How he was Given Away,

Otago Witness, Issue 1763, 5 September 1885, Page 27

How he was Given Away,

A budding journalist, who is very attentive to his personal appearance, and is constantly endeavouring to swell the list of his feminine acquaintances, was sent a few nights ago to report a church festival. There his eyes lingered ott and met those of a handsome girl, who smiled on perceiving his admiration. Aided by his newspaper privileges, he was soon in conversation with her, and made himself known by presenting his card. He found one somewhere in his waistcoat. It was the last he had, and was soiled a bit ; but as it informed her he had several Christian names, " parted in the middle," and was some kind of an editor as well as a member of the Thingumbob's local staff, he was glad to have brought it. He felt proud of his new achievement, being cognisant of the young lady's position in society, and resolved to increase the impression he had made. He led her to believo that he was reporting merely for amusement, that his income was great, and that he was heir to a large estate. He succeeded so well that, on terminating their first chat, she invited him to call at No. — Van Ness avenue, when her mamma was to be out shopping. He did so, was ushered into the drawing-room, and as nobody soon appeared, glancing at the contents of the card baske^ he recognised his own on the top of the heap. The reverse side was uppermost, but he knew it at sight. The following memoranda, jotted down by him a few days before, was in plain view: "Two beers, 10 cents ; coffee and doughnuts, 10 cents ; car-fare, 5 cents." At first, he felt constrained to thrust the unhappy " give away" in his pocket and brave the matter out, but a peal of silvery laughter somewhere in the vicinity being heard, he rushed into the hall, got his cane and hat, and dashed outside, covered with confusion.' He now carries a note-book.