THE OUTBREAK OF "HORSINESS."

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 11, 15 November 1919, Page 22

THE OUTBREAK OF "HORSINESS."

(From Melbourne "Punch.")

Caulfield Cup has been run and won. We are now right in the thick of the Spring season, when-horse is triumphant, and we spell the name of our country "Horstralia" : — For almost ten montlis of the year I hardly know a horse by sight, And what he eats I do not care; I do not trouble if he's right, Or if he's stiffer than a crutch. But comes a day When beasts that neigh, I find, concern me very much. I hear their names on every hand, The mania is in my veins. Performances I understand. I long to share the punters' gains. The sporting columns I peruse, And on the courses I back my horses. And pay my tribute to the Jews. I have some tickets, too, in Tatts., And neddies are my household gods. 1, from much worry, lose my fat, And curse the shortness of the odds. But" it will pass. That man, I swear, They cannot rate Intemperate Who only takes one Cup a year.

in honour of the bravery of an eighteen year old soldier who took a message through No Man's Land, iifter ton men had failed. Now a story I will tell you of a runner at the Front, An Army was sutrroutnded, who'd borne the Battle's brunt. The Captain said: "Who'll volunteer to take a message straight, To take a line through No Man's Land, or hit the Golden Gate." Then up and spoke a youngster, of years a bare eighteen, Ho stood before his Captain, with flashing eyes and keen, "I'll take the massage, Captain, I'll do my best or die, And if I fall —just send a line, to tell them where I lie." Ten men had tried before him, to cross the No Man's Land, Their bodies lay before him, for him to understand. But forth he sped with flying feet, the bullets swifter flew, He dodged red death at every stride, as near the goal he drew. He sped across the No Man's Land, like hail the bullets rain, His courage like a living flame, scorned bullets, wounds, and pain.. He reached the friendly line of hope, he told his comrades plight, Then back again through Hell he went, swift as an eagle's flight. He fell before his Captain's feet, to get his breath again, And told that help was coming, with daylight on the wane. The men, they cheered him madly, his Captain shook his hand, And nothing more did he expect for crossing "No Man's Land." —John H. Kingdon. <83 <£ ® Wearing purest white for her draperies, transparencies that define "flesh-garments" and the cool soft skin beneath. She veils her mouth and shows her eyes, and, clothing with silken webs her charming understandings, accomplishes the feat so cleverly that it is. a baffling business to know where simulation begins and fact ends.—Fashion Notes from Sydney. Eyes of sapphire, cheeks of roses, Cherry lips and teeth of pearl; In her bosom love reposes ; This is the Australian girl. Alabaster throat and shoulder. Dare or ardent gaze or frown, Questioning each dazed beholder, Which is girl and which is gown. When upon Diana bathing Rude Acteon blundered in, The goddess lacked the modern swathing Of transparent stuff and thin; And yet some girls at Sydney races (Oh! very pleasing to the eye In flimsy gossamers and laces) Wore not so different from Di. Cupid, riding on the breezes, Sets the draperies afloat; How the little fellow teases While spectators try to note, In the vision fascinating All a-flutter and a-whirl That before them's hesitating. Which is gown and which is girl. Amaryllis, poets, chanted, In the shade was wooed and won, Modern maidens all undaunted Do their sporting in the sun: Amaryllis'shepherd sought her ■ In the tender light of dawn; For afternoon Lucille has bought her A ticket to the Randwick lawn.

Fashion's surely on the razzle. Boldly making her appeals. From a costume built to dazzle By what it hides and what reveals: Still there comes the question mocking Where the draperies unfurl— Is it sweet or is it shocking? Which is gown and which' is girl? —Melbourne "Table Talk."