GINGER FOR PLUCK—P'R'APS.

NZ Truth, Issue 604, 13 January 1917, Page 6

GINGER FOR PLUCK— PRAPS.

He was a vivid-haired youth, and was boasting that he had beaten tho military authorities m that he had not received a card nor had he filled m any catalogue as to his qualifications and etcetras. Just as ho had finished, tho tall young man standing next to him put his hand on his shoulder and said, "Do you know who I am?" "Ginger" turned round hurriedly and said, "Naw. Who 'th' blazes are you, anyhow?" "I'm a detective, and I've heard all you said. Which do you prefer — to go to the Buckle-street barracks, the Town Hall, or— gaol?" The youth with the caxrotty caput reckoned that he would, er-a, that is — go to the Town Hall and enlist ''But what about some dinner?" he asked. The fright of the thing had evidently made him hungry-— but not for Prussian gore. "Oh, there's no time for dinner," salu tho 'tec, "come on with me to the Town Hall." Thon the procession started and "Glnger-for-pluck" starred oft quite boldly. "Load tho way," said he, and tho 'toe. and the friend showed him the track. They arrived at the rocruiting offlco und wero marcHlng m as a procession when, on looking round, they found the crimson-haired warrior retreating (it a rate of speed that would have been a credit to a professional ped. They chased him and he dived into a warehouso m one ot the back lanes In the region of the Town Hall. In vain did they search, so they wont to hln lodgings to be met with tho news that be had not been home since morning. Thoy went ug&in at night, but were mot with tho same reply. They went next day and wore told that Mr. Redtop hail had to throw up his job and return at once to/ tho South Island, as hla father and mother were**"3*ylntf of chronic ImnecuutousUy or something. Ho hod paid his board. Kent for his things, and <por tho Maori) had vanished llko the mists of tho morning. The Joke of it l.s that the "detective" l» an Innocent butcher who huppctu-d to be doing noth-ititf-at all that day. and. br-inf: tall, tho carrotty-halred Individual took him for granted. When he sees this he will curse with v ten-home power blanky and all minor epithets thrown In. /