THE TROUBLES OF A POET.

While Colonel Bangs was s tring in his office one day, a man, whose brow was clothed in thunder, entered. Fiercely seizing a chair, he slammed his hat on the table, hurled his umbrella on the door, and sat down. “ Are you the editor ?” he asked. “Yes.”. “ Can you read writing ?” “ Of course.”

“ Head that, then,” he said, thrusting at the colonel an envelope with an in scription on it. “B ,’ said the colonel, trying to spell it. “ That’s not a B ; it’s an S,” said the

man. “S ; oh, yes ; I see ! Well the words look like ‘ Salt for Dinner,’ ‘ Souls of Sinners,’ ” said the colonel. “ No, sir,” replied the man, “ nothing of the kind ! That’s my name, Samuel FI. Brunner. I knew you couldn’t read. I called to see you about the poem of mine you printed the other day, on the ‘ Surcease of Sorrow. ’ ” ‘*T don’t remember it,” said the colo nel.

“ Of course you don’t, because it went into the paper under the title of “ Smear case To-morrow.’ ”

“ A stupid blunder of the compositor, I suppose. “ Yes, sir ; and that’s what I want to see you about. The way in which that poem was mutilated was simply scanda lous. I haven’t slept a night since. .It exposed me to derision. People think me an ass. Let me show you.” “ Go ahead,” said the colonel. . “ The first line when I wrote it read in this way—

Lying by a weeping willow, underneath a gentle slope—

“That is beautiful, poetic, affecting. Now, how did your vile sheet present it to the public ? There it is. Look at it. Made it read this way :

Lying to a weeping widow, to induce her t elope. Weeping widow ! Mind you ! A widow! 0, thunder and lightning ! This is too much ! It’s enough to set a man crazy 1” “ I’m sorry,” said the colonel, “ but--” “ But look a-here at the fourth verse,” said the poet. “ That’s worse yet. What I said was :

Cast the pearls before the swine, and lose them in the dirt. I wrote that out clearly and distinctly, in a plain, round hand. Now, what does your compositor do ? Does he catch the sense of that beautiful sentiment ? Does it sink into his soul? N®, sir! He sets it up in this fashion. Listen : Cart my pills before the sunrise, and lose them

if they hurt. Now, isn’t that a cold-blooded outrage, on a man’s feelings ? I’ll leave it to you if it isn’t hard ? ” “It’s hard, that’s a fact,” said the Colonel. “ And then take the fifth verse. In the original manuscript it said, as plain as daylight : Take away the jingling money, it’s only glit tering dross. A man with only one eye could have read the words correctly. But your pirate up stairs there—do you know what he did ? He made it read : Take away the jeering monkey on a sorely glandering hoss. By George, I feel like braining him with a fire shovel! I was never so cut up in my life.” “ It’s natural, too,” said the Colonel. “There, for instance, was the sixth verse. I wrote : I am weary of the tossing of the ocean as it heaves. It’s a lovely line, but imagine my horror, and the anguish of my family, when I opened your paper, and saw the lines transformed into : I am wearing out my trousers till they’re open at the knees. That’s a little too much ! That seems to me like carrying the thing an inch or. two too far. I think I have a constitutional right to murder the compositor, don’t you ? ” “ I think you have.” “Let me read you one more verse I wrote : I swell the flying echoes as they roar among x'ne hills, And I feel my soul awaken to the ecstacy that thrills. Nowj what do you suppose your miserable outcast turned that into ? Why, into this : I smell the frying shoes as they coast along the bulls, And I feel my soul awaken to the etcetery that whirls. Gibberish, sir ! Awful gibberish ! I must slay the man. Where is he ? ” “ He is out just now,” said the Colonel. “ Come in to-morrow.” “ I will,” said the poet; “ and I will come armed.” Then he put on his hat, shouldered his umbrella, and drifted off’ down stairs.

A BABY SHOW.

