MAC'S RUSE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14688, 21 August 1918, Page 5

MAC'S RUSE.

— — •- — r— — "Knockanui Mac," of the Wairarapa, is a loyal person of some financial eminence. The Wairarapa was seething with Red Cross activities, but it didn't seethe enough for "Mac." He thought the Sheep emperors, and beef kings, flax rajahs, and timber kaisers were slow in coming to light, so he mounted his car and went on a cash drive. He pulled tip on the road to talk to Michael Collins, a surfaceman. "Good day, Mick!" "G'day, Mister Mac!" "You're going to ' give ten pounds to the Red Cross, Mick," said 1 "Knockanui" with conviction. Mick started. "Me give ten pounds?" asked Mic*--. "I haven't got ten quid iii the world ; I've got a wife ' and six. children." "That's all right!", said "Mac,*" "you've got to go to the' meeting, and giv© five pounds for your- 1 self and five pounds for your wife — here's the tenner!'? Mick's eye twinkled iand he grasped the idea. He went to the meeting, and rose with tears in his eyes' and two fivers in his fist. " 'Tis only a poor roadman, I am," he said, "but I'll give all I've got. Here's a fiver from the wife-, and here's a- fiver fl'Om me, and it's only sorry I am the kids can't make it £50." The applause tvas deafening. A beef baron rose with u luwip in his ' throat and said, "I'll make that- £1000 of mine £2000!" A fla_c emperor begged' to' be permitted to add a nought to his cheque for £100. Aj mutton king fell over his feet in his hurry to get to the table to sign a cheque. Women sobbed and strong men, gripped the back of their seats. There was a^sound of rustling notes and scratching pens. If Mick had saidTinother word they'd have had to pass the hat round to collect the watches and rings, but he only sat still and sobbe r d. "Knockanui" sat solemnly by iand approved the proceedings. He was proud of that ruse — and',' evei/ when the people found out they didn^t chew- his ear off. "Mac" is now looked upon as a candidate for the Diplomatic Service.-— Auckland Observer.