STATION BALLADS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2216, 20 August 1896, Page 41

STATION BALLADS.

NO. VIII.— THE HAWKER'S GARTi (Affectionately dedicated to Crockery Bob.) There is an institution that is called a hawker's van, • That 'might have been a fairish cart the time when carts begin, But. although Its ancient hody wears a coat or shiny white, . It has got a list to starboard that would give a cove a fright I , , And its understanding's shaky, and its wheels are all askew, « And its face is like its owner's, which is bashed and battered too ; But, my bloomins straight colonial 1 there are two " things in that cart That its owner carries also, and them things- Is gnt ami heart. - * - If s been moving round the country for^a pretty fairish time Since it carried plates and dishes in its flush of youthful prime ; It's had lota of neat capsizes and a heap of nasty Like Its' owner it can battle, and it's often in the It's been'sailing on the river, it's been rolling down the hills, •„.«. It has twice the lives of pussy, and can laugh at minor ills: But beneath its shiny cover there is bidden In that cart . . , . What its owner always carries— a good stout, colonial heart. There is coves about the country that can second what I aay,— It's been known to help a swagger on his pretty hungry way ; It's been known to olothe the caroase of a Joker stony-broke, It has even saved the weary tole of some Darefooted bloke. A good Samaritan upon the roads that smashed and batteied van, I don't caro where tho second is, its driver is a man ; And though its old and shabby, and a played-out hawker's cart, To its honour it's recorded that the fakemnt has a heart. There'll be, jokers heavy-hearted when it takes its well-earned rest ' (Though its owuer won't be sorry I should say to give it best), But around about the stations blokes will miss its cheery roll As it lurches round the corner with its Bpliced and twisted pole. Still this ain't the time for crying, for it's- not laid up as yet, • . If it will be twenty years from now I wouldn't

like to bet ; But hero's its monument in ink, and till it does

depart . Good luck ba with tho owner of that ancient

hawker's cart I Puketoi, Augusts. —David M'Kee Wright.