PUNISHED AT LAST.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 37, 13 September 1890, Page 19

PUNISHED AT LAST.

One summer, several years ago, Mark Twain was at the sea-side. He had a very gay time and a very gay bathingsuit. He caused a sensation that season by his bathingsuit. It was the most gorgeous affair probably ever seen at a watering p'ace. Joseph’s coat of many colours could not compare with it. The author had his wife and little boy with him that season, and the bringing up of his son was a source of great worrinient to him. The boy was a full-blood little chap, high-spirited and prone to pranks. His father believed in severe treatment when occasion required, but the lad’s mother would never listen to it. The author and his wife had many animated talks over their son, but it was no use—Mark was not allowed to administer punishment of any sort to his offspring. One morning I met him on the hotel verandah promenading up and down, and laughing as though his heart would break. ‘ What is the matter ? ’ I asked. ‘ Oh, oh ! ’ he said in his quaint way, ‘ she has gone and done it.’ Then lie laughed louder than ever. He told me that his wife had arisen that morning and discovered that her son had taken a dress, and, after tearing it into shreds, had utilised it as a kite-tail. ‘ And for the first time in his life that boy of mine,’ said he, ‘ was given a spanking. He got the worst spanking that I ever saw a boy get.’