NOTES FROM AN UP-COUNTRY CORRESPONDENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2692, 18 October 1905, Page 83

NOTES FROM AN UP-COUNTRY CORRESPONDENT.

Motto : ''He wlio pausetli is bushed." — Please, Dot, accept my most hurnbla apology for being so personal in my last notes. I was taking niy cue from the prevailing stata of things in the page at that tim&, and now, since you have wiped out all would-be critics, I expect I shall have to be strictly general in my future remarks. I notice that Weary uaa taken that littlo remark I made to heart. No; offence, Weary: I only commented on youi. sense of the fitness of things when you selected your cognomen. I had the good foxtune to stumble up agin Queer Fellow lately during one of his aimless rnocehings. DuriuU our conversation he heralded the praises of al« the ctubbites by telling me that they weri( simply tumbling over each other to do atf up-country L.F. a. good turn when he <ir shW i armed in town. After my many intctroea'-

! tions as to how he enjoyed the debate at the club, he related with "that far-away expression in his eye," that he sat there between two smiling damsels with the air of a fellow who had iost the general hang of things, and looked as pleased as circumstances and a 3im collar (,a borrowed one) would allow. He also remarked that he tried to raise himself on to thd level of things, but found it impossible since he was the smallest member present. — The age of stars is suroiy prevailing in our page at present. There are no fewer than 20 real heavenly stars, such as Evening Star. Morning Star, etc. Then there are the "Koostar," "Oystar," "Lobstai," and — let me — er— see! Oh, yes — "Lestai"! — There's an old paying which runs thus : "He takes tho cake.'' If a "bun" were only substituted for "cake" the sentence might possibly have a direct bearing on a clubbitc of some repute. Awkward, isn't it? I — The latest complaint that has developed at the club is known as "antics de duck" and "dive about."' I hope the "microbe" of this disease will not settle on many ol the members. — There's an old song entitled "Pardon came too late." Alas! this was the case when our worthy "V.-P., Go Hon, tried to restore order at the debate by frequently making use of the word "Pardon." Real and Imaginary: — — That a certain town L.F., who was In the h-abit of saying "There's no points in wearing a badge," discovered his mistake when he sat on another L.F.s cap. (Smile, please!) — That Dame Rumour and Dame Trot say that Queer Fellow was in Roxburgh lately. — That all the Cromwell L.F. are lamenting since Firefly has "done a mike." — That the bridge at Alexandra bears the following legends -.—"Harry, D.L.F.; Boy, D.L.F. ; Queer Fellow, alias Professor yon Knickerbocker©, D.L.F., advance- agent." Some passing wag had added "Quago" to Harry's nom. Don't collapse, Harry! For once in his very eventful career Quago was "wiped out" by me. — That Tansy and ragwort are very confusing-, especially in tho vicinity of Chaslands. — That our chum Firefly is quite as brilliant as her nom. implies. — That the name "Mike" is of Hibernian origin, and all Hibernians aie generally allowed to speak twice. Notwithstanding thio, Miko hadn't spoken once in the page for ages. — That Back-block Hermit has not put in an appearance for a long time. Where are you, B. B. H. ? Are you storing up your energy for S.S.W., or have you been disgusted with all mankind and got into your little cave and pulled the cavo in after you — sort of "caved in" — eh, chum? — That the latest D.L.F. gag is: "Why is Quago like a potato ?— Because if he gets unearthed he stands a good chance of getting into a. ' stew.' " — That the pessimist is not the only one ; who takes the worst possible view of things. How about the amateur photographer whose enterprising spirit led him. to Lowbiu-n ihe other Sunday, carrying with him a rummy apparatus on stilts? Did you arrive home safely on your old bike, I. C.. or did the firs fly out from the bearings en xoute? — That Cheerful Idiot sends his kindest regards to Dot and the editor, and hopes he has not made use of any remark which would ruffle the feelings of his L.F. churns.— Your& truly, CHEERFUL IDIOT.