CURIOUS ANECDOTES

Dunstan Times, Issue 2482, 24 May 1909, Page 3

CURIOUS ANECDOTES

A peasant once presented himself at the third section, or .secret police department, in St. Petersburg, and demanded a hundred roubles as the price of a certain communication. The money was promised on condition that the facts were not already known to the police. When the peasant had finished, the agent called his secretary from behind a screen, desiring him to bring such and such a document and to read it aloud, [t was the peasant's story, word for word. " Well, I can’t make that out,” he said, aghast, as he went out, " for I invented the story myself.” The secretary had written ehind the screen while the peasant spoke. A story told of Bakkoush, in Tunis, was this: Many years ago one of the Bey’s Ministers, in a thoughtless moment, promised him the Order of the Nischan. Upon going to claim it he was refused. Bakkoush intimated that he was willing to accept the Order or a sum of money, but that, failing both, he must complain to the Bey. Eventually his feelings were assuaged by a handsome present. This is not so good as the German soldier who had distinguished himself during the war with France. He was offered the choice of the Iron Cross .or twelty-five thalers in money. He asked the intrinsic value of the Iron Cross. They told him about four thalers. “ Well,” he said, " 1 tell you what I will do. I will take the Iron Cross, and twenty-one thalers. Leo tells a good story of the Tripolines’ capacity for business Tripolis was surprised by a 11 Genowaies (leete of twenty sailes, whereof (he King of Fez, then Ruler of Tripoli, being advertised, gave the Genowaies fiftie thousand ducates upon con sideration that be might gaine the towne 'n peace. But ibe Genowaies having surrendered the < nvne, perceived after their departure that most part of the ducates were counterfeit.”

'l'hese glorious days Have passed: but Tripoli may take courage, she has children not unworthy of her traditions.— lien's " Country of the Hoorn."

The near future is always A joflg way off, gets itwfc , •