What Was It ?

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 235, 15 December 1888, Page 2

What Was It ?

Whisky or water ? Thia is the puzzle, and we will put it before our readers for solution. Au ex-N.Z. Militia officer, ranking high, secured at a well-known local hostelry a bottle of MacKinlay’s (should the name be spelled incorrectly, put it down to our reporter’s ignorance of the brand). This he had taken home with the intention of adding to the enjoyment of a couple of friends. The friends arrived and after conversation the titled host suggested “ whiskey,” I brought out with me a bottle of the best brand procurable, we’ll discuss it ? The suggestion met with approval, and lips smacked in eager anticipation of the trent about to be afforded. The “Colonel” “ Major”“ Captain,” (you can guess the title fur yourselves) immediately produced a bottle and was about to draw the cork, when looking at the contents he exclaimed, “ What is it ?” The liquid in the vessel bore a sort of milky-white hue, the label on the outside showed “Peppermint ” in large letters, the odour was that of nothing, and whilst lamenting the fact it was generally decided that the “stuff” should be returned with maledictions upon the barman who had supplied the atrocious article, carefully appended. This was done, in so fir that the bottle and contents were brought back to the hotel, but the putative vendor denied all knowledge of having sold water in a dirty bottle for MacKinlay. What is required to be known is Did the barman have the ex-officer ? Did the whisky become water in the ex-military officer’s possession, or, aud the most important of all, who secured the contents of the bottle alleged to have been sold as whisky ? -