BREAKING CAMP AT CORRIGALL'S

Otago Witness, Issue 2669, 10 May 1905, Page 82

BREAKING CAMP AT CORRIGALL'S

I [When breaking up camp in the back blocks . it is usual for the men to have an impromptu I concert on the night prior to leaving.] The night we finished Corrigall's, when the harvesting was done. The boys resolved before they left to have a bit of fun. All day they'd been hard at it m the paddock leading-in, Forking, carting, stacking, the go!den grain td •win: Stripped barely to the singlet, with muscle big and strong, The job, when once they'd ma<!& a start, dicl I not take very long. I A. couple did the forking, while four others I <lrove a dray; Two other men were building stacks, which- - ' leaned the other way ; • Little Black Jack did the crowing, and thought' his job great fun. — That was when Billy Henderson, perchance, had failed to come. The cook was kept hard at it, with boiling stews and duff, Of which, now that I- think of it, they must have had enough. ; Well, after tea was over, and all retired to rest, j Each on« that he might give a song received a strong request — A recitation or a speech, the others did not mind, As long as it was up to date in metre, and refined. Jack Rafferty gave " Buffalo Bill " ; he spoke it forth with pride. Of how that, marvel of>- the wheel performed his wondrous ride. Right down the Haka, Saddle his wheel flashed like a streak, Until he found his ardour cool down in M'Cully's Creek. " The Man From Snowy River " was given by Cully George, Of how he turned those horses' heads 'way up that mountain gorge. The praises of that horseman's ride he echoed by the score, For the equal of his marvellous feat was never seen before. Frank Sprocket started on a rhyme which never was completed ; Bob Bright, too, essayed on, his own, and. likewise was defeated. Loud were the plaudits each one got when song or rhyme was finished ; And though the night •was wearing on, the zeal had not diminished. Just then Big Sam struck up a song — now do not think I boast, — I scarce have heard a. finer thing than, that old Scotsman's toast. The Englishman, the Irishman, joined to the Scotsman, too, "When sung with vigour and with tune brought forth applause anew; But when Big Sam struck up his last all noise was hushed to hear Those tender words and lovely tune of sweetest " Jessie, dear." "Whene'er I hear that touching song my eyes are dim, I fear, And aye my thoughts will wander back to my, own Jessie, dear. But now the swags are all rolled up ; the boys have got their cheques, And nothing else remains of camp but the shadow of reflex. North Otago, May 1. — C. Gkat. — Turkish, women do not come into control of their private fortunes until after marriage. After that they can dispose of one-third of it without the husband's consent.