A Hard Winter

Dutïing the drizzle yesterday afternoon there was a choice crowd of oíd citizens under the pórticos of the City Hall, and ono such group was joined by a threadbare stranger, who scratched his itcliing back against the carving on ono of the pillars and asked: "Gentlemen, is tliis going to be a hard winter?'? "It is!" replied evcry man together. "Work will be scarce and provisions high, eh?" " Y ca," they replied. "Weather will be so all-lired cold that water will burst all the waterpipes, IsupposeP" " Yes, it will." "Won't be any show for oor man like me?" "Kot a bit." "I'd probably frseze to death while looking fora job?" " You would- you wouldt" "AVell, that's wliat I tliought, and I want to arrange to go to the work-house for three months. t don't want to go over as avag, because that's lo w-down. I'd rather be charged with assault and battery. Will one of you gentlemen please let me euff off his hat and then askthe officer to arrest me?" Af tersóme hesitation one citizen with more philanthropy than the others stepped out. Ilis plug hat was jammed olear down to liis top vest-button at a blow, he was knocked right and left by cuffs on the head, and as a climax was whirled around and given several kicks which weighed íiíty pounds apicce. "There!" said tho stranger, as he shut off steam and slowedup. " That ñxes both of us, you' 11 rcniember me and I'll remember you, and you may eall an officer." Some of the group called one out oí the corridor, but the officer said he could not make sneh an arrest unless he saw the tight or liad a warrant. "Verywc'U," replied the stranger, as he moved off, "I am willing to submitto your matnrer judgment and experience.-andl can't wait here all day! Good-bye, prophets! I think my best way will be to get into Canada and leave yonr hard oíd winter to run