The Showman's Conversion.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1814, 31 March 1886, Page 3

The Showman's Conversion.

t A conversion rivaling that of the Escaped Nun ” and the Apostle Paul is said to have recently occurred in the Wairarapa, says the Star. It happened the other evening in this way. A benefit performance was about to take place in the Theatre on behalf of a well known jockey who had a bad spill at a race meeting. One of the energetic promoters of the benefit was the local theatrical lessee and village showman. The Salvation procession was marching towards their barracks, with banners flying and drum beating, followed by a numerous crowd, when a halt occurred near the Theatre to enable the captain to deliver the usual exhortation to backsliders. No sooner had the Captain finished a long sentence than the theatrical lessee in loud tones exclaimed “ Now friends you’ve got an opportunity to show your practical Christianity.” “ Come to the barracks to be saved ! ” sternly cried the Captain. “ Show yourselves Cbistians by help ” “ Our cause " broke in the Captain, A wordy war ensued, captain and showman both bellowing at the top of their voices, and trying to outyell one another. The crowd now rapidly swelled and from the midst of the tumult such exclamations as the following could bo beard, “ Poor fellow ! " “ Lost Simula ! ” “Broken Bones 1" “Souls Saved I " “ Hold your gab, you've had your say 1 ” “ Pray for him friends I ” “ Come to the Barracks ! " “ Come to the Theatre I’’ “ Shat up !’’ <£o., *c. The Captain had eventually the best of it. Mote accustomed to shouting, he kept up bis running fire till the lessee and showman, becoming exhausted, collapsed like a balloon. Then be exclaimed in clear ringing tones: “ Come to the hall, friends, you will get admission lot nothing. The hallelujah lasses will sing a duet and entertain you. Even the poor showman can come! ’’ There was loud laughter as the triumphant Salvationists resumed their march, 'but the sequel has to be told. It appears that the lessee has since thrown up his lease of the Theatre, and everybody is now looking forward to " the converted showman ” taking up bis position like a rising star among the Salvation warriors, who, in this instance, have effected a most decisive conquest.