Quiet, respectable, aristocratically decorous Nelson had a baby show on the 2nd, which passed off “with great success.” The little city will shortly be m the thick of a contested election—two solicitors (Pitt and Adams) meaning to struggle for the Parliamentary honours “ Sleepy Hollow has to confer. On. the baby and the election, “F ” in the ‘•'Evening Mail” thus remarks 1 That was a goodly show of big little babies in that fearfully hot tent on Thursday, and that they were as good tempered as they were good-looking was pretty clearly demonstrated by the absence of that “howling” which as I hoard a crusty

old bachelor gpßeis'Jse *9 unfailing indication of = • a lot of kids.” They tell • Rte‘ that famous Port political!, who so creditably performed the offices of showman and eneral order keeping in the Baby lent has ever since Wednesday been busily engaged in getting up a series of questions under the heading “ Natural Products— Is Immigration Necessary ?” with which lie is going to stagger the candidates on the hustings on nomination day. Another ind'vidual whom I met on the ground that day also appeared desirous of politically utilising the Baby Show. In a somewhat excited manner, and not alto gether without a merry twinkle in his eye he called me on one side and asked, ‘ Are Pitt and Adams here?” On my telling him that I knew that one at. least was absent from town, a disappointed look came over his face, and he said with a sigh “ Ah, one’s no good without the other, but if both had been here I d have made ’em go all round that tent and kiss every blessed baby in it under the penalty of losing a vote for each one they passed over.” °I congratulated him upon being unable to carry his abominable design into effect, as by so doing he would most certainly have laid himself open to a prosecution under the Act for the Preven tion of Cruelty to Animals.”

Steam Cultivation. The Tokomai riro settlers are considering the advisa bility of purchasing one of John Fowler and Son’s steam cultivators.

MftSffMM kpfffp J|i tlliijj

~ >. £*■*. -» -ji p ?Tf .4 *v &£& . «ij| 11



New Advertisements. FOUND, a Liver and White Spaniel BITCH, registered. Owner can have same by paying expenses on apply ing to JAMES BRADLEY, 257 Moore-street. WANTED, a steady COMPOSITOR. Permanency for a competent hand. ECHO Office. Miscellanuous. A SH BURTON ROAD BOARD FINAN CIAL STATEMENT, January, 1879. Receipts : 1878. £ s. d. Tobalanceatbank Jan. 1, 1878 ... 14543 *5 10 Miscellaneous re ceipts 5 2 0 1 Rates and rents... 1555 *3 10 General Govt, sub sidies, 1877-78 357 10 8 ( y z ) 1878-79 ... 1051 011 Land fund 994 1 10 4 Bank interest ... 4 2 7 4 11 Expenditure: 2 45 Business Notices. SPECIAL NOTICE. WE ARE NOW LANDING— Exp.s. “ Tongariro,” 8 x 1% Totara for Wells Ex “Clifton,” from Invercargill, 240,000 feet first-class Boards and Scantling Ex “Drover,” from Bluff, 120,000 ditto ditto Ex “ Wave of Life,” from Thames, 50,000 feet Flooring, Lining, &c. Ex “Flora,” from Kaipara, A splendid assortment of 95,000 feet Kauri Timber MONTGOMERY & CO. (Limited), CHRISTCHURCH, And EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. 16151 9 9 140 SII 7 10368 15 3



TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION. JUST RECEIVED, and on Sale Demy Deed Paper, ruled. Deed Parchment. Writing Inks. Pens, Rulers, &c. Cartridge Envelopes. WEEKS & DIXON, “EVENING ECHO” OFFICE, Easf St,, Ashburton.



OR R & CO. Would call Special attention to THEIR STOCK OF IRONMONGERY. A Fine assortment of Carpen ters’ Tools now landed. I RONMONGERY. Parties Furnishing should in spect our Stock of Plated Goods — TEA POTS, CRUET STANDS, BUTTER DISHES. TEA AND COFFEE SETS, TABLE CUTLERY, &c., &c., &c. IRONMONGERY. STOVES, RANGES, GRATES, FENDERS, and FIREIRONS. These Goods are imported di rect by ourselves, and will be sold at prices, below anything hitherto offered in Ashbur ton. I R O N M O N G E RY. Harvesting Tools— Hay Forks, Rakes, Scythes, &c. McCORMACK’S Reapers and Binders. No farm should be without one. Can cut and tie even if the Straw is only 9 inches long. No necessity for wire. BUY A McCORMACK, AND SAVE YOUR STRAW. 200 DOZEN HORNSBY’S PLOUGH SHARES, Landing ex “ Hurunui.” OR R & Co., EAST STREET, ASHBURTON,



