THE SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5256, 11 May 1895, Page 1

THE SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.

(English Paper.)

It was an evil-smelling ssreefc* fried ~3h, snueagoa and onions, and unwholesome pastry breathed out thoir fragrance invitingly to tho passers-by y ; In front of a small newspaper shop, with illnßtrations in the window, etood a msn in a brown overcoat that was rf-n-J b'hind from the waiet downwards. Tug flapa were wide apart, disclosing a thick lining of wool, He looked dirty, but warm »nd comfortable. With his hands in hi3 polsketa and a shorfc clay pipe in hii mouth heafazed intently at the prints . in . the window. Daniel Crow was hia name, and he wa^without specicl occupation. But this wa^ not exactly to bis mind. An extraordinary , run cf luck that morning .had pro.Tidei&hSm by-midday-with'the aum of 2-t Gd.flndhewasserioußly conafderiug if he could not start himself iu business. On theedseo? the pavement behind him a man had eet up his shop, and Daniel turned round to watch him. He waa a well-dressed man, aud evidently throve on what he aold. His shop consisted" of a small table and a large tin canister.

" Now, ladies and gentlemen," he Baid, "if anyone has a cough of indigestion, with painß in the arms, legs, t>Rck, or head, thete lozangoe* "—plunging bia hand into the iiu canister, and exhibiting its contents—" will effect an infallible cure. They aro made from bertm which I have found to contain the secret medicine of Nature for all the ills that flesh is heir to. But you raijr say, v?hy don't I take a bcrrow, a stall or a shop? Because I would have to sell at 6d, 2a Gd and 5s a box these lozenges which I now offer you for the trifling sum of ono pinny."

The sale was soon quite brisk, and Daniel watched the proceedingß with deepening interest. "See 'ere mister," aa?d Daniel, as the herbalist, prepared to ehiffc hia ground. "la this lozonge business a p'ying concern ? " " You mind your own business," the herbalist retorted.

" I ain't got any," saicl Daniel, unrufflbd by the other's impatience. " But I mean to act strita. Don't go fur to think I'm kiddin'. It's this w'y d'ye sae ? I'vo 'ml my eye on you." — " Speak ouS," said the herbalist. " What's your g&me ?"

" There ain't nothink the matter with me," eaid Daniel, heartily. " But I wan thinkin' to set up in the same line." — " Well, I don't mind helping you," said the herbalist, looking thoughtfully at Daniel. "There's five shillinge- worth of lozenges hero, but I'll let you have them for half-a-crown. It's equal to giving you the lozangea and tho half-crown back Bgain." "S'y two bob, and it's a bargain," said Daniel, placidly. — " Two bob be it, then," said the herbalist. "And' it's tha best bargain you've ever made." "They're worth four a penny, and the cilly bloko waß givin' 'em aw'y in 'andfulc" Somewhat at a los3 how to proceed, Diniel presently c&aie upon a email crowd collected on the kerb.

" Li^en^e-i fonr a penny !" cried Daniel. " Worth 'arf a crown opiece, and never known to fail."

" I'll make 'em fix a penny. W'ich is like throwing good 'ealth away."—" Lst'o 'ave a look at 'em," oaid a large woman, with a red, swollen face. Daniel gave her one. " Give us a fistful," she said, holding out a penny.

"Six a penny, marm," said Daniel, deferentially but firmly. "Six a p?nny 1" sho retorted, scornfully. "Six a penny! They ain't worth a 'alfpennj a dczon."

" They're good eafcin' and the*; 're good 'eslth," says Daniel, hotly. " And if they ain't worth six a penny Til pitch the 'ole lot into a mud-eart afore I'll sell 'em cheapor."— " Six a. penny," eays 'e, and V ll pitch 'em into a mud-cart j I'll pitch the dirty tyke in myself for the price of a drink."

" Give a feller a chanst, mother," aaid Daniel, feebly. " I give a big price for thom lozenges, and I can't sell 'em for nothink."

"He eays 'e paid for 'era," the woman laughed, "I believo 'e Etolo 'em from some pore wotnnn wot w»b iryiu' to make an 'ones -i livin', when . thia skunk crawled past aud sneaked 'em off her barrer." " Give 'or a fistful for 'er penny, and 'old yer paralytic tongue," said a gentleman in the crowd, whtae bair waa particularly well oils d and crowned sidowayn with a bowler.—" Who arst for jour advice ? " said Dmiel. "Answer 'im oa the beak, Cocky," cried tbe crowd. Cocky pushed his way up to Daniel and looked inqnirngly into his face as if it were a conundrum or a penny show, and then asked very politely if Df-ni^.l had been talking to him. " You ain'c buyiu'," said Daniel, fiercely. " Then don't fork, but stand by, and let them wot wants to buy 'ave a chanat." Hero someone pushed Daniel roughly forward, so that he camo into sharp contact with his opponent. Cocky retaliated by hittiug Daniel on that feature of his face which the crowd had"orip,iually>puggeated/ "'Old thia a minute," eaid Daniel, thrusting the

W. Etiiansk and Co.'s; good tailoring for fit, style and value ia unequalled.

I canister into the arms of the person nearest him. Then he went for. Cocky, head, feet and hands. Though handicapped by his coat, Daniel had the best of the fight. They came to grips, and tumbled; bnt Daniel waa uppermost. He had to be pulled off, and Cocky slunk away. Then Daniel remembered his lozenget. The canister was lying empty in the gutter; and a disinterested small boy informed him that the red-faced woman had gone away after distributing hia wares in handfula to those who had a liking for Bweets. "Strike ma blind! If I don't ope they're pisen," eaid Daniel, as he dejectedly went hia way to the nearest public-house, where he left the remainder of his half-crown.