HE COULD NOT PLAY

New Zealand Tablet, 14 April 1910, Page 598

HE COULD NOT PLAY

One day a very down-at-heels-looking old fellow approached Dr. W. G. Grace, as he stood enjoying the cool of the evening at his front door, and politely touched his hat. In one hand he carried a tin whistle. 'Excuse me, sir,' said the man, ' T have to make a living, but I dare say you would rather give me a penny not to hear me.' The great cricketer laughingly parted with the coin, and the beggar, thus encouraged, came several times afterwards, and was invariably rewarded for not playing. One day, however, the doctor, feeling inclined to hear a tune, told the visitor he may play, ' just five minutes.' ' I'm awfully sorry, sir,' said the man with the whistle, as he commenced to sheer off, ' but I can't play a note!'