The Better Part af Valour.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue II, 11 January 1902, Page 88

The Better Part af Valour.

He was a dudieh little naan, but be had a loud voice, and evidently wanted everyone to know what he said. He had a companion who, be it said to his credit, seemed ashamed of the company he was in, and stood in the hotel rotunda. The little fellow was talking about Ireland, and he said many hard things about the country' and the people. A great big man stood near by listening to the little fellow's vapourings. He merely smiled until the little fellow said in a very loud tone: “Show me an Irishman and I'll show you a coward.” Then the big fellow slipped up, and, touching the little fellow on the said in a heavy bass voice: “Whats that you said?” “I said show me an Irishman and I'll show you a coward,” said the little fellow, whose knees were shaking under him. “Well, I'm an Irishman.” said the big fellow. “You are an Irishman? Well,” and a smile of joy flitted over the little fellow's countenance as he saw a hole through which he could crawl, “I'm a coward.”