Hoist With His Own Petard.

Evening Post, Volume XLIV, Issue 46, 23 August 1892, Page 3

Ho ist Wi th Hi s Ow n Pet ard.

— ♦ In a case heard a fow days ago in tho Sydney District Court, the plaintiff met with an unpleasant surprise. He had gone in tho box and given himself ever so nico a oharacter— had no bad habits, didn't cheat or Bteal, or evon act in any other than an honourable manner. Suddenly he was confronted by an old letter written to his wife, and was asked to idontiiy the handwriting on the envelope. He wanted to see the inside, but permission was refused, and he identified the writing in tho address. Then tho letter was read. It dosoribed the good man's advontnros at an up-country race meeting, and tho essential portion of it is quoted bolow : — " Dear Wife— l wirod yon .£5 from hero to-day, so that you would bo all right for tho ront and loan. Send 10s to them. Wo had a very bad timo the first day. Every absolute favourite won, leaving us with £& betwoon Us, so things looked very black. But at night things took a change. A man who backed with us met us at tho hotel, alid asked us how mnch wo had to givo him. I laughed and said, ' Give yon? Supposing you gavo me J24 instead that would be moro like it.' He did not owe us a penny, but ho said, ' Yes, I think that is risjut, I will givo it you in tho morning.' You may bot I was down in town next morning on tho look out, and got tho £i as easy jib kiss your hand. By Jovo ! that altered things, I can toll yon. Anyway wo wont to tho courso, and ovory favourite won again. Would not lay some, and backed others, so that wo got all our money back and moro on the meeting, aftor paying all (expenses M), .£l5. I send you -£5." Tho lottor had been carelessly left in tho house which tho plaintiff occupied as tenant nt tho timo. and a distraint for tho rent of which was the cause of tho pvcsrnt action. His faco as the letter was read was a study.