Waifs and Strays.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 237, 16 November 1877, Page 17

Waifs and Strays.

An English clergyman and a Lowland Scotsman visited one of tlic best schools in Aberdeen. They were strangers, but the master received them, civilly and inquired, " Would you prefer that I should speer these boys, or that you should specr them yourselves ?*' The English clergyman, having ascertained that to "speer" meant to question, desired the master to proceed. He did so with great success, and the boys answered satisfactorily numerous interrogations as to the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. The clergyman then said he would be glad in bis turn to " speer " tbc boys, and at once began, " How did Pharaoh die V There was a dead silence. In this dilemma the Lowland gentleman interposed. " I think, sir, the buys .are not accustomed to your English accent ; let me try what I can make of them." And he inquired in his broad Scotch : •• Hoo did Phawroah dee ?"' Again there was a dead silence ; upon which the master said, '• I think, gentlemen, you can't speer these boys ; I'll show you how to do it." And be proceeded : " Fat cam to Phawroach at his hinder end T' The boys answered promptly, "He was drooncd ;"' and, in addition, a smart little fellow commented, " Ony lassie could hae tcld you that."

Let us, therefore, be merciful, and imitate the cranes, who, when they set off for their appointed place, fly up to sonic lofty eminence ; in order that tlicy may obtain a view of the lands which they are going to pass. Tbc leader of the band goes before them, chastises those that fly too slowly, and keeps together the troop by his cry. Ah soon as he becomes hoarse, another takes his place ; and .all have the same care for those that arc weary ; po that if any one is unable to fly, the rest gather together and bear him up till he recovers his strength. Nor do they take less care of each other when they arc on the ground. They divide the night into watches, so that there may bo a diligent care over all. Those that watch bold a weight in one of their claws, so that, if they happen to sleep, it falls on the ground and makes a noise, and thus convicts them of somnolency. Let us>, therefore, bo merciful as tbc cranes ; that placing ourselves on a lofty watch-tower in tliis life, we may look out for ourselves and others, may lead those that arc ignorant of the way, and may chastise the slothful and negligent by our exhortations. Let us succeed alternately to labour. Let us cany the weak and infirm, that they faint not in the way. In the watches of tbc nigbt let us keep vigil to tbc Lord, by prayer and contemplation. — Antony of Padua.

A voluminous author was one day expatiating to Goldsmith on tbc advantages of employing an amanuensis, and thus saving the trouble of writing. " How do you manage it f said the doctor. " Why," replied the other, " I walk about the room, and dictate to a clever man, who puts clown very correctly all that I say, so that I have nothing more to do than just look over tbc manuscript and then send it to the press." Goldsmith was delighted with the information, and desired his friend to send the amanuensis to him next morning. The scribe accoidingly waited upon the doctor, placed himself at the table with the paper 'before him, ami bis pen ready, to catch the oracle. Goldsmith paced round and round the room with great solemnity for some time, but .after racking his brain to no effect, he put his hand in. his pocket, took out a guinea, mid giving it to the amanuensis, said : " It won't do, my friend ; I fiud that my head and. uiy hand muit work together.''