THROUGH ROSE-COLOURED SPECTACLES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 44, 31 October 1891, Page 548

THROUGH ROSE-COLOURED SPECTACLES.

The famous Sheridan, who was no mean apostle of the creed of cheerfulness, had a servant who in this particular rivalled the immortal Mark Tapley. Sheridan used to tell this story of him with great unction : —‘ One day he took Michael on a shooting expedition, and after an hour’s tramp over the moor they started up a bird. Sheridan fired, and the grouse escaped. “ Faix, masther,” cried Mick, “ put the length o’ your thumb lower an’ ye’d ’av tuck the head off of him.” Presently another bird sprang up, and off went Sheridan’s gun. “ Gannis, masther, the black o’ yer nail higher up an’ ye’d ’av tuck off his feet, ye would !” Sheridan smiled at the compliment, and wondered what Mickey could have to say the next time. He hadn’t long to wait; for, pretty soon, up flew a third grouse, with the same harmless result of the orator’s shot. “ Bedad, masther,” exclaimed the irrepressible Michael, “ye made him lave that, anyway I”