HOBBIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16895, 21 November 1922, Page 6

HOBBIES.

t fßy WALT MASON). g When one retired from active life, g from all its turmoil, stress and strife, s’ to spend his closing years, some silly fad he must, pursue, some hobby he must keep in view, or he’ll be soaked tl in tears. For idle days drag slowly by h t-o one who made the gravel fly in time j l< of pep and strength; and he will find i a hobby pays; it gives some charm to j empty days, and will reduce their - length. I am collecting stovepipe hat* j once worn by famous plutocrats, and seers and poets meek ; I have the lid that Lincoln wore when he was clerking in a store at seven bucks per week. ti| Collecting bonnets drives away the dust, the mildew and decay that years accumulate, and oh. it fills my heart p with smiles, to view ray stock of 0 storied tile.s. the kellys of the great. S Now. where I live old men are thick, tc thev rest, the ancient, tired and sick, beside the ocean blue, and when the n sea has lost its charm, the c>id boys ™ view things with alarm, for they have naught to do. I tell them that collect- dj ing oats, or overshoes, or srtopepipe hats, or tin tobacco tags, will make a j them all seem young again, these old tc and haggard, weary men. eo time flu jr longer drags. But they were used to e( large affairs, when in their oldtime S e city lairs, they don't, know how to j play ; and so they yawn and murmur, cc “ Rats !” while T go on collecting hats gi] to drive the gloom away. c {-