Australian Tales - Setis

the utter bewilderment of poor Mrs. Cobbrer, whose house was filled to
overflowing, and the contents of many cooks' shops were necessary to
feed the hungry guests.
Mr. Spindles made his debût as a speaker that night; and in returning
thanks for an appropriate toast to his honour, he, among many
noteworthy sentiments, remarked emphatically “that he had never spent
such an exciting birthday since the day of his birth.”
* * * * *
Soon afterwards Jasper and Joey went into partnership; and in a few
years the firm of Spindles and Goosgog was reputed to be wealthy.
Wealth and wisdom are often supposed to be associated, and Mr.
Spindles was waited on by a deputation, requesting him to represent
them as Member of Parliament for East Sydney. They declared their
unanimous opinion of his fitness for the work and honour, in such
forcible terms, that his doubts began to dissolve. He smirked and tried to
look modest, while his long face was flushed with new pride. He was
about to express his willingness to exert his talents for the publie good,
when Mr. Goosgog stepped quietly up and whispered in his ear,
“Remember Bondi Bay, and the pony chaise.” Jasper was startled at the
salutary hint, but so far from getting cross, he smiled pleasantly at his
partner, and manfully confessed to his admiring friends, that he was
totally ignorant of political science, for which simple reason, he must
decline the honour of representing them in parliament.
There are many eager aspirants for legislative honours, who know as
little of political economy as Jasper knew about driving a pony, and if
they will follow his prudent example, and leave parliamentary seats for
able men to occupy, they will confer a great benefit on the community,
and perhaps save themselves from Aaron Horseradish's “black pepper,”
in the form of public contempt and ridicule.