LIFE'S UPS AND DOWNS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 185, 5 August 1913, Page 6

LIFE'S UPS AND DOWNS.

BANK MANAGER TO NEWSBOY. Many parts are played by some mem in this world, and while some liave rapklly ascended the ladder, others have descended at an equally rapid pace, and landed somewhere near the gutter. Those who have wended their way citywards almost every morning may not have had time to reflect ou tho vendors of the newspapers; may have passed them by as the unambitious creation of human derelicts. Yet one of these paper-sellers in Wellington, who tenders tbe daily papers to every passer-by in the hope of gaining a few pence, has played many parts important and responsible, if not, notable.

l-'rom acting-bank manager to newsvendor is a big drop. but. in the words of the one who has taken it. "What's tbe odds?" It was the educated tone of the man who, on Saturday, offered a paper for sale that drew a "Dominion" reporter's attention to the individual.

"Will you buy a paper, sir? No! You've seen all the papers! Well, one must press tbe news." said the man. and rapidly went on to refer to himself.

"Do you see these?" he asked, indicating a pair of loud-checked garments.

"Fancy, they sold these to mc, and 1 once had sixteen pairs."

"Well, it can't be helped," he went on. "150 you know," he confided, "I did not always sell papers. No, I've gone down. I was once an acting-bank manager."

"It's a good drop "you've made," yen tured the reporter.

"A good drop! 1 should say so. But you know I've made a pretty good navvy."

"I don't think I could do that," replied the reporter.

"Of course you could do it," came the quick answer. 'T've done it, and so could you."

The newsvendor turned suddenly aside. to offer a paper, but fumbled -without a word. He turned again to tbe reporter with a laugh, and said: "Oh. well, let him go. 1 couldn't get it out that time, but usually I can tell 'em lies, or sell 'em papers." "Why have you not recovered yourself?" was asked.

"Oh, it's jolly easy to drop, but hard to get up again," came the answer.

The man, about 35 years of age. spoke with a refined voice, and in a jovial manner, and did not seem to take his position at all seriously. He summed it up in the onp phrase: "What's the odds?" and turned away to seek further purchasers.