Rural Optimist.

Otago Witness, 1 June 1910, Page 90

Rural Optimist.

The pessimistioal tourist found the freckled farm boy sitting on the turnstile twanging a penny Jew's harp. ''You needn't be so confoundedly happy," warned the tourist, as he slowed up his horse. "Do you know what the almanac predicts?" ' No, inde;d, ouster," drawled the lad, pausing in his tune. " Dad only has one almar.ac, and he won't let me see that." " Well, it predicts that there'll be an, earthquake within th<s next 10 days that'll shake you ins'dc out." " Won't hurt me, mister. I broke six young colts for dad this season, and I guess when it comes to shaking you up they beat a dozen earthquakes." " Well, the week following there is to be a cyclone that will toss you over the next county." "Couldn't please me better, boss. There a a circus over there that week, and I'm short of railway fare." " H'm ! You are a hard nut. Know any-: thing about comets?" "Never saw one in my life." " Well, Hallev's is due in a month or two, and it is 'liable to hit this old earth and put you out of business with a billion; sparks." The farm lad srrinned. "Billion sparks, mister? Crikey! Ma always did sav I'd have « brilliant finish, and 'l guess that's wha*. <A-» ~»*ant. So icnjr V'