An Election Stumper Stumped.

Observer, Volume X, Issue 621, 22 November 1890, Page 9

An Election Stumper Stumped.

Some time during the past moDth, a candidate for Mannkau was on the stump and the booze at the same time. There appears to be an affinity between stump and booze ; they are evidently sister arts, and usually go arm-in-arm. Stump pure and unadulterated, or without the admixture of booze, in usually vapid and colourless. Only flavour it with a little booze, and it immediately has force and colour, and becomes a thing of beauty and a joy as long as it lasts. Well, it appears the would-be member, with his satellites, had been comparing notes at Host Ternahan's, and, after having moistened their cJay and aired their eloquence, they parted, as all mortals must (in using the word mortal I do not apply a Scotch meaning thereto). The path of the candidate led him paßt St Mary's R.C. Church. Scoria walls had not afforded our statesman much holding room, and the picket fenco around the sacred pile was as welcome as an oasis in a desert. He clung to it, and it saved him from the indignity of prostration. The vespers being over, the congregation poured forth, with the priest bringing up the rear. His eye caught the form of a man leaning against the fence, and, approaching him tenderly, he inquired after his health. 'My poor man,' he said, ' are you unwell ? Can I assist you ?' The candidate looked up, when who should be there, ready to help him in the flesh and in the spirit, but the Rev. Father Paul ! There was mutual recognition, and a shake of the hands ; a pleasant smile played round the lips of the candidate, and he said—' Hie— ole man— awful glad to meet you. Been 'lectioneering — hie. By-the-way, did you ever get an answer to that letter you wrote to the Corinthians ?' He meant the other Paul.