KIPLING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6467, 22 April 1899, Page 4

KIPLING.

c- — < ■ A NE'ER-DO-WELL'S PRAYER. I am only a. needy ranker who has BhippetJ before the mast, Thaking God I have struck a billet, and they aro casting off at last, For the stoker's got the steam up in the boilers down below, And the gates are standing open, and tilt shore-gang's letting go. There's the bosun snouting orders to bis newly-gotten crew, And we're hauling in on the for'ard spring, as the winches warp 'her through. But I shan't be over-cheerful as the foreland heaves in sight, For I'm sad at the thought that a life may pass, may pass this very night. For what if I peg out on the Miirchison, pi drown in tho Bengal Bay, Or what if I die in. on Arctic drift, a frozen castaway, Or . end at last in a, Bhanty spice, when a bushman " lambs " his cheque, Or thirst to death on the arid sand, astray " from an inland trek, Or what if I'm shot in the, 8.8.P. by Boer at Zulu bravo; ' ' The world has plenty of such as me, who go to the unmarked grave.. There aro thousands more who will rove along to work and fight and curse, But not so, Lord, with the ranker's friend, who cheered us all with his verse. "What matters who strike it rich and thriva away in Alaskan snow (The one in a million chance for us who roam where the rankers go). What matters who get in the lucky specs for wealth in the new Cathay, Or live for a spell of Idyllic bliss in Arcadian Mandalay. For these things neither will make nor ma* tho fame of the British race, But not so, Lord, with the man who holds our Empire Laureate's place. So hark, O God, to the prayer we raise, as a "moment wo pause from strife, A prayer from the ends of all the world for our Master Singer's life. JOHN A. BUTLER (In the London " Sunday Special."

" THERE'S A CHIEL AMONG YE TAKIN* NOTES, AN' FAITH HE'LL PRINT 'EM," has now become a saying so familiar that no apology need be made for introducing it; especially as it is intimately associated with tho Press, which has helped in publishing the value of Holloway's Pills and Oinfc. : ruent. "Tho cliiol that lias been takin' notes" for the past fifty yaars of the euros effected by these wonderful, remedies, has frequently informed tho public that they have, no equal. Ho has noted whoro lliey Bitv© . been successful when other remedies failed;and he has been particular in stating that at this period of tho year thoy are especially useful, as they cure or roliove dysentery, diarrhoea* all stomach and bowel disorders, bile and indigestion. — (Advt.) There is only ono sudden death among . women to eight among men. Mr Oliver Bainbridge, who is at present engaged in a walk round the world,. will arrive at the Christchuroh. Post Office at eight o'cloßk this evening, and will remain here for a few days. He intends to record the result of his travels in a book wheu he returns to Europe. # During bis stay he will address the children afc tho various public schools, tho Bonrd of Education having granted him permission to do so. Ho wilt give prizes to the children for tho best letters addressed to him. OnTnosday evening he will give an address upon bis travels at the Choral Hall, -