ONE TO THE LITTLE 'UN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6072, 8 January 1898, Page 6

ONE TO THE LITTLE 'UN.

It was in the smoking-room of the hotel. There was one big fellow who was ' blustering a great deal, and telling of how many duels he had fought, and behind him sat a small man reading a magazine. " Sir.! " said the big man as he wheeled around, ''-what Would 'you do if 6haU .longed?!" ./';.,-■ V " Refuse'to fight," was the quiet refply.. "Ah! I thought ns much. Refuse and be branded .a coward! What if a gentleman offered you the choice of a duel Or. a public horse- whipping, then whatP" " I'd take the whipping." " Ah— l thought so— thought so from the looks of you. Suppose, sir, you had foully slandered me?" " I never slander." "Then, sir, suppose I had coolly and deliberately insulted you ; what would you do ?" " I'd rise up this way, put down my book this way, and reach over like this, and take him by the nose as I tako you, and give it a three-quarter twist— just so !" When the little man let go the big man's nose, the rest of the company held their breath, expecting a terrific scene. But the big man turned rod— then palethen looked the little man over, and remarked: — " Certainly —of courae — that's it exactly !" And then the conversation turned on the general prosperity of the country.