ANECDOTES

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue XII, 17 September 1898, Page 359

ANECDOTES

HE, TOO, MADE BOOKS. It is related of Mr F. Marion Crawford, the well-known author, that when he was making a tour of the States a few years ago, and was travelling through a rich agricultural region to fill an appointment at. a large town, a brisk-looking young man. with his hat on the back of his head, came into the ear in which the novelist was sitting, held out his hand and said in a most affable and companionable way: ‘I presume this is the celebrated Mr Crawford ?’ ‘My name is Crawford,’ replied the novelist. ‘The conductor told me you were aboard,’ rejoined the other. ‘Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Higgs. I am somewhat, in the book line myself, and I know how it goes.’ ‘You are an author?’ said Mr Crawford. ‘I am glad to meet you.’ ‘Yes. I have published a book regularly every year since 1890. ‘May I ask the name of your latest book?’ inquired Mr Crawford. ‘lt’s the Premium List of the Jones County Agricultural Fair,’ cordially responded Mr Higgs, taking a small pamphlet from his pocket, and handing it to him. ‘Allow me to present you a copy of it. I’m the secretary of the Jones County Agricultural Board. We're going to have the best fair this year we have ever had. Balloon ascension, Roman chariot, races, baseball games, and trials of speed on track till you can't rest. Come and spend a day witli us, and it shan't cost you a cent. Well, this is where 1 get off. Good-by, Mr Crawford. Glad to have met you.’ Wringing Mr Crawford’s hand again the genial secretary of the Jones County Agricultural Board pushed his hat a little further back on his head, strode down the aisle and got off the car, leaving the astonished author of ‘Mr Isaacs’ gasping for breath.

INDIAN AND TIGER. According to a good and true tiger story in ‘Cornhill’ an Indian who had learned some of the elementary principles of jugglery and contortion went out one evening- to walk upon a ridgy plain. When lie reached the top of one of the mounds he saw a tiger ahead of him, five or six hundred yards away. Before the man could hide behind a mound the tiger had seen him and began to bound towards him at its topmost speed.

Having no means of defence, there was nothing for the man to do but to race for the nearest tree; but though he tried it and put forth his utmost strength the tiger steadily gained upon him. What was he to do? In sheer desperation he resolved upon an unusual scheme. Just as he disappeared for an instant from the tiger’s sight, in running over a. ridge, lie halted, stretched out his legs at right, angels, curled down his head so as to look between his legs to the rear, ami extended his arms upwards in a fantastic manner, like the sails of a windmill.

In a few seconds the tiger hove in sight, and at that instant the face of the object assumed a hideous grimace. A prolonged yell arose, such as perhaps never before pierced the ear of any tiger, and the sails of the windmill began to revolve backward and forward as if a sudden whirlwind had burst upon the scene. The tiger recoiled. What, he evidently thought, is this? There stood a ferocious star-shaj>ed monster, gigantic against the sky. Its hideous head was situated in the very centre of its body; nay, its vice-like jaws, between which those fiendish roars were issuing, were actually placed above its two fiery eyes. Its limbs were furiously clamouring for action; and the man he had been chasing, where was he? Already devoured by this terrible beast? The tiger could not pause to reflect. He turned tail, and as he disappear'd over a friendly ridge, a Inst awful yell caused him to redouble his pace. He was conquered bv the unknown.