BY THE WAY.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 43, 3 February 1912, Page 3

BY THE WAY.

(B\ "Pa.‘sager.”) THE SOD TURNING. "I trust, Sir Knight,’’ said he of the side whiskers, 'jny humble* efforts at organisation have merited your appreciation.” •’Verily. Vigor.” replied the llaicii. T must compliment you sim-er.-iy. You display much shrewdness. Vigor, much sltrewdm Spit me. but I believe we have made iinicb. mana by this function.” "Ave. Baron.” repli.d Vigor, "it has been ourl mean your —good loitti’ie to burn the sweet incense of cratoiy under the noses of the pt-i.p’e. and thy jn-ofit hath been gciirrous. In the words of Bobby Burns. But yesterday thy name was Mi : . ; I.Hr ’-aii'iii pif'l *.' But now there are none amongst the villauc pitmpeis who will riot do thee } ; . ■ ” "Enougli, good Vigor, enough i t am 1 pietist (I withal that thmi s'; ouldst sp.-ak so plainly. Spoke* . . bcm we 11. Vigox ? Said I ought which had better lain conceale I.' ?.It tlio’jght ’twas best not to touch p. in your <’eetorate. 'Tis not wi 11 to create an appetite for sometiiei * which you cannot supply when I cm from thy side. I stuck to the Pm-’p.” ‘Ayo. and manfully, too. Sir Knight,” quoth Vigor, as he smiled teminise-ently of the* bygone celebration. "It was a clner appeal, an i ■.. no could see the pockets of the t’tnd? palpitating violently as ’lie golden words of profit to com** r <* i upon their e ar.-. As I have » * fore remarked. Baron, uadc not ’ !!.«’ upon the 1 arts and heads if th •• people. Touch them through .the* pocket or the stomach.” ■V'gor,” said the Baron ;;ith a frown mantling to his brow, ’’havf i not admonished thee before 'or thy presumption. There is a story

bout a boy. his granumoui ;.i u

in tgfc i uckiiiiz contest wni. n I commend to your perusal. Thickest thou I came to Napier to learn ‘‘boosting ?” "Heaven forbid. Sir Knight, that I should convey to your august mind the impression that. 1 presumed to guide you,” replied Vigor. "Tw is more a sol'yoquy’ conjured up by memories <f the past than an attempt to advise so noble an exponent of the art of boosting. \\ lien 1 think of the way you have tickled the people with surphisi s, post offices, railways, reads, bridges, ■jay payships.’ and semiiliatmg promises cf benefits to come. I realise the impossibility of emulatioß. 1 i .an only -it back and adore, pray .ng that I may be allowed to follow in t v *. footsteps.”

"Nay. nay. cood Vigor. I mean’, la'.iglu t>y my hasty speech. Th ti hast a tidy conception of the art thyself. Look bow you bhii'tcel ’Da 1’ out cf his share <f the kmlc:-. It t-howi d fine touch. Vigor. fine touch.”

■ Thank- to you, Baron. Thanks to you,” said Vigor, "for hail you Ji. avfd the ceremony the tffiances a--e the turning of the sod v.-» ufr! have taken place at Hastingand ;*’* should have been but humble sp‘--• -.1 ors at a heathen cc-remonv. "Tut, tut. Vigor, let it not be understood that, the plan of the celebration was mine. That would never do. 'Twould spoil all. Remembci 1 was passing through and iho.i ’with characteristic energy ar.d letennination.’ didst importune me to tan) the scd. The. people deserved cot ■■■' frat ion thou didst assuie nr*. Tn It ng had tiny waited for proof or Gt: iimeat’s g nuine inteui’-m to develop the c< untiy in the only d:r<’(i.'-n tiiat was possible or prnf'able. Remember. 1 hung back; I was reluctant; yet in th;’ end thou elidst prevail. Let. the populace of Napier uiirtuie that stmy in their bosoms. Maybe ’twill coim* in handv in a few months’ time.”

"Ah, Baron,” murmured Vigor, "thou wcr’t ever generous. Am I to have all the praise and the barrow too

•’Odds life, man, the barrow was naught. ’Twas not mine. It cost me nF a stever. Besides, I am used to giving such things. The man who g’-n .* a drcndr.diiglit may surclv present thee with a barrow, goral’ Vigor. Besidt s. gavest. thou not me* a spade of passing value and rare workmanship. "A trifle, Baron, a trifle.’ expostulated Vitror. ”’twas not mine. I pn’.d naught for it.” ■•Gadzooks. man, thou speakest truth.,” roared the Knight. "Shake, man. shake Vigor, we know the game! We know the game!”