WHAT BEFEL A MAN WHO WENT BANQUETTING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9232, 18 November 1891, Page 2

WHAT BEFEL A MAN WHO WENT BANQUETTING.

To yon and me, dear reader, who have read Hansard to our sorrow, says " Civiß" in the Otago Witness, and as a consequence are behind the scenes and know all tho appliances for the production of stage thunder, these political banquets are very melancholy affairs. But rely npon it, they have their uses or they would not be used; and no doubt to the unsophisticated public the thunder is very loud and very real. If Ministers get hard knocks it is a righteous judgment upon them, for they began it and the Opposition are only retaliating. Apropos or! Balclutha, a correspondent Bends me the following, which I print to show what may bofal a great man who goes a-banquetmg in a small town :— The banquet broke up about 5 a.m., and some hours later the orator of tho Opposition sought tbe professional services of the local barber. "Strong opposition last night, sir,** observed the barber as he lathered the orator and stropped the razor. " Yes. You were there, I suppose ? It's not often you have that sort of thing in Balclutha, I fancy, oh ? " said the orator complacently. " No, air; and a jolly good job, too. I was there, and it was awfully slow." '• Slow ! " exclaimed Scobie severely. " You bet," rejoined the barber. " Them political fellers would talk tho handle oil a iron pot. 'Ope you'll have a bettor 'oubo now they've gone. I'm acoming to-night to Boe you, sir," ♦• What the deuce does the man mean ?" spluttered Scobie, struggling with soapsuds and surprise. " Beg pardon, Bir," cried the barber, as a dim inkling dawned on him that something wae wrong somewhere, " but, oh, I thought you waß a Buffalo Ministrel, sir. Aint you?"