Too Much Simplicity.

Mention of the name of Mahoney in your May number by your contributor « T.L.M. » brings to my recollection a little incident that occurred in the Timaru Herald office a few years ago to a compositor hailing from the « Ould Sod, » and rejoicing in the ownership of a similar appellation. The individual had a « take » of telegrams, and was slowly threading his way through it, many a time leaning against his frame and gazing intently on the copy trying to decipher the words that failed to come quickly to his comprehension. At last he got to the end of the take, and, lo! the sub-editor in his carelessness had forgotten to erase the signature of the correspondent who had sent the message. After scratching his head for a time the individual suddenly struck a line for the overseer, and in childlike simplicity said:— « Please sir, shall I put the signature in caps or lower-case? » Mr Turner, a rugged, gruff old gentleman, but as honest as the day, and as true as steel, looked at him, and then quietly drew his pencil through the signature, and returned the copy. Then it suddenly seemed to strike the Irishman that he had made a fool of himself, and a look of sickly paleness crept over his countenance as he walked back to his frame. His simplicity was too much for the Herald, however, and he had very soon to fold his tent like the Arab, and quietly steal away.