THE SQUATTER AND THE BAILIFF.

NZ Truth, Issue 78, 15 December 1906, Page 7

THE SQUATTER AND THE BAILIFF.

—'—* One day a man was riding Through a squatter's land out West, Where the shadows of the trees sd ■"..■' . gloomy fall; • • , But his horse'was,tired and weary," ■ So he stayed a while to rest, When he heard the squatter's voice be,'hittd him call: ■ ' "Hey ! Stranger ! Move your carcase : And your blanky moke along ! What right have you on land that's not - ■ your own ? I'll set the,dogs upon you If you are not quickly gone, And' they'll tear the blanky flesh from, off tbs bone I" "Mr. Squatter," said the stranger; | In atone which showed reserve, "I believe that m the Scriptures we ara ' told •■.'•■" That the land was made for all men , Who by labor could preserve ' Themselves from hunger, nakedness, and ".' colii 1" Then the squatter's blood was heated, And he told the man to quit> Or he'd call his "hands" and swing .hiini to a tree ; But the stranger blankly smiled. As Ilia pipe he slowly lit. Feeling conscious m the end had "ewa'l be. "Do you think, sir," said the squatter,, "That I've time to fool away In discussing such damn Socialistic rot ? I'm a magistrate, with money, And I've lots of flocks and herds.! — Do I look as if Z would share them with a sot ?" ■*1 might tell you," said the strajiger* "That your 'share' is very small When you've settled up this Broker's little bill !. • . ./.;. I'm a bailiC m possession . Of these lands and flocks and herds, So I fear that "share' you speak of will be nil !'-' v Then the squatter's bluff subsided. • For the bailiff did the rest. And listed aught ' of. worth about tha place ; . •-. . No more that J.P? men will fine • For tfespassing "out West,' , ' But dreads, at times, he'll meet theici law* to lace. I've seen that squatter lately Bound the Socialistic stump, - ' And I've heard him cheer thr. when ho said, "That banks and brpJ»:- > . Have 'snaVelled' New:, . <- Sd an honest mac's ; v'■'. "', ■ ,• j his head." . ay ' That squatto- :-; ti,a,. laaJAnd all -t*-.;^ Stains; Shpuld *##* i, ft those whc toiI;. *£*>> '■' ~at election' ■'■,->■'■ ■™** k " —»[kwX the men -of brains.' '''-''-" ■W* MBllwltand the Way laad-sh&rlcs fii ojl. , . ,- . . 1 «»t<in where's the sense m squatters Bluffing men who chance to tread On land which will eventually be free ? For then both banks and bailiffs Must produce some wealth, instead Of causing human want and misery. ..:-. J. HARRADINE, v^ ' —