OLD-AGE PENSION DAY

Otago Witness, Issue 3115, 26 November 1913, Page 62

OLD-AGE PENSION DAY

AT Elis’WOOD POST OFFICE, November 1. 1913. I called at tho post cffice first of November, 1 was 10 in th» morning by clock I remember ; Tho pensioners came by fives and by tens To receive what the law in its kindness expends. There were dames very feeble, with hobbling gait. With lines on the brow, and bent by tho weight Of the burdensome years, and troublesome bairns, Rheumatic pains and bronchitical turns. But some were quite sturdy and plump to the view, With jolly red faces, and white hairs a few, ho lived through their years with a “Happy-go-luck,” And though merged in life’s waves had come up as a duck. Old men, with their sticks supporting their legs, Were there, say, a dozen, but none with wood pegs; Some looked as if beer had retarded their rise, As the noses wore red and bleared were tho eyes. These were the exceptions, for many displayed A manly appealatice as if on parade; One could see they had marched through the changes of life With shoulder to shoulder in sunshine and strife. The postmistress cordially spoke to them all: Twas pleasant to hear her “Good-morning” call. As she carefully, tactfully, joyfully paid Tho small sums of .money their caves to evade. She bade them be canny to count out the money, For they could not, like bees, come next day for their honey; But this was but banter their mirth to awake For she knew they liked chaff as well as plum cake. The office was gleeful, the counter it smiled, The ink and the blotting-pads plainly beguiled, Tho pens gaily scratched as the signing was done, ’Twas more like a picnic, that office of fun. It gave me a feeling 1 cannot define, 'Twas like the warm glow of the choicest of wine. To see those poor folk, at their sunset of strife, Receive a bright ray in the journey of life. T. E. Tomlinson. Christchurch, November, 1913.