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Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 13 October 1922, Page 7

At the Hawora Amateur Operatic Society's conversazione last "night opportunity was taken to present Mr. Thomas-.Harvey, producer of "A Country Girl," with a silver cigarette case iii acknowledgment of his .services to the society. Mr. 3. 6. Osborne, in making the presentation eulogised Mr. Harvey's Tvorth to the society, ' and mentioned that the gift was only a small recognition of his services."' Mr. Harvey returned thanks in a pleasant manner. A paragraph recently publisehd, narrating how a Foxton lady found a jewel in a package of .Epsom salts, brings to recollection the story of how a Dunedin chemist once found something much more valuable—peace of mind, perhaps a life—in a similar package (says the Otago Daily Times). This is how he used to tell the tale: "A wild-eyed\ and unha£ted man, His clothes smeared with mud, tore into my shop at a gallop and bustled me into a corner, and said in a- hoarse whisper, '"'Got any strychnine?" Luckily I kept my wits, and, auecting a fear of being overheard, I told him that I had two sorts, and asked which, sort he wanted. He replied that he wanted the sort that worked quickly; I remarked that it all depended on whether it was a cat or a dog that.it was to be given to. Then I trembled at my foolish answer, and became afraid he would see I was making fun of him; but he was too excited, and said he didn't care which sort he took. I observed with as grave an air as I could call up that I would show him the two sorts, and since he would not tell me what he needed the I strychnine for he would have to choose I for himself. I thereupon went into the I back room, opened out a package of' salts, and poured a spoonful on paper; \ then poured out some white sugar cryI stals on another paper, arid I took ( them out and told him to make his ■ choice. I forget which he selected, but j I know what I sold him—about half a : ! packet of the best Epsom, and I explained that he must not tell anyone, j but administer the lot in a little warm ' : water, and I had to smother my con- ■ science and charge him 7s 6d, so' as to t satisfy him that he had got the real '- thing. 1 have often wondered whether y he blessed me or cursed me when he sobered up.*"