A READY WIT.

White Ribbon, Volume 28, Issue 328, 18 October 1922, Page 15

A READY WIT.

A very enthusiastic White Ribboner m Canterbury went canvassing: for honorary members, and met with th* following: experience:— THE STORY. An i nthusiastic worker for the \V.(\ T.l T . called one evening lately at the home of a friend and neighbour, who w;ts also a member of the I T nion, for the purpose of inviting the husband of the latter, who is a farmer, and also his ploughman, to become honorary members of the Union. The invitation was received very uood-humouredly. and no objection was made to paying the subscription fee. the cause bring admittedly good. When, however, il was understood that even "honorary membership" involved the -inning of the total ahstim.-r-e pledge, lH)th men drew’ Rack, and made variouex rtises. some of them frivolous, for non-compliance with this condition, although both are practically total abstainers. The Union representative, however, whom we will call the T T .R„ laid before them the advantages of signing the pledge, not only for them-

selves, but for the good example and influence they would have with others, and a very lively discussion took place for a considerable time. At length the farmer, who is a bit of a humorist, addressing his ploughman, said: "Well. Jack, it appeals to me that we shall have to do something in this matter, so I propose that we toss up the poker. If it comes down again, you sign the pledge; if it stays up, 1 sign it. The U.R., on hearing this, without waiting for Jack to agree, at once seized the poker, and tossed it up on to the top of a high cupboard, where it rested. She thereupon expressed her pleasure at getting at least one to sign the pledge, said “Good night.” and departed amid a toor of laughter from all present. She now proposes to hold the farmer to his bargain, seeing that his owm proposal was adopted.