A STRANGE ANIMAL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue XVI, 16 April 1898, Page 494

A STRANGE ANIMAL.

Miss Hannah Bascomb, a native and resident of a country district, was one of those people who have a firmly-rooted objection to displaying or even admitting their ignorance on any point whatsoever. She always held that‘folks that had good sense could gen’lly make out t’ get along ’thout lettin’ on what they wa’n’t quite as you might say downright* cert’in 'bout, in matters that they hadn’t took no special "count of. ’ This lielief of Miss Bascomb’s occasionally involved her in difficulties, and often led her to make amusing mistakes : but as she was happily unconscious of this latter faet, it did not in the least disturb her theory, or her peace of mind. At one time she was making a visit to her niece, and took the niece’s little eight-year-old daughter to the Art Museum on a tour of inspection. Her comments and criticisms on the various works of arts displayed there, hail at least the merit of originality. At last she stopped liefore the sculptured figure of the ‘ Dying Gladiator.’ ‘ M ell, Mattie,’ she said, addressing her grandniece, after some minutes of silence, • this is the greatest piece o’ oversight I've found here yet! I persume t’ say these art things have come in so fast the committee have grown keerless; for I peisume likely there is a committee t’ look after ’em as they come in !’ ‘ M hat’s the matter, Aunt Hannah *’ asked Mattie. ‘ Matter !’ said Miss Bascomb, indignantly. ‘ Matter enough, I sh’d say. Here's this piece o' sculpin' called “The Dyin’ Gladiator,” an’ there ain't no sign of a gladiator in it I The man that sculped it must 'a' lieen tryin" t’ play a joke on the committee, an' a pooty poor joke I call it,’ * What is a gladiator, Aunt Hannah * asked the little girl, doubtfully. ‘ Somethin’ very much the same as an alligator, child,’ replied her aunt. ‘ Just about the same as an alligator; you’ve got the picter of an alligator t’ home, yon know, in one o’ your liooks !’