Ready for Him.

Otago Witness, Issue 2604, 10 February 1904, Page 73

Ready for Him.

A young man, whose fashionable attire and affected air did" not disguire the fact that he was powerfully built, leaned dreamily against a ficshly-painted fence, just ac the painter, bru3h and paint pot in hand, came lound the corner.

HLs arrival recalled the young man to a sense of his surroundings. He fairly sprang away from., his reoting place, and then surveyed tho back of his coat, which bore a hugo white patch. Tho painter, who was a small man, secrr.ed uncertain whether to be angry or amused. On reflection, it rppcared that virtuous indignation was the 1 afcr course. "It's your own fault, sir," ho remarked; "and see- what you've done to my fenco!" "My fault!" shouted the mfuiiatcd dandy. "Why, in the name of fury, didn't you chalk up a notice with 'Wet paint' on it? "Who's to know the paint's wet unless they're told?"

"Couldn't you smell it?"- retorted the painte-r. "Besides, it's wet enough, as any foci could ccc. If you hadn't been wool-gathe-rin' "

Something in the face of the young man. made him, pause.

"Now, lookl here," r-aid that injured person in tones of concentrated fury, ''you've spoilt my coat, and then, as if that isn't enough, you're impudent. Now, I'm going to give you a sound thrashing," and, taking off his coat, which he hung -scry caiefulJy on an adjacent pest, he adTanoed threateningly upon the painter. That worthy took a step badk wards in alarm, but the sight of the gorgeous waistcoat of the dandy eeerued to inspire him with an idea.

Putting his paint pot on the ground, he dipped both hands into its content', and then placed himself in a fighting attitude. "All x-ight," he said cheerfully, "come on. I'm ready for you !" A glance at his dripping fists cooled tho warlike ardour of his antagonist, who, resuming his coat, departed thieatening all the terrors of the law, while the painter, whistling merrily, went in seaich of his turpentine.