DONE.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2278, 15 September 1899, Page 5

DONE.

A certain man named George was one day arrested by county court bailiffs on a wairant for debt, but being up to a thing or two he contrived cleverly to evade them and escape. He espied a gentleman with white neck cloth and broad cloth suit com ing along the street on the other side, when he said to the bailiffs, " there's my uncle coming. I should not like him to see me in disgrace, and if you will allow me a word with him he will probably pay my debt and release me." The bailiffs thinking more of the probability of a settlement than of taking the man to prison, allowed him this privilege, and respectfully hung back a short distance. Now George had neve' seen this preacher before, so he said in a confidential tone, " Here's two men who have a doubt of a philosophic nature. They applied to me, but not being very proficient, it struck me a few words from you might ease their minds." " Let them come forward, ' said the parson, speaking up, and looking at the bailiffs, " I will satisfy them." The bailiffs heard this, and George whispered, " it's all right." " Now, my friends," said the parson, " tell me your difficulty." " It's only a matter of £5 10s. including costs." They showed him the warrant to convince him. " But," said he, " I was told you had religious doubts you wanted satisfying." " Our only doubt," said they, " is about this debt, which you said you would satisfy." " But why should I pay a stranger's debts," asked the parson. "Stranger! You're his uncle, aren't you ?" " Uncle, do you say ; 1 never saw the man before." " Duped," groaned the bailiffs. And when they looked round their prisoner had fled round the corner, and was never seen again.