DOI issue:
April 13, 1889
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17687#0189
Ap.il 1.3, 1889.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. 179
“ONE GOOD TURN/’ &c.
City Man (to one of his Claries he finds fishing in his Ornamental Water). “ Look herf, Smithers, I’ve no objection to giving you
a Day now and then ‘ to attend your Aunt’s Funeral ’—but I think you might send some of the Fish up to the House ! ”
self to a nice strong pair of new ones. His Uncle described how,
when he was much younger than his nephew, he had begun steadily
saving up all his money to buy himself a gold watch and chain by the
time he was a young man, and how, on the very day he came of age, he
was able—thanks to his self-denial and foresight—to carry out his
ambition. He did not mention that both watch and chain had been
stolen as he was walking home from the jeweller’s shop, because that
would have spoilt all the moral. But the little boy was not attracted
by the idea, for he had a handsome sixpenny watch already, which
looked just like gold. Then an Aunt (who had not given him any-
thing) said that there were plenty of little boys and girls who had
nothing to eat? and no warm clothes ; but that, the Uncle said, was
all stuff, and if he gave away the money in charity he would only
be imposed upon, and do more harm than good. However, they all
agreed that he was a very fortunate boy, and ought to be exceedingly
careful what he did with his riches.
By-and-by, after he had listened for most of the afternoon to these
exhortations, I saw him come out without his cap into the winter
dusk, and walk thoughtfully down the garden-path, with both fists
thrust deep in his pockets. His little face looked grave and care-
ridden, anal could see that his responsibilities were already weighing
heavily on his mind. He took out all his money, and looked at it as
it lay in a heap in his joined hands—how they shone, all those bright
new florins and shillings and sixpences, as my rays fell on them ! I
thought he had come out to count them and gloat over them like a
miser, as he stood there at the bottom of the garden, which was sepa-
rated from an adjoining canal by a low wall. Suddenly, as if he had
at last made up his mind after careful deliberation, he tossed both
handfuls over the wall. I saw the coins flash for a moment in the
air, and then make little grey spurts in the blackish water before
vanishing for ever. He searched both pockets to see if he had any
more, and found a sixpence in a corner he had overlooked. That
followed the rest; and then, quite light-hearted and relieved again,
he ran back into the house, and informed his family of the manner
in which he had disposed of his wealth. They were all very angry
with him— especially the Aunt—and called him a very foolish and
naughty little boy; but I am not so sure,” said the Moon, reflec-
tively, “ that he was really so foolish after all! ”
WHAT MR. PUNCH’S MOON SAW.
TWELFTH EVENING.
“ There is a small boy I know very well,” said the Moon. “ He
is quite a philosopher in his way, but last Christmas he was in great
perplexity. It is the time of year when it is usual to present many
people, and particularly small boys, with pieces of bright new money,
as perhaps you are aware ? ”
(Mr. Punch owned that he
was not unacquainted with
the custom, and the Moon
proceeded:) “Well, this boy
had a large circle of friends,
and as most of them had
given him a coin of some
kind, both the pockets of
his knickerbockers were so
full that he could not run
about with any comfort. At
first he bad been very
pleased with the jingle he
produced, and exhibited his
treasures to everybody he
met—not as a hint to follow
the 'example, which I am afraid is sometimes the motive for these
artless displays—but in the simple pride of his heart. Soon, however,
this pride had waned, which was largely due to the persecution he
underwent from his family. They all told him that he was very
young indeed to have so much money—which was true enough, but
then he could not grow up any faster than he was doing! Next they
wanted to be. told what he intended to do with it all, and he had not
the smallest idea, which made it embarrassing.
“ But the worst came when they began to suggest various ways in
which he ought to employ his wealth. His Father said that, if he was a
really wise hoy, he should lay it out on some useful books which he
would learn to value more the older he grew. His Mother thought
that, as he had worn out so many boots lately, he ought to treat him-
“ONE GOOD TURN/’ &c.
City Man (to one of his Claries he finds fishing in his Ornamental Water). “ Look herf, Smithers, I’ve no objection to giving you
a Day now and then ‘ to attend your Aunt’s Funeral ’—but I think you might send some of the Fish up to the House ! ”
self to a nice strong pair of new ones. His Uncle described how,
when he was much younger than his nephew, he had begun steadily
saving up all his money to buy himself a gold watch and chain by the
time he was a young man, and how, on the very day he came of age, he
was able—thanks to his self-denial and foresight—to carry out his
ambition. He did not mention that both watch and chain had been
stolen as he was walking home from the jeweller’s shop, because that
would have spoilt all the moral. But the little boy was not attracted
by the idea, for he had a handsome sixpenny watch already, which
looked just like gold. Then an Aunt (who had not given him any-
thing) said that there were plenty of little boys and girls who had
nothing to eat? and no warm clothes ; but that, the Uncle said, was
all stuff, and if he gave away the money in charity he would only
be imposed upon, and do more harm than good. However, they all
agreed that he was a very fortunate boy, and ought to be exceedingly
careful what he did with his riches.
By-and-by, after he had listened for most of the afternoon to these
exhortations, I saw him come out without his cap into the winter
dusk, and walk thoughtfully down the garden-path, with both fists
thrust deep in his pockets. His little face looked grave and care-
ridden, anal could see that his responsibilities were already weighing
heavily on his mind. He took out all his money, and looked at it as
it lay in a heap in his joined hands—how they shone, all those bright
new florins and shillings and sixpences, as my rays fell on them ! I
thought he had come out to count them and gloat over them like a
miser, as he stood there at the bottom of the garden, which was sepa-
rated from an adjoining canal by a low wall. Suddenly, as if he had
at last made up his mind after careful deliberation, he tossed both
handfuls over the wall. I saw the coins flash for a moment in the
air, and then make little grey spurts in the blackish water before
vanishing for ever. He searched both pockets to see if he had any
more, and found a sixpence in a corner he had overlooked. That
followed the rest; and then, quite light-hearted and relieved again,
he ran back into the house, and informed his family of the manner
in which he had disposed of his wealth. They were all very angry
with him— especially the Aunt—and called him a very foolish and
naughty little boy; but I am not so sure,” said the Moon, reflec-
tively, “ that he was really so foolish after all! ”
WHAT MR. PUNCH’S MOON SAW.
TWELFTH EVENING.
“ There is a small boy I know very well,” said the Moon. “ He
is quite a philosopher in his way, but last Christmas he was in great
perplexity. It is the time of year when it is usual to present many
people, and particularly small boys, with pieces of bright new money,
as perhaps you are aware ? ”
(Mr. Punch owned that he
was not unacquainted with
the custom, and the Moon
proceeded:) “Well, this boy
had a large circle of friends,
and as most of them had
given him a coin of some
kind, both the pockets of
his knickerbockers were so
full that he could not run
about with any comfort. At
first he bad been very
pleased with the jingle he
produced, and exhibited his
treasures to everybody he
met—not as a hint to follow
the 'example, which I am afraid is sometimes the motive for these
artless displays—but in the simple pride of his heart. Soon, however,
this pride had waned, which was largely due to the persecution he
underwent from his family. They all told him that he was very
young indeed to have so much money—which was true enough, but
then he could not grow up any faster than he was doing! Next they
wanted to be. told what he intended to do with it all, and he had not
the smallest idea, which made it embarrassing.
“ But the worst came when they began to suggest various ways in
which he ought to employ his wealth. His Father said that, if he was a
really wise hoy, he should lay it out on some useful books which he
would learn to value more the older he grew. His Mother thought
that, as he had worn out so many boots lately, he ought to treat him-