- - H nm ■■if mL THIS PRINCII ALBERT BOARDING HOUSE AND DINING ROOMS, Wills Street, Near Railway Station, Proprietor ... ... Thos. Clark, Is how open for the convenience of Boar ders, Commercial Travellers, and the Public. The house is entirely new, and beauti fully fitted up with All Comforts. Every attention will be paid to patrons. FIRST-CLASS TABLE, AND TERMS LIBERAL. Families accommodated with private rooms. Breakfast, 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. ; Dinner, 12 (noon) to 2 p.m.; Tea, 5.30 to 7 p.m. MEALS— Breakfast or Tea, Is.; Dinner, Is. 6d. SERVANTS REGISTRY OFFICE. No Charge. FRANK BROWNE, Manager. CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO YOU ALL ! CHRISTMAS PRESENTS and NEW YEAR’S GIFTS in end less variety, at WESTON’S EAST STREET NOVELTY DEPOT. Those in want of New Novelties in Christmas Cards, GO TO A. WESTON’S. Gift Books, at all Prices, GO TO A. WESTON’S. > Albums, a Choice Lot, AT A. WESTON’S. Children’s Eooks and Fancy Stationery, GO TO A. WESTON’S. Silver and Plated Jewellery, GO TO A. WESTON’S. Beads, Fans, and all kinds of Ball Requisites, GO TO A. WESTON’S Piesse and Lubin’s, Gosnel’s and Rimmel’s Choice Perfumery, GO TO A. WESTON’S. All kinds of Fancy Goods, Books, Sta tionery, &c., go to A. W. WESTON, HAIRDRESSER, TOBACCONIST, AND BOOKSELLER, East Street, Ashburton.



PHOTOGRAPHY. MILLION PRICES. E. TEAGUE begs to announce that he intends reducing the price of Photographs for the Holidays to— Cards 9s. per dozen. Cabinets 255. ~ Notice. —This Gallery'wall Permanently Close on 14th" instant. TREVORTON BUTCHERY. begs to inform the JL public of Ashburton and district that he has commenced business as a BUTCHER, in his HIS NEW PREMISES, TREVORTON, And hopes by strict attention to business, combined with cleanliness and civility, to merit a share of patronage. KB.—None but the best quality of meat supplied. . Families waited upon daily for orders. 202 NOTICE. WEEKLY ' CUSTOMERS ARE requested to pay up all ARREARS, for the Evening Echo to the 4th Jan, 1879, to the Collector. In consequence of the large circulation it is found impracticable to send the collector. Weekly subscribers are there fore requested to pay the runners every Saturday after the above date. New quarterly subscribers should send in their names at once, commencing with the New Year. ‘ WEEKS & DIXON, Proprietors. Dec. 31, 1878. J. CAMPBELL, BOOT AND SHOE MAKER, MOORE STREET, EGS to announce that he has com lenced business, and is prepared to make every description of Boots and Shoes of the best material at moderate prices. To arrive—Boots and Shoes of every description at very low pi ices. Remember the address. 210 hams, hams. SPLENDID CHRISTMAS HAMS At om & co.’s



W. EIRTWELL, WHOLESALE & RETAIL FRUITERER, AND DIRECT IMPORTER FROM THE AUSTRALIAN AND TASMANIAN ORCHARDS. 104 LOOK OUT FOR NEW FRUIT ! J ]\d °° AR o °> WHOLESALE AND RETAIL • ; GREENGROCERS & FRUITERERS, REMOVED to EAST STREET, Shop lately occupied by Mr. Cambridge. Delivered to all paits of Ashburton. W. T. DAVISON, GREENGROCER AND FRUITERER, Wholesale and Retail. Fresh from Christ church daily, from one of the Largest Growers.* MOORE STEET, Ashburton. 47 Business Notices. NOTICE. HAYES’ TIMBER YARDS, ASHBURTON. IN consequence of the WAIM ATE MILLS having been BURNED, the above Yards will be Closed for about Six Weeks, until Re-Erection of same. Mr. F. Pavitt is authorised to collect all outstanding accounts until further notice. ALPHEUS HAYES, perW. H. COLLINS, Manager. Ashburton, Nov. 23, 1878. 67



