The sun was setting behind the towers of the church of
Greenborough-on-the-Driblet.
[It must be clearly and distinctly understood that this village is not
intended to refer to any parish with the word "green" introduced in
the title--all incumbents of such livings being the most honourable
and distinguished of men.]
Two persons were bidding one another adieu. The first was a man in the
prime of life wearing a suit of tweeds.
[Please note that the name of the tailor is not given, and it is not
to be assumed for a single moment that this refers to any individual
in particular.]
The girl, for she was only a girl, wore a costume of almost
puritanical simplicity.
[Again no dressmaker is singled out for discussion. It is a purely
fancy portrait.]
They were both in tears. For the hour had come for their parting.
[It is necessary to state that by "parting" no reference is made to
any existing firm of hair-dressers.]
For a moment they were silent, watching Phoebus as he descended in his
glory of purple and gold.
[This refers to the mythical God of Day, and is not to be confounded
with a member of a well-known firm of manufacturers of blacking.]
Then they spoke to one another.
"ZOZIMUS," she murmured, softly, "and is this our last meeting?"
[The name of ZOZIMUS was selected for the hero because it is an
uncommon one, and consequently unlikely to be confounded with any
more frequently-used designation. If by an unlucky chance there _is_ a
ZOZIMUS, he is assured that the coincidence is purely accidental.]
"I am afraid it must be so, my ZULUWOLFA," was the heartbroken
response.
[Again the name has been chosen on the same lines as the selection
of ZOZIMUS, and the explanation above given may be taken as having
reference to both.]
"And so you are going across the sea in a boat?" she queried, trying
to smile, in spite of her blinding tears.
[No boat in particular is intended, and we have the author's authority
for saying that he has the greatest respect for every official
connected with the shipping interest.]
"Yes," he returned, sadly, "it is my father's wish, and I trust that
in a new world I shall find greater prosperity than I have been able
to achieve in dear old England."
[No reference is made in the above to any weekly publications,
although, perhaps the _World_ and _England_ may have been taken as
titles for Saturday journals. Before passing this passage, we received
the assurance of the author that he felt the deepest esteem for the
Editors of the periodicals thus inadvertently mentioned.]
"Well, my beloved, you will soon see me; and, dead or alive, I shall
be by your side in the spirit."
[This passage is not intended to single out any particular firm of
distillers]
"We shall meet again," he cried, pressing her frail form to his
breast. "Indeed we shall meet again."
[It must not be assumed that there has been a misprint in the
above passage, and that reference is made to any particular firm of
butchers.]
And so they parted!
(_To be continued in our next, after consultation with our
Solicitor._)
* * * * *
WITHOUT THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON.--A few days since the Justices
of South Shields sentenced a vagrant verging upon seventy years of
age, to fourteen days imprisonment with hard labour--a matter to which
attention was called when the Coroner held an inquest in the gaol on
the poor old fellow's body. It would be interesting to know the names
of these "un-worthies," so that they might be gibbeted as a contrast
to the sentiments that will prevail when Christmas ushers in a time of
peace and good-will!
* * * * *
A STORY OF THE SEA (_told on the Beach at Brighton_).--"Fine day for a
sail, Sir!"
* * * * *
[Illustration: A PROMISING FOUR-YEAR-OLD.
At the Meet he attracted no little attention.
When Hounds went away, he quickly assumed a prominent position.
Though his manner of taking Rails was rather risky,
Yet his Courage was undeniable.
He proved excellent at Water,
And his method of taking the Fox from the Hounds was novel and
entertaining.]
* * * * *