A DEPLORABLE INCIDENT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 27, 14 January 1911, Page 3 (Supplement)

A DEPLORABLE INCIDENT.

At a certain chuich in a country town there was an aged verger, who, to save the exertion of continually marching up and down the aisle to conduct persons to their seats, used to take his stand in the centre of the church, and when any incomers appeared beckoned to them, and then conducted them to a seat.

Hie urchins of the ne : ghbourhood, Knowing his peculiarity, used to pon their heads inside the church door and mimic his action bv beckoning to him. Many times he tried to catch them, and one Sunday morning he nearly did lay hand* on one. But the lx>y rushed from the church and ran into the arms of a noliceman.

"What have you been up to?” said the policemanThought the bov, ‘‘l’m caught.’’ but he said : "Oh. sir, there’s a disturbance at that church, and they’ve sent me to fetch .1 pleeceman.’’ "Very good,” said the officer; "Til ston in and see about it.”

So he opened the door at the west end of tlie church, and. taking off his helmet entered. The moment the verger s-iw H’yj h* beckoned to him, and motioned .ini to a seat next to an old gen»l Inin.

Im med. ’iely the policeman was seated. he »oi ched the < Id gentleman and said. "Come quiet.’ The olil "entleman replied, "What do yon moan ?”

Officer: “Vou know whit I mean, and T don’t want no chat. Come quiet, or I shall have to tak l yer by force.’ - O!d G< ntleman : "j really don’t nndorvtind von.”

Officer: “Look here, we don’t want no n-ore disturbance; you’re been kicking np quite enough, and I - m going t:> have you .int quick.” Ry this time the congregation wore looking at the piir. and wondering S'bat was the m-itter. so th" old gentleman said. "Very well. I have not trade anv d'* urbane, but to save an.1 will go with vou. - ’

So together fto the wonderment of th.- runt’wxation) they marched up the aisle. When they had ’ ns-rd <»nt of the chrrrh. the verier followed them, nnd the po’iecm.in, turning to him. S .!c< :

"Nor thrn. you have got tn make your "harro.’

"(barge” said th- verger; "there ain’t any charge; all the .‘eats ar.' free! ’