One Way of Shortening the Winter.

Otago Witness, Issue 2205, 4 June 1896, Page 52

One Way of Shortening the Winter.

A few days ago a talkative, middle-aged man, taking pity upon a melancholy-looking indidual who was seated next to him in a railway carriage travelling citywards, tried to be sociable, and started a conversation on the unfailing subject of the weather. " I don't care what the papers say about the weather," said he ; "it is possible for ns to have a long and severe winter yet. Of course you remember the blizzird whioh happened some years since in March ? Anyhow I am fearful in regard to tbe whole matter." But no answer came from the one who was thus addressed j he wore a tired look on his face, and made no attempt to speak. " I say, I'm afraid that in spite of appear* ances the winter will lengthen itself out and ba very cold," continued the sociable passenger. " Well, look here, if that's bothering you in the way in which it seems to be," replied the other, breaking bis silence with a nervous jerk, 11 just you go and give somebody a promissory note for three months for an amount larger than you can hope to pay. Tb>n you'll find that this winter, or any winter, will pass away so quick that you won't have a chance to get cold. Try that method— it's unfailing."