He Tackled tlie Wrong: Woman!

Otago Witness, Issue 2520, 2 July 1902, Page 85

He Tackled tlie Wrong: Woman!

One of tho first tasks they set the new curate, who was handicapped by youth and iuoxperience, was to investigate the bona fides of a "widow woman" who had applied to the church for help. He departed nervously on hi 3 errand and knocked, as ill-luck would have it, at the wrong door. "How long has your poor husband been dead, my good woman? What number of children have you? Are any of them working? If so, what amount of money are they earning altogether?" were the questions he fired, like shot.-* from a revolver, at the slatternly woman who answered his summons. "I presume I am addressing Mrs Harriet Smith?" he added, noticing with alarm that sho looked angry.

"Xo, you ein't," answered the woman, snappishly. "My name is Sc-hna Jackson, my bairns go to school, and my 'usband's doin' what in nece3sary to a plateful of rump s-teak and onions at this very moment. Would you like to Vnow anything olse? Where was I born? When I was baptised? At what age I started courtin'l' Peihaps.' she concluded sarcastically. rolling her tattered sleeve up above the elbow, "you'd like to see my vaccination maik before you go?" But the ba=hful curate, rodder in tho face than a poppy, was already in full flight.