WHEN KIPLING WAS HUNGRY.

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 18 September 1912, Page 3

WHEN KIPLING WAS HUNGRY.

Had Mr. Kipling turned his attention to commerce of literature, perhaps he might* now be retained by some merchant millionaire as a writer of advertisements, at a colossal salary. After the .siege of Kimberley he was staying with Mr. Rhodes at a charming little fruit farm near that town. One morning it occurred to Mr. Rhodes to take a stroll round the orchards for a little while before breakfast. As Mr. Kipling did not feel like walking he stayed behind. Time went on and the idea came to the jauthor that .breakfast would be desirable. But there was no sign of his host. As a matter of fact, Mr. Rhodes, as was usual with him, had become so interested in the matter in hand that he had quite forgotten the passing hours, and it was nearly 10 before he remembered his starving guest, and hurried homewards. "What's this, sir?" said the manager, suddenly pausing before a tree. Upon it was pinned a sheet of paper bearing in large black letters: "Famine!" The next tree was also decorated: "We are starving; feed us." Nearer tho house they came upon a larger sheet with these words in huge type: "For the human race. Breakfast. Purifies the mind: invigorates the system. It has sustained thousands: it will sustain you. See that you get it.", Finally, upon the front door was an enormous placard; "Why die when a little breakfast prolongs life?"