Is He Byronic or Ironic?

NZ Truth, Issue 979, 30 August 1924, Page 5

Is He Byronic or Ironic?

Love-sick Undertaker Lilts of His Now Coffined Passion <• ■ . ■ Rare m the pages of poetry, and unique m obsequial phenomena, are the verses which, under the heading: of "I WONDER," Undertaker Hudner indited to the lady who has now sued him for breach of promise, as told on this page. The verses, printed over defendant Hudner's initials, speak of a "call across the briny." The woman m the case heard two calls across the briny, one to Samoa and one to Sydney, but some time after the second one the undertaker cooled off. But he certainly was not at cooling point when he wrote to the absent one "darling, my love for you is fast becoming unbearable"; and there was perceptible warmth when he dashed off this sonnet (or is it an e^pic?): "I. often wonder, darling, if you ever turn your mind To the days that speed like lightning and the joys left behind? And I also wonder, sweetheart, if you ever turn your eyes To the wondrous days of comfort that m the future lies? I often wonder, sweetie, had you found another mate, Would you find- a greater happiness than m your present state? And I also wonder, Agnes, why you picked on little me To help you through the rocky tracks to life's oternity? I know that you, my dearie, m your travels through the land, Met hundreds of the finest chaps that ever shook a hand! And I also wonder, honey, why you turned down all their claims For your little kerb-stone hero, whom you sometimes call hard names? I often wonder, darling, why you looked at all at me ' Was it because you pitied me and offered sympathy? And I atso wonder, sweetheart, as memories I trace, If you met me m the night time and you never saw my face? I often wonder, Agnes, m the years that seem so grand If you will be quite happy m some other distant land? And I also wonder, darling, at nights at home with me If you will hear another call across the briny sea? I often wonder, darling, if you ever thought or knew That I would work myself to death to try and comfort you? And I also wonder, Agnes, when our Peace Flag is unfurled . If you will say, on that great day, 'You're the best boy- m the world." — "D.H."