UNKNOWN.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 168, 4 September 1886, Page 8

UNKNOWN.

A paktv of merry young men sit mound a banquet table Mi i hili(>'(»iejrory, having boen admitted to the bar, had itwited si number of his frieudd to join him in no "informal nffair.'' From an adjoining room, separated by a thin petition, came the almost ceaseless hum of a sewing machine. "This is the kind of an affair I like,' 1 said Bill Talbert, the prosecuting attox-ney. "At your- conventional banquets men bring their augurs and in turn bore each other ; but on an occasion like this, where no man arises in oratorical effort, no applause is expected ; no rivalry is felt." " Abanq-uet i-s intended to be enjoyed," replied Philip. " Set speeches, as you say, are tiresome. Gentlemen, don't bo backward, there's plenty 'of wine. Say, Anderson," turning to a friend, " sing us a song. Hush boys, Andersons going to sing," Anderson sang " Wait till the clouds roll by. " Then a young fellow named Peters recited tjle " Dying Year." The busy hum of the sewing machine came from the adjoining room. " Let's sing tfßinethinff we all know," exclaimed Phil. "Come, fellows." Thewh*» was taking effect. The boys were becoming noisy. "Old Kentucky Home, here we go." " Who's that making such a noi»e in the other room?" aßked Peters. "We can't sing with all that racket going on." " Dry up in there. Give us a rest, wont you ? " cried a dozen yoices. "It's a tailor, I believe," said Phil. "Confound him, there's time enough for •work during the day. Say there," striking the wall with his fist, " can't you stop that machine awhile, hah ! Can't you hold up with your confounded racket and let a party of gentlemen enjoy themselves ? '* No response. The machine continued an almost ceaseless hum. ?• That's an insult, Phil," exclaimed Anderson. "The devilish fellow knows well enough that we are trying to enjoy ourselves. "Say fellows," cried some one, "let's sing anyhow. Strike up, Anderson, and well- follow you. Let's all fill up first. Pass that bottle, please. Here we go." "No use to talk about singing here," said Anderson, putting down his glass. "As well try to vrhisper love in a boiler factory. I'm in favour of making that fellow shut up." " Probably he's at a piece of work that mUst be finished to-night," remarked Peters, turning to Phil.' '"No, I'll bet it's the result of his grasping _ disposition," Phil replied, "He's afraid he might lose a few bob." . " Tell you what I'm in favour of;" cried a young fellow earned Mills,- "I'm in favour of going in, therepand compelling him; to stop.' We have ' Wet here to" enjoy ourselves, but, ■ confound him, he is Spoiling the evening." u - ""i" r f' •' '" " We might pay him for his loss of time," some one sugges I fred^ i "TJuthe could not pay us for bur loss of 'enjoyment.'' * v ' o< > < " You e ave'riglit, ;? re joined "Phil: "Let's iro in boy 3 and tfcll hini lie hufst'stoti. He's' getting' worse instead* bfbetter. VWell, lei's j fill- up ! 'again" lEfere's' looking* at you, boys." " •' '- l>> - • The machine cseased its noise for a mo-ment,-then continued its busy hum. : '"Whored the door, Phil ?". asked Peters. • " We'll have to go into the next yard and •knock' at the door.": > ' 1 " Suppose he won't open it?" .-""' " We'll shove it in if he doesn't." ~ " Come on, -boys," said Anderson, * * I*lll load the way." l ' " Shall we knock ?" asked' Mills. . « '-'lt's unlocked,"' said Phil, turning the knob. '■ TKe door opened aiid the ten young fellows stepped into the room. "My God J" exclaimed -Phil, " comeaway:*' ' 1 In a' cbrner a', man lay. drunk.: On a •loiinge clchild lay dead: A woman safe at 'tho;machine; ? Tears were streaming down her face. She -was making" a shroud.