COALS. COALS. COALS. ALL kinds of COALS & FIREWOOD delivered at the shortest notice in any quantities and at reasonable rates. GEORGE PARKER & CO., Springfield Coal Depot, 138 Ashburton. “HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY,” (As the man said when he returned the Stolen Sheep), AND, as we wish to PAY our BILLS, must respectfully urge that all Accounts due to the undersigned, be paid by the 6th of the month. Short Reckonings and Long Friends. TAYLOR & LILL, Bakers and Confectioners. East Street, Ashburton, 88 NOTICE. THE undersigned begs to give notice that in future all accounts must be settled monthly, and requests that no money be paid to any of the men in charge of the carts, but settled direct with him or at the shop.' All accounts overdue must be paid within one month from date, or they may be liable to proceedings without further notice. THOMAS HICKS, Baker, 89 Ashburton. BREAD. BREAD. BREAD 6d. per 4.1 b. Loaf. THOMAS HICKS, Baker and Con fectioner, Tancred Street, is now supplying First-class Bread, at 6d. per lib Loaf, delivered to all parts of the District, or at the Shop. . . . * note— THOMAS HICKS, THE PIONEER BAKERY, Tancred Street, Ashburton Winslow. GEORGE LADBROOK, GENERAL STOREKEEPER AND PRODUCE DEALER, BEGS to announce that he has JUST OPENED a General Store at Wins low, near the Railway Station, and hopes to merit a share of public support. A cart will wait upon families for orders regularly. Goods supplied at Lowest Current rates. Note the address — GEORGE LADBROOK,, . GENERAL STOREKEEPER, WINSLOW. December 3, 1878. /• 1 ‘ 98



WANTED a for one or two Also a HOUSEMAID. GOOD Li|INDKESS - 1 dayi) p 6? Apply T. QUILL. 256 WANTED, a respectable intelligent BOY as an apprentice to. Printing. ECHO OFFICE. WANTED, to Rent, for a term of 12 months, from January Ist, 1879, a Three-roomed COTTAGE, withi: a convenient distance of town. Apply early, “ Cottage,” ECHO Office.. 168 TO LET. ONE SHOP and Several Convenient OFFICES in our new buildings. G 4 SAUNDERS BROTHERS. LOST, a Dark Bay COB ; main cropped (badly cut) ; white face ; three week* missing. One pound reward to anyone returning the same to T. CLARK, 252 Trevorton. Tenders. TENDERS. TENDERS are required for Building Butcher’s Shop, Shifting Cottage, &c. Plans and specifications to be seen at Montgomery and Co. ’a store, East-street, up to THURSDAY, 16th January. 254 G. E. PIKE. Entertainments. Wesleyan Qhuroh ANNIVERSARY. AND CONCERT. TEA-MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, January ICth. Particulars in future advertisement. 199 Miscellaneous. ASHBURTON TEMPLAR HALL COMPANY (LIMITED). NOTICE. The annual shareholders' MEETING will be held in the Templar Hall on WEDNESDAY, the sth of February, at 7 ‘3O p.m. By order, 249 - K. SANDO, Secretary. PUBLIC NOTICE THE Westerfield Mill Road, by Mr. Sargent’s will be Stopped for Traffic until further notice. R. D. PULLAR, Clerk to Upper Ashburton Road Board. December 9th, 1878. 125 Meetings. SONS OF TEMPERANCE BENEFIT SOCIETY. rHIS useful institution meets every alter* nate Friday in the New Templar Hall, Moore Street. New members invited. All nformation can be obtained from Bros. G. W. Andrews, East Town Belt; K. Sando, East Street; Thos. Williams, Tinwald. Next meet ing on the 1 7th inst. * A. J. ANDREWS, R.S.



Business Notices. T. S. TUCKER, V T)AINTER, ri LAZIER, T)APER r J; Ur HANGER, AND GENERAL HOUSE DECORATOR, SIGN AND TICKET WRITER, Moore Street, near Templar HaiL Estimates given. 244 CHRISTMAS TREE ASHBURTON TOWN HALL. MRS. MOREY begs to intimate that, in consequence of the great rush on Xmas Eve, and the consequent disappointment of many of the ticket-holders, she has determined to hold another distribution ot CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR GIFTS, on January 30,1879. All persons hold ing tickets can have them exchanged for New Ones, or the Money Returned, oh application to Mrs. Morey. Fuller particulars in future advertisement. Bread. Bread. ANDO & OLSEN beg to inform thi Public that from the Ist January, 1879, their BREAD will be Sold for , ' sd, Gash, \ 'J ' • '' • from the Counter, and s|d. monthly accounts. wr