The Hastings Standard Published Every Evening. MONDAY, JAN. 14, 1901. THE GOSSIP'S DIARY.

Hastings Standard, Volume V, Issue 1424, 15 January 1901, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Every Evening. MONDAY, JAN. 14, 1901. THE GOSSIP'S DIARY.

The present developments of the war in South Africa would seem to provide a striking commentary on the contention that there is safety in numbers. Roughly computed, we may assume that there are at least six times as many British as Boers operating in the two erstwhile Republics—that is if we may attempt to hazard an opinion on the real strength of the enemy. Despite this fact, our cables are mainly employed with treating of Boer attacks on British entrenched positions, and though they are always repulsed with heavy losses they spring up confidently to repeat the operation at some neighboring position which apparently presents various vulnerable points. It is said, and not without a savor of reason, that the Boers are not nearly so sick of the wars as the Imperial troops. They have not suffered* the same hardships, and their intelligence department is perfect. They know exactly where the columns are, and on a wet nigb.t they sleep comfortably and securely in farmhouses, while the British are trying to induce intermittent snatches of slumber on the open veldt. The requirements of the Boer are unpretentious, and he-misses none of his usual needs as a result of campaigning. This in itself is a distinct advantage, and so long as he is provided with a a meal and a roof by the friendly farmer he will probably be content to pursue the agreeable occupation of shooting at " rooineks." It is imperative that his supplies shall be cut off before he can be brought to submission, but the task is a long and laborious one for the reason that the wily farmer dismisses his friends at the back-door with full hands, while he receives the British at the front with many and effusive protestations of loyalty.

One of the most unfortunate provisions of employment is that the employer insists upon a amount of work in return for the money which he expends upon retaining the services of his servant. The arbitrary nature of this demand u particularly noticeable in connection with the Napier telephonic exchange. Were the young lady in charge there not interrupted by the repeated ringing of bells and the request to be put on to so and so she would probably be enabled to maintain the thread of the romance which she is reading but instead of this some unsusceptible boor breaks in just at the interesting and psychological moment with a demand to be connected with his office that he may talk of such dull and disagreeable matters as business. Can it be wondered that the young kdy :u charge becomes impatient, and passes remarks which under ordinary circumstances would be considered impertinent and direspecthil .' Can it be wondered that she allows :ne merchant to talk along the wire into unreceptive ears ? And can it be wondered that she proceeds to finish the chapter before acknowledging the furious tintinnabulations of the irritable telephone subscriber 1 The man Uiu=t know 06

is dispelling a beautiful dream of romance, yet he bursts in upon it with all the fury of a Uhlan. No wonder ho is treated with scant courtesy, for his is unreasonableness personified. The officials in the Napier Telephone Exchange have a great deal to be unthankful for in this world, and the fact that their dignified positions are degraded by frequent requests that they should do that work for which they are paid is quite sufficient justification for their impertinence to those who subscribe to the department which employs them.