Wellington Jottings.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 136, 16 April 1894, Page 2

Wellington Jottings.

(From c*ui" mm

Whilst strolling along tho Quay, Friday afternoon lant, Bob Weeks, tmo colored man, with whom 1 aiu slightly acquainted, hailed im . This is what he s iid : “ Oh, by golly. Mister I’oncke I uni nearly crazy right here. My head it go round and round and won't stop. 1 did not intend to do it. I was crazy. I had tho knife in my h&ud at the time repairing tho street lamp. He bad be* n calling mo bad names, and spoke ill of my mother. A w hite limn calls his dog by naui«, but he (Gulhrason) calls a black man all the vile names ho can think of. It is a week ago since I stabbed Gulbrason, and * dky case was remand* d until to-day. I am crazy, Mister I'oneke. lie bit mo and then felt in a back trousers pocket for a revolver, saying bo was going to shoot mo. That is why 1 stabn* <1 him. I didn't * intend to do it. 1 was frightened at “

the tiiii**.” Poor Bob, 1 felt sorry for him, and c mid not help thinking that he had only acted in self-defence. 1 know him to bo a kind, inoffensive voung fellow, who always carries an .i.f Cwio.iate smile on his countenance. U.M. Martin dismissed the case, and remarked that he had simply and unintentionally struck in wlf-defeno*. Cast not a slur upon a dark skin nature

gave, But treat him as a brother when his dusky face you scan. He may he kind and noble and in battle equally brave. And’tis well that you rcmeuib* r: “ He's a brother and a man.”

.MUSIC’ HATH CHARMS.

Saturday night last in Wellington was unusually lively. Tho drapers were converting into cash Macarthur &. Co.’s, Sargood, Son, and Ewon’s stock, and tho streets wen* crowded * with people, many visiting tho shops to secure the bargains. Street uiusicans were in plenty, and stationed them selves ai close distances along the principal thoroughfares. The bril-liantly-lighted and tastefully-dressed shop-windows gave an aspect to tho scene that was delightful to behold, whilst tho mixed, coarse, and yet tuneful music rendered by barrel organs, harps and violins and flutes, and an automatic pianoforte on a handcart, with its forte sounds and imitation ) piccolo variations, reminded one of a South American Carnival. The people of Wellington are curious, and stand in groups around an organ-grinder. I have seen thoroughfares completely blooked by people who stood listening to an invalid woman churning a streetorgan. In large cities on the other side scarcely any notice is taken of the itinerant street musical “ pur fesshun” who gain their livelihood as above. Indeed, they are looked upon as a nuisance, and the police quickly order them to “ move on.” One of the organs (?) used on Saturday night amused the people greatly. It was b*ing churned by a poor blind man. The treble consisted of notes of piccolo pitch, which instrument they resemble in tone, if not quality, And the accompaniment is purely tonic and dominant harmony out of tune. I*ll bet that . blind man finds that instrument a valuable one, and highly remunerative, for lu must “ score” a few coppers where otherwise he would not with a better class of instrument. It is a perfect tormentor, it grates on your ears, and makes a person with a sensitive musical ear shudder and double quickly past beyond hearing distance. You can imagine what a treat the shop keepers have with tho sounds of this duetto - picoolo - organ • churns pianofortetically manufactured instrument. NOT SUFFICIENT ACCOMMODATION.

Mr and Mrs Durie, of the Lower | Hutt, came to town one day last week, j and unfortunately missed the last peI turn train for that place. They j sought boarding-houses and hotels in vain for a bed, and were finally com- | pel led to select sheltered spots in the ; Basin Reserve. Mrs Durie lay her j gingham by her side in case of a M night-attack” or “ surprise” by an j enemy of the masculine gender, and j took off her boots in order that she | might feel more benefited on the moc j row by her “ doss.” A man, however, approached her during the “ wee min' ’ours” and stated that ho was a police man in private clothes on duty, and promised that he would not arrest her, as she appeared to be a respectable woman, and that she must leave her domicile by 6 a.m. She said she would do so, but on awakening at dawn found her boots and gingham gone. A clue was obtained. Two young fellows were arrested, and sentenced to three months’ pick sudshovelling under the gangorship of Boss Garvey.

“ Too late ! too late ! ” the lady howled in anger to her Ben, 44 The train has gone to Lowei Hult—it went exact at ten.” 44 Just like you, wife,” old Ben decried. “ you dawdled in that shop, And now to make all matters worse, con-

found, it we mast stop.” Their steps retraced, they searched in vain, they couldn't get a bed. Hotels all full and not * place to rest an aching head. 44 Oh, dear! I’m mail to think that we

should share ill-luck in town,” The wife replied, but not u word Ben spake, but showed a frown.

44 It is those ranting temprance inen who ve played a high old game. Wo cannot get a bed to night—ain't it a scand’lous shame ? Where can we go ? Why don’t y OU speak, you fool, don't play your tricks, You know,” she said to hei Ben , •• we re in an awful fix.” They tramped and tramped together till the Basin catne in sight, And there they camped in comfort the remainder of the night. But when the wife awakened at an early hour at dawn, Sha found hsr boots and gingham goneyes, they were eoon in pawn. PotfSKK.