departed, lamenting the growing weakness of his eyes in the sunlight. A lady with her two children next appeared, stopped to admire the cherries asked if she mightn't just taste them— she had never seen any before—supplied the children and walked away —walked away with a face fiery with scorn and anger, while the children set up a howl that brought all the people to the doors and windows, and drove all the policemen from the street. Thus the fun went on all the morning. The fruit dealer never laughed so much in his life. The occupants of the adjacent and opposite shops and a shoal of small boys learned what was up, watched, and joined in the riuging roar as each new victim tried the cherries. Finally, a solemn-looking countryman lojnged up,' inquired the price of them 'ere New Zealand cherries, invested in a pint, put one in his mouth, took it cut again, gave the fruit dealer & lingering look of mild reproach, pulled off his coit and waded into him. When lie left, the fruitman with tendencies to practical jokes had a blue eye, a red nose, a purple face, a sprained wrist, and several bushels of fruit scattered among the small boys, while shout of laughter was going up from the onlookers.