The Switchback at the Greymouth Exhibition.

Otago Witness, Issue 2082, 18 January 1894, Page 49

The Switchback at the Greymouth Exhibition.

" This way to the switchback ! " and in two seconds we mount the broad stairs, reaching the dais, where stands in solemn pawkiness the camera-obecura ; but it is night, and so we enter the car, four at a time, and we're off ! Gracious '. until I went down that last plunge, I never realised the full value of tho soul. One never does in ordinary course of the world. I know I have a soul now. The switchback taught me that. I once thought en route that I had left it behind ; but a young creature— my companion of the aerial voyage— realistically dispelled the illusion. When the plunging began, this divinity — a perfect ox-eyed, ichor-veined, symmetrical work of art — laid hold of that fleshy portion of my forearm which is said to rusticate just below the biceps, and at each successive plunge the taper fingers tightened, tightened, tightened, until the last dreadful one, when her almond-shaped nails seemed to cut through Mosgiel tweed and finest linen, and to enter my very soul ! When all was over, and we two stood under the pale light of the incandescent lamps, I looked into those peerless orbs and timidly said, "Your pardon, miss, but when you've quite done with that pound of flesh, I should deem a return of it an inestimable favour, as it belongs to my arm."

" Goodness, gracious ! is that you, Jack ? " " Hush ! yes," answered I, nervously looking around for the exact spot where Mrs A. stood. Her lily hand now trembled in mine, and she turned from peony to lily, from that to carnation.

"And does that faerie queen, whose sunny ' gloriousity ' used to kindle anew the faint spark of life in a certain person, still shine a guileless, unbought brilliant in the zenith above ? " queried I.

i Casting her eyes down demurely — oh ! ecstasy ! " She are still free," I wae about to exclaim, when my sleeve was sharply tugged. I turned, and — del ! Mrs A. was at my elbow !

•• Who was that sf?'an</e-looking creature ? " said Mrs A. tartly, as we descended the stairs.

" Say, my dear," interjected I quickly, as if I heard not the question, "be sure and not forget to buy that cream sunshade for the races to-morrow."

I scored one, and she only replied with a Smile :

" Ob ! Jack, Jack, I'm afraid you're a rogue ! " Ajor.