ON THE USE OF FOREIGN TONGUES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 7491, 1 June 1885, Page 4

ON THE USE OF FOREIGN TONGUES.

‘ If Brudder Shindig Watkins am in do hall to night, he will please step dis way,’ said Brother Gardner, as everybody except Bed Rock Taylor drew in his feet and ceased coughing. Brother Watkins made his way to the President's desk with a look of keen expectancy on his face. ‘ Brudder Watkins,’ continued the President. ‘ I now want to spoke to you indiwidually. On seberal occasions I has heard you wind up an observashun wid cum dig soli's. Has you got any diggin’ to do 2’ ‘ N—no, sah,’ • Do you know anyone named Solis 2’ ‘ I reckon not, sah.’ • Den why did you call on soil's to come an’ dig 2’ ‘T dunno.’ 1 Um ! on odder occasions, Brudder Watkins, I has heard you speak of aqua pura. Has you much of a winter’s stock on hand V I—l —no sab.’ ‘ Dat’s too bad ! I war’ gwine to buy a ton or so of you. All out, eh 2 Now, Brudder Watkins, what did you mean one day last week when you told Giveadam Jones dat you felt eu dishabille 2’ • X doan’ remember, sah.’ 1 Doan’ eh 1 ‘ Doan, happen to have any en dishabille in your pocket, to-night do you?' ‘ No, sah.’ ‘Dat's sad—werry sad! At de oyster ga’ty de odder ebenin’ you told de widder allfortb dat you nebber went out nights widont your similia similibus curactur wid you. How many times docs it shoot, Brudder Watkins?’ ‘ I—l dunno, sah.’ ‘ Which pocket do you carry it in 2’ ‘None of’an.’ ‘Brudder Watkins, look me in de left eye ! Ds man who has looked in at de back doah of a college am not speshually called upon to give de faok away. ‘ An’, too, de English langwidge am so plain an’ easy dat anybody can make hisself understood widout breakin’ his back. When de President of a Republic like dis sends fo'th an annual message in sich simple English dat skule boys kin swaller ebery word, dar hain’t much call for de likes of us to stand on de hind platform of a street-kyar and call out: ‘‘ Ad interim amicus humani generis ante bellum comme je fus !’ We know it widout his givin' hisself away. Take yer seat, Brudder Watkins, an’ let me hope dat you will hencefo’th use de langwidge of de kentry iu impartin’ de infurmashun dat you went to bed wid cold feet, and got up wid a backache.’—Detroit Free Press.