“NEW ZEALAND CHERRIES.”

Marlborough Press, Volume XX, Issue 1196, 14 November 1879, Page 4

“NEW ZEALAND CHERRIES.”

Last week a fruit-dealer on Market street, incensed at the liberties taken by the loafers with his wares displayed at the door, placed a half a gallon of Cayenno peppers in a basket, labelled it “ New Zealand Cherries,” and .bung it in a oonspicious place in front of his stand. In a few minutes the next door merchant sauntered up, inquired how trade was, picked up a New Zealand cherry, placed it in his mouth and suddenly left to attend to a customer. The Rev. Dr. Bolly next rounded to, observed that the yellow fever news from Memphis was not very encouraging this mopning, and—ah ! it had been years siuce he had eaten a New Zealand cherry ; whereupon he ate one, remarked that it was superb, wiped his weeping eyes on bis coat-sleeve, supposed that New Zealand was getting warmer every year, wished the dealer good morning, and departed, lamenting the growing weakness of his eyes in the sunlight.* A chronic dead-beat then came up, took a mouthful of cherries, spluttered them out, with an imprecation, all over the fruit, stuffed a pear, a banana, and a buDch of grapes into his mouth to take out the taste, informed the dealer that he would have him prosecuted for keeping green fruit, and went down the street to the pump. A lady with two clhildren next appeared, stopped to admire the cherries, asked if she migbu’t taste of them—she had never seen any before —supplied the children and walked away —walked away with a face fiery with scorn and anger, while the children set up a howl that brought all the people to the doors and windows, and drove all the policemen off the street Thus the fun went on all the morning. The fruit dea'er never laughed so much in all bis life, The occupants of the adjacent and opposite stores and a shoal of small boys soon learned what was up, and watched and joined a ringing roar as each new victim tried cherries. Finally a solemn looking countryman lounged up, inquired the price of them ’ere New Zealand cherries, invested in a pint, put one in his mouth, took it out again, gave the fruit dealer alingeringlookof mildreproach, pulled off his coat, and “ waded into” him When he left, the fruit-man with tendencies to practical jokes had a blue eye, a red nose, a purple face, a sprained wiist and several bushels of fruit scattered around among the small boys, while the ringing roar of laughter was going up from the lookers-on.—San Francisco Post.