The Family Circle

New Zealand Tablet, 20 February 1919, Page 45

The Family Circle

■ ' » THE ANZACS. Many yesterdays have gone Since the Anzacs sailed away, - Many moons and suns have shone Day and night and night and day Since we cheered them to the ships, Each to play his hero-part, With a farewell on our lips And a “God-speed” in each heart. When, undaunted and sublime. Making history, they strove, We were with them all the time By the magic of our love; By that love’s transcending power. Though betwixt us surged the sea. We were with them in that hour When they scaled Gallipoli. Though the task they had to do Was a giant’s task indeed, Yet we knew them through and through Knew their fibre, knew their breed And when, glorious in their youth, • They proved victorious in the field. Though we honored them, in truth. Yet we knew they could not yield ! Though for some the alien winds Sound a mournful requiem. While the tear that scalds and blinds Falls, and still shall fall, for them, Though they won but death’s cold kiss, As they greatly did and dared, Yet (and God be thanked for this !) There are some that He has spared. Over ways that surge and foam. Over waves that gleam and glance, They are coming, coming home, From the crimson fields of France From that hell of strife and hate. They are hieing home again Is there any love too great For these tried and proven men? — Roderic Quinn, in the Sydney Mail. A BISHOP’S CHARITY. A certain French Bishop was once led, in spite of himself, to prove the truth of the proverb, “Charity begins at home.” Monsignor d’ Avian, on© of the bravest defenders of the rights of the Church under the First Empire, was constantly meeting poor men, who he fancied were in greater need than himself of good shirts and warm underclothing, until finally the one who had charge of his mending found nothing to mend—all had been given away. His housekeeper knew better than to ask his. Lordship for money to-buy anything for himself; so she went to him one day and told him of a poor man gentleman— had a certain position to maintain, but who was in absolute want of proper clothing. . “What does the poor gentleman need most said the Bishop. “Indeed, it would be hard to tell what he does notneed; for he has actually no underlinen, and his outer clothing is almost shabby. The case is really pitiful.” •_ “But this must not be!” exclaimed .the kindhearted prelate. And, slipping the necessary money into her hand, he continued-, “Buy him all that he needs in the way of clothing, to begin with. Be sure hot to tell him that it comes from me.”

w.t. "Certainly not, my Lord. I promise to conceal your kindness as best I can."/ Then, touched by the ill-concealed joy on*the 4 face of his housekeeper, and naturally attributing it to her happiness in being able to relieve -the wants of .the

poor f man, he called^Her back, and, adding something more to the sum he had already given her,' said "See that the shirts are made of good, fine linen. .A man in his position should, have something better .'than the ordinary quality." - . : ■ "Very true,'' replied the other, quite seriously. And great was her rejoicing over the cutting out /and making of the fine linen shirts ordered by the Bishop for — poor gentleman." The following Sunday Monsignor d'Avian began to wonder if he could find a fresh shirt, he had given away so much clothing during the week. Upon opening his wardrobe, what was his astonishment to find quite a supply of those articles, which were not only new, but of superior quality. .' ' . : ,- ; : - "What does this mean?" And, sending for his housekeeper, he asked her if she could explain the mystery. ■'■'..; '..

Trying to look very innocent, she answered: "The person who had them put there, your Lordship, gave special directions that his name should not be mentioned."

“They must be returned at once,” began the good Bishop. But, happening just then to glance at his servant, the smile on her face, which she was trying in vain to conceal, made him at once suspect who - “the poor man” was whose scanty wardrobe he had been so easily induced to replenish. . “Well, I forgive you; but never do such a thing again.” <•,. The good housekeeper could well afford to laugh, too happy over her present success to take much thought for the future. And the Bishop had to admit that this time, at least, his charity had literally begun at home. —Ave Maria.' NOT TO BE CAUGHT. A science master, famous for repartee, used to take a youthful class at a small private school. He encouraged the youngsters to catch all kinds of insects and bring them to him at the commencement of each lesson. He then gave them the life-haunts, and peculiarities of the insect. One youth had a great idea. He caught a “Daddy-long-legs,” cut off its head, wings, and legs, and after five days’ really delicate work managed to put on a wasp’s head, moth’s wings, and spider’s legs. The result was a unique specimen. The master did not move a single muscle in his face, but dryly remarked; “This is a very common species!” Then he asked; “Did it hum much when you caught it?” “Yes, sir,” the lad replied. “Indeed,” continued the master, “this is one of the best specimens of the 'Humbug I have seen!” HIS FIRST LESSON. Mr. Quibbles had engaged a new office-boy. He was a -looking youth;, but Mr. Quibbles prefers them that way; they aren’t such an anxiety as the smart brand. One of Maddocks’s first tasks was to copy a letter, and, as is the custom in lawyers’ offices, the letter and ; copy were read over together. “Dear Sir,” read Maddocks, “I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th ult. ” “Maddocks,” interrupted Mr. Quibbles, “what does ‘ult.’ mean?” For a moment an expression that was absolutely blank overspread the features of the new youth; then it cleared, and a smile of conscious knowledge took its place, “Please, sir,” he said, “it’s what they say to the soldiers when they want ’em to stop !” HER IMPRESSION. r A brewer’s dray had collided with a heavily-laden milk cart and sent can after, can splashing into the street. Of course, the world assembled to watch the 1.; ; great - event. A.'small man, coming up late, had to stand; on tip-toe and keep dodging his head - from side

to ■ side in order to- see past .an; enormously stout wasterwoman who was just in front of him. ' ; * “What is it? What is it?” he kept on asking’. At last he caught a . glimpse—the shattered cart and the fresh, white milk streaming through the street. “Goodness!” he exclaimed. “What an awful waste!” The stout woman turned and stared at him. “Mind your own business!” she snapped. SANDY’S STRATEGY. The following incident occurred in a public works, where a locomotive is kept for shunting. The enginecleaner being off duty one night, the old scavenger was sent to clean the engine and get steam up ready for the engineman in the morning. Whilst cleaning he had - accidentally turned on the whistle, the result being that when the steam began to rise the whistle began to blow. This alarmed the old man, so he picked up a pole and put it between the wheels, saying “Ye can whussel awa’ noo, but ye’ll no get oot o’ here till six o’clock.” CARRYING OUT ORDERS. The German soldier does exactly what he is told, and no more. An officer was drilling recruits, and had just given them the order ‘Quick march! when he noticed his sweetheart coming across the barrack-square. Forgetting all about the recruits, he entered into conversation with the girl, and went off with her. Six days later the same " officer was walking down the main street of the same town when he saw some tattered and tired soldiers approaching him. One of the soldiers, recognising the officer, went up to him and, saluting, said : “Please, sir, what about a halt?” SMILE RAISERS. * The Angler: “Is this public water, my man?” The Inhabitant : “Aye.” The Angler: “Then it won’t be a crime if I land a fish?” The Inhabitant; “No, it will be a miracle.” Merchant; “Are you a man who watches the clock ?” - Applicant: “No, sir; I watch the stenographer. As soon as she begins powdering her nose I put. up the books.” Piper Mac. ; “The verra best music I ever heard whateffer was doon at Jamie Maclauchlan’s. There was fifteen o’ us pipers in the wee back parlor, all playing different chunes. I thocht I was floatin’ about in heaven !”